Author Description

Product Description At eight years old, Tani Adewumi, a Nigerian refugee, won the 2019 New York State Chess Championship after playing the game for only a year―and while homeless. His story is full of miracles and hope.Tani and his family's amazing story began amid Boko Haram's reign of terror in their native country of Nigeria. They fled their home to the United States, where they lived in a New York City homeless shelter as they waited to be granted religious asylum. Tani began attending PS 116, where his classmates were unaware that he and his family had no home. So when Tani asked his parents if he could join the chess program at school, which required a fee, it seemed unlikely. But his mother wrote to the coach, who offered Tani a scholarship.This adaptation focuses on the portions of Tani's story that will most interest young listeners: the struggle of leaving his comfortable home and moving to a new country with nothing; living in America as a homeless family; having no TV, no games, no money; wanting a place for his mom to cook meals and a refrigerator where he could get a snack whenever he was hungry; going to a new school; meeting a teacher who taught him the game of chess, which allowed him to learn, compete, and experience the pressures of the game and the ultimate joy of winning. About the Author Tani Adewumi is the winner of the 2019 New York State Chess Championship at the age of eight. Despite having only played the game for a year before the tournament, he overcame numerous obstacles to accomplish all that he has. A Nigerian-born refugee, he remained homeless while going to school and was able to receive a scholarship to play chess. Craig Borlase is a bestselling British author and collaborative writer of more than forty-five books. He specializes in memoirs, and his most recent book is the New York Times bestseller Finding Gobi with Dion Leonard. Ron Butler is a Los Angeles based actor who works regul