Synopses & Reviews
The “astonishing” (
The New York Times Book Review) and “inspirational” (
Shelf Awareness) true story of Phiona Mutesi—a teenage chess prodigy from the slums of Uganda—soon to be a major motion picture starring David Oyelowo and Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyongo.
One day in 2005 while searching for food, nine-year-old Ugandan Phiona Mutesi followed her brother to a dusty veranda where she met Robert Katende. Katende, a war refugee turned missionary, had an improbable dream: to empower kids in the Katwe slum through chess—a game so foreign there is no word for it in their native language. Laying a chessboard in the dirt, Robert began to teach. At first children came for a free bowl of porridge, but many grew to love the game that—like their daily lives—requires persevering against great obstacles. Of these kids, one girl stood out as an immense talent: Phiona.
By the age of eleven Phiona was her countrys junior champion, and at fifteen, the national champion. Now a Woman Candidate Master—the first female titled player in her countrys history—Phiona dreams of becoming a Grandmaster, the most elite level in chess. But to reach that goal, she must grapple with everyday life in one of the worlds most unstable countries.
Filled with aspiration, determination, and belief, The Queen of Katwe is a “remarkable” (NPR) and “riveting” (New York Post) book that shows how “Phionas story transcends the limitations of the chessboard” (Robert Hess, US Grandmaster). This is “a must-read for all who dare to dream” (Library Journal, starred review).
Review
"A must-read for all who dare to dream." Library Journal (starred review)
Review
"A moving and universal story of the power of potential and the wonder of perseverance. This story will inspire you--and will make you wonder how many more Phionas there are among us."--Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, New York Times-bestselling author of The Dressmaker of Khair Khana
Review
"This story of a young woman's triumph over the unimaginably cruel fortune she was born into would pierce a heart of stone."--Hillary Jordan, New York Times-bestselling author of Mudbound and When She Woke
Review
“The Queen of Katwe is one of the most inspiring, thought-provoking, humbling books Ive ever read. Its a must-read for any chess player, woman, athlete, or frankly anyone who knows any of the previous three, aka everyone!”--Siva Sankrithi, Math Teacher & Chess Coach, Lakeside Upper School, Seattle, WA
Review
“The Queen of Katwe is gripping. We witness Phionas incredible evolution as a player, as she competes against older and far more experienced competitors. It also offers readers a fascinating look at a war-torn and struggling nation, as well as the unlikely story of how her mentor Robert Katende, a refugee of Ugandas civil war, has created a flourishing chess program for kids in one of Africas most treacherous slums. This story has the power to inspire girls everywhere."--Alexandra Kosteniuk, Grandmaster, 12th Women's World Chess Champion (www.chessqueen.com)
Review
"Moving.... A poignant reminder of the power of hope." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"The Queen of Katwe is an extraordinary account of one young womans exceptional achievement. It is also a lament for this world in which only a tiny number of incredibly fortunate and exceptionally determined children have any chance of escaping the dehumanizing poverty that prevails in Katwe and places like it." Bill Littlefield, host of " Only a Game " on National Public Radio
Review
“Its a story almost too uplifting to believe… Crothers tells Phiona Mutesis story in a crisp, reportorial style, but its nearly impossible to read the book without a strong emotional response… Inspiring.” Booklist
Review
"The Queen of Katwe Tim Crothers gives us an inspiring and heart-wrenching story." Chessville.com
Review
"An inspirational profile of an amazing chess player from one of the world's worst slums." Shelf Awareness
Review
"Phionas story ... will break readers hearts. Phionas perseverance, courage, faith, and hope will have the very same readers rooting for her success." School Library Journal
Review
"Part of Crothers's achievement is his presentation of the terrible circumstances millions of people battle every day to sustain themselves and feed their families, nearly all of them lacking the bright, improbable possibility provided by Mutesi." The Boston Globe
Review
"Tim Crothers powerfully captures the crushing poverty in which Mutesi and herfamily still live." The Age (Australia)
Review
"Phionas story transcends the limitations of the chessboard--her life not confined to the miniature pieces that her hand glides from her side of the board to attack her opponents king. No, Phiona succeeding at chess, like the fight to become great athletes for so many impoverished people around the world, has been a game for her life." Robert Hess, U.S. Grandmaster
Review
"Riveting."
Review
"[A] remarkable story." New York Post
Review
"Wonderful.... A story of resilience and creativity in the midst of immense need." NPR, - " - Tell Me More - "
Review
“So compelling… Crothers writes the story matter-of-factly ... reserving judgment and bias…. It beckons the reader to wonder at the possibilities that lay before Mutesi, and it reminds us of the harsh reality in which she continues to live.” ForeignPolicy.com
Review
"Astonishing."
Review
“This extraordinary story will stop you and make you want to count your blessings! It confirms how the strength of the human spirit and determination can prevail. Tims portrait of Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi offers hope and inspiration to all humankind.” New York Times Book Review
Review
“Phiona Mutesi is [a] young star…. An incredible story."
Review
"Riveting." The Sports Quotient
Review
"Astonishing." Charleston Post Courier
Synopsis
Soon to be a major motion picture starring Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong o and David Oyelowo, directed by Mira Nair.
The astonishing (The New York Times Book Review) and inspirational (Shelf Awareness) true story of Phiona Mutesi a teenage chess prodigy from the slums of Uganda.
One day in 2005 while searching for food, nine-year-old Ugandan Phiona Mutesi followed her brother to a dusty veranda where she met Robert Katende.
Katende, a war refugee turned missionary, had an improbable dream: to empower kids in the Katwe slum through chess a game so foreign there is no word for it in their native language. Laying a chessboard in the dirt, Robert began to teach. At first children came for a free bowl of porridge, but many grew to love the game that like their daily lives requires persevering against great obstacles. Of these kids, one girl stood out as an immense talent: Phiona.
By the age of eleven Phiona was her country s junior champion, and at fifteen, the national champion. Now a Woman Candidate Master the first female titled player in her country s history Phiona dreams of becoming a Grandmaster, the most elite level in chess. But to reach that goal, she must grapple with everyday life in one of the world s most unstable countries. The Queen of Katwe is a remarkable (NPR) and riveting (New York Post) book that shows how Phiona s story transcends the limitations of the chessboard (Robert Hess, US Grandmaster)."
Synopsis
Now a major motion picture starring Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo, directed by Mira Nair. The "astonishing" (The New York Times Book Review) and "inspirational" (Shelf Awareness) true story of Phiona Mutesi--a teenage chess prodigy from the slums of Uganda.One day in 2005 while searching for food, nine-year-old Ugandan Phiona Mutesi followed her brother to a dusty veranda where she met Robert Katende. Katende, a war refugee turned missionary, had an improbable dream: to empower kids in the Katwe slum through chess--a game so foreign there is no word for it in their native language. Laying a chess-board in the dirt, Robert began to teach. At first children came for a free bowl of porridge, but many grew to love the game that--like their daily lives--requires persevering against great obstacles. Of these kids, one girl stood out as an immense talent: Phiona. By the age of eleven Phiona was her country's junior champion, and at fifteen, the national champion. Now a Woman Candidate Master--the first female titled player in her country's history--Phiona dreams of becoming a Grandmaster, the most elite level in chess. But to reach that goal, she must grapple with everyday life in one of the world's most unstable countries. The Queen of Katwe is a "remarkable" (NPR) and "riveting" (New York Post) book that shows how "Phiona's story transcends the limitations of the chessboard" (Robert Hess, US Grandmaster).
About the Author
Tim Crothers is a former senior writer at Sports Illustrated. He is the author of The Queen of Katwe: One Girl’s Triumphant Path to Becoming a Chess Champion and The Man Watching, the biography of University of North Carolina women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance, and coauthor of Hard Work, the autobiography of UNC basketball coach Roy Williams. He lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with his wife and two children.