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Check Mates

By Stewart Foster
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4.26 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Check Mates by Stewart Foster is a touching story about a young boy named Felix, who struggles with concentration and behaviour challenges. Through spending time with his grandfather and learning how to play chess, he discovers unexpected life skills and builds an unlikely bond. This heartfelt tale explores themes of family, patience, and personal growth.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2099
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are interested in heartfelt stories about family, friendship, and personal growth. It explores the meaningful bond between a grandfather and his grandson, showcasing the power of chess to build connections and change lives. Ideal for young readers who appreciate a touching tale with a mix of humour and emotion.

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Check Mates

A funny, moving and utterly original story from Stewart Foster, award-winning author of THE BUBBLE BOY 

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

WINNER OF THE UKLA BOOK AWARDS 2021

'Funny and heartfelt with a cunning twist. Stewart Foster is a grandmaster' – ROSS WELFORD

'An inspirational underdog story and a chilling mystery! A winning combination' – DAVID SOLOMONS

Some people think that I’m a problem child, that I’m lazy and never pay attention in lessons. But the thing is, I’m not a problem child at all. I’m just a child with a problem.

Felix is struggling at school. His ADHD makes it hard for him to concentrate and his grades are slipping. Everyone keeps telling him to try harder, but no one seems to understand just how hard he finds it.

When Mum suggests Felix spends time with his grandfather, Felix can’t think of anything worse. Granddad hasn’t been the same since Grandma died. Plus he’s always trying to teach Felix boring chess. But sometimes the best lessons come in the most unexpected of places, and Granddad soon shows Felix that there’s everything to play for.

Praise for ALL THE THINGS THAT COULD GO WRONG

'A moving, humane, funny portrait of two very different boys discovering what connects us all.' Kiran Milwood Hargrave, author of The Girl of Ink and Stars

‘It’s amazing!’ Ross Welford, author of Time Travelling with a Hamster

'I loved it.' Lisa Thompson, author of The Goldfish Boy

'A touching, funny, gripping read that tackles important issues in a sensitive and thoroughly enjoyable way. Highly recommended.' Stuart Robinson, author of If Ever I Fall

'A timely story of courage and reminder of what we all share.' Christopher Edge, author of The Many Worlds of Albie Bright

'Powerful and warm ... this will linger long in the mind.' Guardian

Praise for THE BUBBLE BOY, winner of the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award in 2016

‘Poignant, hopeful and heartbreaking.’ Fiona Noble – Children’s Editor, The Bookseller

'Deeply moving and utterly gripping . . . Stewart Foster carries off an astonishing feat of storytelling in this exceptional book' Julia Eccleshare, lovereading.co.uk

‘A gripping and deeply moving book.’ Jamila Gavin, author of Coram Boy

'One thing we know about good books is their amazing ability to inspire empathy in the reader; to explore ideas and viewpoints that arise from experiences that are out of our own realm. The Bubble Boy does this with warmth, quirkiness and a light-hearted touch.' Guardian

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781471172236

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 June 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Simon & Schuster Childrens Books

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 21.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 352

Collections

Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Stewart Foster Young Adult

About the Author

Stewart Foster is an adult and children's novelist, born in Bath. His books have won multiple school and library awards and are recommended by Empathy Lab and Reading Well. His first adult book, We Used to be Kings, was published in 2014, to the accolades of being selected as The Observers' Author to Watch, and Amazons' Rising Star, in the same year. His first children's book, The Bubble Boy, was published in 2016, winning Sainsbury's Children's Book Award in 2016 (Age 9+) and many schools and libraries awards, as well as being nominated for The Carnegie Book Award. The book was published as BUBBLE, in USA and has been translated into eleven languages. Since then, Stewart has written four more children's books – All the Things That Could Go Wrong, Checkmates, The Perfect Parent Project and Can You Feel the Noise?

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