The Queen of Katwe
2 journalers for this copy...

From amazon.ca
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 "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.

This is an inspiring and uplifting memoir of a young girl who lived in horrendous conditions and really had no plans for her life beyond a meal for the day.
Once she finds chess, she seems to find ambition, hope and a will to do better. I think she must have been born with drive and determination, and chess gave her the opportunity and the outlet for those qualities to come through in her personality.
Once she finds chess, she seems to find ambition, hope and a will to do better. I think she must have been born with drive and determination, and chess gave her the opportunity and the outlet for those qualities to come through in her personality.

Journal Entry 3 by
cestmoi
at Little Free Library - Newell in Burlington, Ontario Canada on Sunday, May 21, 2023


Released 4 mos ago (5/21/2023 UTC) at Little Free Library - Newell in Burlington, Ontario Canada
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S P E C I AL T H E M E D R E L E A S E
This book was released to celebrate Victoria Day! May 22nd, 2023 in Ontario, Canada.
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Looks like a good read!