When Auggie Learned to Play Chess written by Meredith Rusu, illustrated by Stephen Costanza - ESSENTIAL

When Auggie Learned to Play Chess written by Meredith Rusu, illustrated by Stephen Costanza. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Children's Books (Penguin Random House), 2025. $19. 9780593710814

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

Auggie and his father have moved away from the seaside to the cornfields, and everything is awful. He has no one to play with at recess or to sit next to at lunch. One day, he discovers his grandfather’s old chess set and his father begins to teach him how to play. As he learns the game, he also learns other lessons about his new life, gaining confidence & skills to make the most of this new situation.

I adored this picture book about poor lonely Auggie and his father teaching him chess. The illustrations were so fun, especially when he got so wrapped up in chess that he started imagining his classmates as different game pieces. This is a sweet story of a father and son, and a wonderful coming-of-age as Auggie adjusts to life in a new place.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes