Chess not Checkers is a teen novel with adult adventures
and situations. The novel’s thrills happen in both urban and rural
environments. A twenty-year-old, Thaddeus Adams, is looking back to when he was
a self-described “nerd” who stood up to a brutal bully. Earl Jacobson is gang
affiliated and heartless, and he adds layers of difficulties to Thaddeus’ life
that no teen should have to endure. The challenges require Thaddeus’ strategic
planning which shears off layers of his nerd qualities. At times, we see
Thaddeus flat on his back, and at other times we see him standing with
confidence; he learns to depend on family, community, and friends to survive. Chess not Checkers is sure to become a teen classic.
Tony Lindsay has written four Teen and Young Adult books: two short story collections Fat from Papa’s Head and Almost Grown, along with two novels A Mama’s Girl (Daybreak Jones), and Chess not Checkers. Tony has also been published by YA/Teen magazine Cicada. He creates depictions of Black life on white pages. Please find the links to his YA texts below:
