Skip to Main Content (Press Enter)
Not an Easy Win by Chrystal D. Giles
Add Not an Easy Win to bookshelf
Add to Bookshelf

Look Inside

Not an Easy Win

By Chrystal D. Giles

By Chrystal D. Giles

By Chrystal D. Giles

By Chrystal D. Giles

By Chrystal D. Giles

By Chrystal D. Giles

By Chrystal D. Giles
Read by Nile Bullock and Chrystal D. Giles

By Chrystal D. Giles
Read by Nile Bullock and Chrystal D. Giles

Best Seller
Paperback $8.99

Jan 09, 2024 | ISBN 9780593175248 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

Hardcover $17.99

Feb 28, 2023 | ISBN 9780593175217 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

Ebook $8.99

Feb 28, 2023 | ISBN 9780593175231 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

Audiobook Download $20.00

Feb 28, 2023 | 322 Minutes | Middle Grade (10 and up)

All Formats
+
    Not an Easy Win by Chrystal D. Giles
    Paperback $8.99
    Jan 09, 2024 | ISBN 9780593175248

    Buy from Other Retailers:

    See All Formats (3) +
    • $8.99

      Jan 09, 2024 | ISBN 9780593175248 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    • $17.99

      Feb 28, 2023 | ISBN 9780593175217 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    • Feb 28, 2023 | ISBN 9780593175231 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    • Feb 28, 2023 | ISBN 9780593666722 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

      322 Minutes

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    Buy the Audiobook Download:

    About Not an Easy Win

    FOUR STARRED REVIEWS! Twelve-year old Lawrence is new to chess–can he find a way to get on the board, even though the odds are stacked against him?

    Find out in this powerful novel about family, forgiveness, and figuring out who you are when you don’t make the rules—just right for middle-grade fans of Nic Stone and Jason Reynolds.

    *“Essential middle grade and tween realistic reading.”—School Library Journal, starred Review

    Lawrence is ready for a win. . . .

    Nothing’s gone right for Lawrence since he had to move from Charlotte to Larenville, North Carolina, to live with his granny. When Lawrence ends up in one too many fights at his new school, he gets expelled. The fight wasn’t his fault, but since his pop’s been gone, it feels like no one listens to what Lawrence has to say.

    Instead of going to school, Lawrence starts spending his days at the rec center, helping out a neighbor who runs a chess program. Some of the kids in the program will be picked to compete in the Charlotte Classic chess tournament. Could this be Lawrence’s chance to go home?

    Lawrence doesn’t know anything about chess, but something about the center—and the kids there—feels right. Lawrence thought the game was over . . . but does he have more moves left than he thought?

    About Not an Easy Win

    FOUR STARRED REVIEWS!
    Twelve-year old Lawrence is new to chess–can he find a way to get on the board, even though the odds are stacked against him?

    Find out in this powerful novel about family, forgiveness, and figuring out who you are when you don’t make the rules—just right for middle-grade fans of Nic Stone and Jason Reynolds.

    *“Essential middle grade and tween realistic reading.”—School Library Journal, starred Review

    Lawrence is ready for a win. . . .

    Nothing’s gone right for Lawrence since he had to move from Charlotte to Larenville, North Carolina, to live with his granny. When Lawrence ends up in one too many fights at his new school, he gets expelled. The fight wasn’t his fault, but since his pop’s been gone, it feels like no one listens to what Lawrence has to say.

    Instead of going to school, Lawrence starts spending his days at the rec center, helping out a neighbor who runs a chess program. Some of the kids in the program will be picked to compete in the Charlotte Classic chess tournament. Could this be Lawrence’s chance to go home?

    Lawrence doesn’t know anything about chess, but something about the center—and the kids there—feels right. Lawrence thought the game was over . . . but does he have more moves left than he thought?

    About Not an Easy Win

    FOUR STARRED REVIEWS!
    Twelve-year old Lawrence is new to chess–can he find a way to get on the board, even though the odds are stacked against him?

    Find out in this powerful novel about family, forgiveness, and figuring out who you are when you don’t make the rules—just right for middle-grade fans of Nic Stone and Jason Reynolds.

    *“Essential middle grade and tween realistic reading.”—School Library Journal, starred Review

    Lawrence is ready for a win. . . .

    Nothing’s gone right for Lawrence since he had to move from Charlotte to Larenville, North Carolina, to live with his granny. When Lawrence ends up in one too many fights at his new school, he gets expelled. The fight wasn’t his fault, but since his pop’s been gone, it feels like no one listens to what Lawrence has to say.

    Instead of going to school, Lawrence starts spending his days at the rec center, helping out a neighbor who runs a chess program. Some of the kids in the program will be picked to compete in the Charlotte Classic chess tournament. Could this be Lawrence’s chance to go home?

    Lawrence doesn’t know anything about chess, but something about the center—and the kids there—feels right. Lawrence thought the game was over . . . but does he have more moves left than he thought?

    About Not an Easy Win

    FOUR STARRED REVIEWS!
    Twelve-year old Lawrence is new to chess–can he find a way to get on the board, even though the odds are stacked against him?

    Find out in this powerful novel about family, forgiveness, and figuring out who you are when you don’t make the rules—just right for middle-grade fans of Nic Stone and Jason Reynolds.

    *“Essential middle grade and tween realistic reading.”—School Library Journal, starred Review

    Lawrence is ready for a win. . . .

    Nothing’s gone right for Lawrence since he had to move from Charlotte to Larenville, North Carolina, to live with his granny. When Lawrence ends up in one too many fights at his new school, he gets expelled. The fight wasn’t his fault, but since his pop’s been gone, it feels like no one listens to what Lawrence has to say.

    Instead of going to school, Lawrence starts spending his days at the rec center, helping out a neighbor who runs a chess program. Some of the kids in the program will be picked to compete in the Charlotte Classic chess tournament. Could this be Lawrence’s chance to go home?

    Lawrence doesn’t know anything about chess, but something about the center—and the kids there—feels right. Lawrence thought the game was over . . . but does he have more moves left than he thought?

    Read An Excerpt

    Read An Excerpt

    Read An Excerpt

    Read An Excerpt

    Listen to a sample from Not an Easy Win

    Also by Chrystal D. Giles

    Take Back the Block
    See all books by Chrystal D. Giles

    Also by Chrystal D. Giles

    Take Back the Block
    See all books by Chrystal D. Giles

    Also by Chrystal D. Giles

    Take Back the Block
    See all books by Chrystal D. Giles

    Also by Chrystal D. Giles

    Take Back the Block
    See all books by Chrystal D. Giles

    About Chrystal D. Giles

    Chrystal D. Giles is a champion for diversity in children’s literature. She made her debut with Take Back the Block, which received multiple starred reviews. Chrystal lives outside Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and son and is currently working… More about Chrystal D. Giles

    About Chrystal D. Giles

    Chrystal D. Giles is a champion for diversity in children’s literature. She made her debut with Take Back the Block, which received multiple starred reviews. Chrystal lives outside Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and son and is currently working… More about Chrystal D. Giles

    About Chrystal D. Giles

    Chrystal D. Giles is a champion for diversity in children’s literature. She made her debut with Take Back the Block, which received multiple starred reviews. Chrystal lives outside Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and son and is currently working… More about Chrystal D. Giles

    About Chrystal D. Giles

    Chrystal D. Giles is a champion for diversity in children’s literature. She made her debut with Take Back the Block, which received multiple starred reviews. Chrystal lives outside Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and son and is currently working… More about Chrystal D. Giles

    Product Details

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Paperback | $8.99
    Published by Yearling
    Jan 09, 2024 | 272 Pages | 5-3/16 x 7-5/8 | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9780593175248

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Hardcover | $17.99
    Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
    Feb 28, 2023 | 256 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9780593175217

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Ebook | $8.99
    Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
    Feb 28, 2023 | 256 Pages | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9780593175231

    Category: Audiobooks | Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Audiobook Download | $20.00
    Published by Listening Library
    Feb 28, 2023 | 322 Minutes | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9780593666722

    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

    Praise

    ★ “A wise and wonderful story.” —Booklist, starred review
     
    ★ “Fans of Akeelah and the Bee and Brooklyn Castle will cherish this well-characterized, compassionately told story that touches on financial precarity, intergenerational community, and the school-to-prison pipeline.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
     
    ★ “This is an all-consuming read about a young Black boy finding community and purpose. Essential middle grade and tween realistic reading.” —School Library Journal, starred review
     
    ★ “The characters are multidimensional and authentic: Complex issues, including poverty, parental incarceration, and racism, are explored with sensitivity, offering readers opportunities for reflection.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

    “Smart and moving.”—Book Riot

    “The importance of caring adults and of working through conflict are highlighted in this well-written story about a boy who deserves a win.” —The Horn Book

    “Giles gives readers an honest story about growing up in a world that affords few breaks to Black youth….each character is moving through the world with varied strengths and abilities.” —The Bulletin

    “Not an Easy Win is a meaningful, moving read, especially for those who feel misunderstood or out of place.”—BookPage

    Awards

    Georgia Children’s Book Award NOMINEE 2025

    ALA Notable Children’s Book SELECTION 2024

    Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Books SELECTION 2023

    Looking for More Great Reads?
    21 Books You’ve Been Meaning to Read
    Back to Top

    Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network

    Raise kids who love to read

    Raise kids who love to read

    Today's Top Books

    Want to know what people are actually reading right now?

     An online magazine for today’s home cook

    An online magazine for today’s home cook