Tani Adewumi’s powerful story of finding new life in America will inspire young readers.

An amazing and miraculous story of refugees coming to America, the young readers’ edition of Tani Adewumi’s story will inspire kids looking for true stories about doing hard things.

At eight years old, Tani Adewumi, a refugee, won the 2019 New York State Chess Championship after playing the game for only one year, and while homeless.

Tani and his family fled Boko Haram’s reign of terror in Nigeria to come to the United States, where they lived in a homeless shelter in New York City while awaiting religious asylum. Tani began attending a public elementary school and decided he wanted to join the chess program, but it required a fee. Tani’s mom approached the coach, who offered a scholarship, and one year later, the young immigrant became a chess champion.

Recommended age: 8-12 years