Tani's New Home

September 1, 2020
After his family is forced to flee Nigeria and adjust to the United States while living in a homeless shelter, Tani wins a chess championship. Tani lived "in a home that felt as secure as a castle, in a fine neighborhood in Nigeria." But one day, his father, who owns a print shop, sneaks away from members of the terrorist group Boko Haram after they ask him to make posters, and the whole family, now in danger, must flee. They move to a home six hours away, but Boko Haram members find them. They must leave Nigeria quickly. They land in New York City and move into a homeless shelter, where Tani and his brother must sleep on a separate floor from their parents. At school, Tani joins the chess club and practices with his brother in their room at the shelter. In his first tournament, he scores the lowest of all players, but he studies and practices and keeps competing, and a year later, he wins the New York State championship. Headlines bring his story to readers around the world, who respond with encouragement and large donations to his family. Tani's story is narrated in a lovely childlike voice that retains the wonder of learning new things. The turn of events that can cause happy families to need asylum will enlighten young readers and open minds. The generous view of the United States feels optimistic but genuine. (This book was reviewed digitally with 8.8-by-21-inch double-page spreads viewed at 65.1% of actual size.) A valuable story of family, community, new beginnings, and perseverance. (afterword) (Picture book/biography. 4-9)

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October 1, 2020
Grades K-3 Seven-year-old Tani loved his Nigerian home and the love, family, and culture that surrounded him there. But when a terrorist group called Boko Haram demanded that his father print messages of hate at his print shop, the family was forced to flee and seek refuge elsewhere. Tani struggles to make a new home of New York City?that is, until he discovers chess. Many will recognize the miraculous and heartfelt story of Tani and his family from local and global news, but this book puts the reality and complexities of the refugee experience into perspective for the youngest of audiences. Digital illustrations boast a palette of muted blues and greens, accentuating the shifting range of emotions shown on characters' faces as Tani's story unfolds. Whether or not readers have experienced being refugees, this inviting title offers a newfound faith in humankind. Despite the many injustices that we meet, this book gives a resounding sense of hope and a reminder that greatness is unbound to our circumstances.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)