Overview
Growing up in 1900s Vienna, Elsa’s brothers are always playing chess. “No girls!” they tell her when she first asks to learn; but she wears them down, and soon she’s such a pro that they give her a special chess set of her own.
Elsa plays chess whenever she can. When she grows up, she even meets her husband over games in the park. But when World War II grips Europe, the young Jewish family must emigrate to America, where they find themselves surrounded by unfamiliar languages.
Luckily, Elsa knows one language that can always bring people together: chess!
In the wake of COVID lockdowns and the hit show The Queen’s Gambit, millions of Americans are falling in love with chess, and young people are no exception. Based on the life of author Jenny Andrus’s grandmother, Elsa’s Chessboard is a gripping tale of resilience, human connection, and the boundless potential of women in male-dominated fields.
This book title, Elsa's Chessboard, ISBN: 9780823454082, by Jenny Andrus, Julie Downing, published by Candlewick Press (April 29, 2025) is available in hardcover. Our minimum order quantity is 25 copies. All standard bulk book orders ship FREE in the continental USA and delivered in 4-10 business days.
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