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Checkmate (Cover-To-Cover Novel) | 
 enlarge | Author: Kathleen M. Muldoon
Creator: Dea Marks
Publisher: Perfection Learning
Category: Book
List Price: $13.95
Buy New: $8.03
You Save: $5.92 (42%)
New (6) Used (1) from $8.03
Avg. Customer Rating:  1 reviews
Sales Rank: 2316848
Media: Library Binding
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 78
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.5 x 0.6
ISBN: 0756929636
EAN: 9780756929633
ASIN: 0756929636
Publication Date: August 31, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New Book! Delivered direct from our US warehouse in 3-6 days (Expedited) or 10-14 days (Standard). Expedited shipping recommended for speedy delivery. Over 1 million satisfied customers.
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| Customer Reviews:
Middle school angst amplified by a parent's deafness April 19, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Checkmate is the story of 12 year old P.J. whose family life is unusual. His mother is in the military (exactly what she does is secretive) and gets reassigned at least once a year to a new base. His older, well-adjusted sister is off to college. And his stay-at-home father is the creator of a popular syndicated cartoon and is deaf - a fact that Mike doesn't view as an issue until he's starts the 7th grade when a group of bullies make fun of his father's signing and grunting sounds.
During 7th grade, not wanting to be made fun of, P.J. avoids his dad, embarrassed by his deafness and the mannerisms it entails. So when his mom gets reassigned the next summer, P.J. gets excited - hoping 8th grade will be better.
Unfortunately, it's not. His mom gets sent overseas for six months and his sister goes off to college, leaving P.J. to suffer the now strained relationship he has with his father. When some boys at the new base make fun of him, calling him a loser, Mike tries to retaliate. Things just get worse, and he is expelled from the base school and sent to an alternative school.
Fortunately, his new teacher is great and introduces P.J. to chess. The teacher also suggests that P.J. go to a support group for children of deaf parents. P.J. agrees to go, though not completely willingly.
When Amy, a beautiful girl with a deaf mom arrives, P.J. finds a true friend. With the help of Amy, his teacher and chess, Mike builds his own self-esteem, realizes the bullies are the real losers, and finds a new appreciation for and an improved relationship wtih his father.
The story is simply written and is easy to read. The teenage issues - embarrassment at a parent's handicap, dealing with bullying, acting out anger, finding something to be good at - are all handled well, though a bit lightly. Nothing earth shattering, but a satisfying ending. I'd recommend this book for 9-12 year olds.
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