Randall has just finished third grade and is about to experience his first summer in Rushport since his parents’ divorce. He likes to keep busy and is not finding much to do in his new neighborhood until he and his only friend Max decide to start a chess club. The club is a friendship-making catalyst for Randall until an older man takes over the park chess table and the class bully threatens to ruin the nice community they have built together. Subtle subplots add depth to this tale for early readers. When Mrs. Mick, Randall’s older neighbor and babysitter, loses her parrot, the summer gets a little more interesting. When the parrot, whose only words are “love ya, gorgeous,” becomes a matchmaker, middle-grade readers will see that friends can come in all ages. Judy Moody and Stink fans will not be bored with this offering. (Fiction. 8-11)
