Perpetual Check by Rich Wallace

Wallace, Rich. Perpetual Check, 112 pgs. Alfred A. Knopf, 2009.

RATING : Language– PG13 (about 45 swear words, no 'f').

This book covers the action of just one night and the following day, but it is a pivotal day in the relationship of two brothers. Randy, an high school freshman, has recently surpassed his older brother, Zeke, on the chess team as their leading player. When Zeke leaves his hotel key in the room and is out past curfew during a tournament where both brothers have made it to the final 16, he is forced to knock on Randy’s door and crash there. Zeke doesn’t get Randy’s humor and finds his tendency to make up words annoying. He has found it easy to follow his dad’s lead and not treat Randy well since he is also secretly intimidated by his brother. But this night, away from their dad, they start reaching out to each other in friendship. By the end of the tournament, they finally are able to connect to each other as brothers instead of as their father’s sons.

I liked this story. It is a very fast read at only 112 pages, but I was pulled right into this sibling rivalry. I enjoyed watching the scenes at the chess tournament and listening to their dialogue as Zeke tried to relate to Randy honestly, discarding his preconceived notions about his brother and seeing his dad for the bully he was. I also was intrigued by the ins and outs of playing chess competitively. Since I am so unable to do so, it was informative to learn a little about it.

MS, HS - ADVISABLE.