The Queen of Katwe: A Story of Life, Chess, and One Extraordinary Girl

Written by Tim Crothers

Narrated by Robin Miles

Now a major motion picture starring Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo, directed by Mira Nair.

The “astonishing” (The New York Times Book Review) and “inspirational” (Shelf Awareness) true story of Phiona Mutesi—a teenage chess prodigy from the slums of Uganda.

One day in 2005 while searching for food, nine-year-old Ugandan Phiona Mutesi followed her brother to a dusty veranda where she met Robert Katende.

Katende, a war refugee turned missionary, had an improbable dream: to empower kids in the Katwe slum through chess—a game so foreign there is no word for it in their native language. Laying a chess­board in the dirt, Robert began to teach. At first children came for a free bowl of porridge, but many grew to love the game that—like their daily lives—requires persevering against great obstacles. Of these kids, one girl stood out as an immense talent: Phiona.

By the age of eleven Phiona was her country’s junior champion, and at fifteen, the national champion. Now a Woman Candidate Master—the first female titled player in her country’s history—Phiona dreams of becoming a Grandmaster, the most elite level in chess. But to reach that goal, she must grapple with everyday life in one of the world’s most unstable countries. The Queen of Katwe is a “remarkable” (NPR) and “riveting” (New York Post) book that shows how “Phiona’s story transcends the limitations of the chessboard” (Robert Hess, US Grandmaster).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Oct 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781442356115

Tim Crothers

Tim Crothers is a former senior writer at Sports Illustrated. He is the author of The Queen of Katwe: One Girl’s Triumphant Path to Becoming a Chess Champion and The Man Watching, the biography of University of North Carolina women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance, and coauthor of Hard Work, the autobiography of UNC basketball coach Roy Williams. He lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with his wife and two children.

Reviews for The Queen of Katwe

[ducannibis_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

"Phiona Mutesi is the ultimate underdog. To be African is to be an underdog in the world. To be Ugandan is to be an underdog in Africa. To be from Katwe is to be an underdog in Uganda. To be a girl is to be an underdog in Katwe." -Tim Crothers

[vivienner_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is not a rags to riches story although it is a success story. The author states that Katwe is the poorest slum in the world. His staggering description of poverty certainly supports that. Crothers account begins with Katwe's beginnings, Phiona's family and forebears, and covers typlcal life in this vast slum. It is heartbreaking and at the same time inspiring. When twelve-year-old Phiona Mutesi went to a mission hoping for food, she learned to play chess, tutored by a four-year-old girl. Her success opened doors but it was a tough road. At first the chess organization in Uganda refused to let her compete in tournaments because of where she lived, her poor clothing, her lack of education. Later they saw her as one of the few champions capable of getting Uganda on the sports map of the world. There are so few sports successes that a number of Ugandans are even looking back fondly at the days of Idi Amin when the whole world knew Uganda. Phiona's first tournament meant her first ride in a car, her first time out of Katwe; later, her first flight, her first time in a hotel provided another first - sleeping in a bed. After all her success she returned to live with her mother and siblings in a shack in Katwe. She still eats only once per day, if she's lucky. There is still no choice.Even though the book is not particularly well-written, my heart goes out to the children of Katwe and to Phiona. I will never forget her. For that reason I'm giving it five stars.

[gmtapublishing · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Book Title: "The Queen of Katwe”Author: Tim CrothersPublished By: ScribnerAge Recommended: 17+Reviewed By: Kitty BullardRaven Rating: 5Review: This non-fiction novel is a true gem. The telling of this amazingly powerful story will bring tears to yor eyes. There is an abundance of inspiration in this novel that makes everyone want to stand up and cheer. Phiona Mutesi’s story to rise above is one you won’t soon forget!

[rosecityreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is impossible to describe The Queen or Katwe without using the word inspiring. No wonder they are making a Disney movie about Phiona Mutesi, a nine-year-old Ugandan girl living in the Katwe slum who became a world chess champion by the time she was 18. It that doesn't inspire, nothing does. This is a terrific read for anyone and a particularly good choice for a graduation gift.

[sdunford_6 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The story of Phionia Mutesi is absolutely as astonishing and incredible as the blurbs on the cover promise. The first 9 chapters of this book were difficult to put down. I needed to learn how this young woman managed to master such a difficult game. But the last 2 chapters were unfortunately a bit tedious, explaining what we already knew by then -- that this girl faced immensely difficult hurdles, and that she dreamed of continuing her journey, despite those hurdles. The contents of these chapters would have been better sprinkled through the others.

[helengress · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The author is a former Sports Illustrated writer; the main character is a child who lives in a slum of Uganda filled with poverty, AIDS, and destitution- with no knowledge of the world beyond. By chance, Phiona develops an interest in Chess and takes her to international competitions and fame as she competes in the Chess Olympiad in Sudan, and Russia. Fascinating story!

[westfargolibrary · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Phiona lives in Katwe, Uganda ? a slum where floods bring raw sewage inside people?s shacks, electricity is too expensive for most residents, and women are valued for sex and childcare. This is where one of the best chess players in the world lives. Phiona is able to help support her family with the money she earns playing chess, but despite her success she still lives in the Katwe. She dreams of ?living in a home where all the suffering, all the challenges we have been through would be over.? This is an inspiring story of a young woman?s triumph!

[marthahuntley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Phiona Mutesi's story is astonishing and inspiring. It was the choice of our neighborhood reading group, and I'm so glad to have read it! Even though I've lived overseas and saw much poverty, it was not so bad as what Phiona and the other children in her Ugandan slum have experienced. I hope the book and movie will draw attention to these children who for all they don't have, including often even one meal a day, do have grit, promise, the ability to rise to challenge, survival skills, intelligence and desire to learn, and now even the luxury of dreaming of someday having a better life. These kids need sponsors and financial backing. Their mentor, who also came out of direst poverty, has invested his life so well for their sakes. The book was chosen partly because it is by a local author, and isn't particularly well written, but the power and drama and hope of the story carries it right along. A book that should, and I hope will, be read by many!

[evaw-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Very interesting to see the living conditions and culture in Africa.

[ravenswoodpublishi-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Book Title: "The Queen of Katwe?Author: Tim CrothersPublished By: ScribnerAge Recommended: 17+Reviewed By: Kitty BullardRaven Rating: 5Review: This non-fiction novel is a true gem. The telling of this amazingly powerful story will bring tears to yor eyes. There is an abundance of inspiration in this novel that makes everyone want to stand up and cheer. Phiona Mutesi?s story to rise above is one you won?t soon forget!