Just after his tenth birthday, the last thing Zak expects to hear is that his mum is having a baby and he has to give up his room for an ageing old grandmother who is coming to live with them!

With the help of his friends and a series of cheeky pranks, Zak is convinced it'll be no time before he can reclaim his rightful territory!

But Zak soon discovers that his nani is no ordinary old grandma but a former chess prodigy, able to outwit and outdo him - and his friends - at every turn.

Just as both players begin to forge a mutual respect and a friendship that might finally overcome all obstacles, Zak begins to notice things. Like how Nani sometimes forgets where she is, or who she is... Or how she keeps asking for people who are no longer by her side...

Zak launches a desperate bid to ensure his nani never forgets who she is ever again. He enters her into the chess competition of a lifetime.

But will Zak's nani remember long enough to play?

About the Author

Onjali Q Raúf's first book, The Boy at the Back of the Class, was Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize in 2019, the Blue Peter Book Prize 2019 and other accolades.

Raúf's second book, The Star Outside My Window, went on to win the Diversity Book Award for Children's Fiction (UK) 2020.

Further titles include The Night Bus Hero, The Great Food Bank Heist,The Lion Above the Door, Where Magic Grows and Hope on the Horizon.

In 2022, Raúf was recognised for her services to Literature and Women's Rights in the New Year Honours.