Not an Easy Win

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Learning the game of chess helps Lawrence better understand both himself and others. As they read, have students identify and note some of the ways chess is similar to Lawrence’s real-life situations and their own. Ask them to look for life lessons and skills Lawrence gained from chess.

As you discuss Not an Easy Win, have students share life lessons from chess–or from other games or sports they play. You can then create a poster size chess board and have students write their life lessons, strategies, and skills in the squares and put it on display or provide each student with their own chess board to complete.

Questions for Discussion or Reflective Writing

1. Why does everyone treat Lawrence like he’s the problem? What are the adults around Lawrence not seeing or hearing?
2. Mr. Dennis might not say much but is still a strong mentor for Lawrence. How does Mr. Dennis challenge Lawrence? What does Lawrence learn from spending time with him? How does it affect Lawrence’s life? Do you have a mentor in your life? What does that relationship look like and mean to you?
3. Both Lawrence and Deuce are dealing with the absence of special people in their lives. How does this affect how they feel? How do these feelings affect their relationship?
4. Have you ever felt angry and then realized that you were actually not angry but sad or hurt or something else? How did you recognize what was happening and deal with it? What strategies worked for you?

Related Resources

Watch author Chrystal  D. Giles read the first chapter of Not an Easy Win
A Standards-Aligned Educator Guide for Grades 5 – 8 for Not an Easy Win
Educators Guide for Not an Easy WIn from Random House 
Printable Paper Chess Set