Tanitoluwa Adewumi – författare

My Name is Tani: The Amazing True Story of One Boy’s Journey from Refugee to Chess Champion The story that is inspiring everyone! Soon to be a Paramount motion picture.Draw deep into the dramatic account of escape from terrorism.Tani Adewumi’s story begins amid Boko Haram’s reign of terror in Nigeria, but this doesn’t stop him from pursuing a most unlikely dream. At the age of eight, when Tani and his family’s lives are threatened, they are forced to flee for their lives and seek asylum. The odds were against Tani for ever finding a prosperous life in a foreign city, once enjoyed in his native Nigeria. But sometimes the unexpected is found in the most unlikely circumstances. As Tani’s family becomes a target for capture and killings, their miraculous escape takes them across an ocean to New York City. Tani’s father, who comes from a royal family and has left behind thirteen employees in Nigeria, becomes a dishwasher and an Uber driver to support his family. Tani’s mother, whose family helps to oversee the finances for a large Nigerian printing press, worked at a bank for more than eight years but is now training to become a home health aide.After eighteen months, the family is still at a shelter, unbeknownst to Tani’s classmates. One day Tani asks his parents if he can join the chess program. It seems unlikely since a fee is required. His mother writes to the coach, who offers Tani a scholarship. Tani jumps in to learn the game. The result is not only an unexpected twist of events in a chess competition but also the rescue of an entire family.In My Name is Tani, we witness the crossfire between miracle and mayhem. A young boy with only a dream in his heart recounts his harrowing escape from Boko Haram’s grips and changes his destiny in the process when he finds purpose in the most unlikely of places – a chess championship.In step with The Girl from Aleppo, and in the spirit of I am Malala, Tani’s story sheds light on living through terror. This story of community and hope recounts the lengths parents will go through to find safety for their family. It’s a story of what happens one you dare to dream.

In their escape from Boko Haram's reign of terror in Nigeria, Tani's family's journey to the United States was nothing short of a miracle. Then 8-year-old Tani started competing with his public school in the ultra-exclusive chess clubs of New York City – and winning. A true story of sacrificing everything for family and living with nothing but hope.Tani Adewumi didn’t know what Boko Haram was or why they had threatened his family. All he knew was that when his parents told the family was going to America, Tani thought it was the start of a great adventure rather than an escape. In truth, his family’s journey to the United States was nothing short of miraculous—and the miracles were just beginning.Tani’s father, Kayode, became a dishwasher and Uber driver while Tani’s mother, Oluwatoyin, cleaned buildings, while the family lived in a homeless shelter. Eight-year-old Tani jumped into his new life with courage and perseverance—and an unusual mind for chess. After joining the chess club in his public school, Tani practiced his game for hours in the evenings at the shelter. And less than a year after he learned to play, Tani won the New York State chess championship.In this incredible book, you’ll discover:An inspirational true story of perseverance, hard work and loveAn eye-opening account of the threats from Boko Haram in Tani’s homeland of NigeriaThe true power of the miracles each one of us can do for one anotherA young boy with an aptitude for chess? Absolutely. But if you ask Tani Adewumi, he will tell you he believes in miracles and one happened to him and his family. This story will inspire, delight, and challenge you to believe, too.

In their escape from Boko Haram''s reign of terror in Nigeria, Tani''s family''s journey to the United States was nothing short of a miracle. Then 8-year-old Tani started competing with his public school in the ultra-exclusive chess clubs of New York City – and winning. A true story of sacrificing everything for family and living with nothing but hope.

Tani Adewumi didn’t know what Boko Haram was or why they had threatened his family. All he knew was that when his parents told the family was going to America, Tani thought it was the start of a great adventure rather than an escape. In truth, his family’s journey to the United States was nothing short of miraculous—and the miracles were just beginning.

Tani’s father, Kayode, became a dishwasher and Uber driver while Tani’s mother, Oluwatoyin, cleaned buildings, while the family lived in a homeless shelter. Eight-year-old Tani jumped into his new life with courage and perseverance—and an unusual mind for chess. After joining the chess club in his public school, Tani practiced his game for hours in the evenings at the shelter. And less than a year after he learned to play, Tani won the New York State chess championship.

In this incredible book, you’ll discover:

An inspirational true story of perseverance, hard work and loveAn eye-opening account of the threats from Boko Haram in Tani’s homeland of NigeriaThe true power of the miracles each one of us can do for one another

A young boy with an aptitude for chess? Absolutely. But if you ask Tani Adewumi, he will tell you he believes in miracles and one happened to him and his family. This story will inspire, delight, and challenge you to believe, too.

Tani Adewumi's moving true story of immigrating to America, developing his talent for chess, and finding a new home will inspire families looking for stories of hope and kindness.* 2021 ECPA Top Shelf Book Cover Award winnerTani was just six years old when he and his family fled persecution in Nigeria and became refugees in New York City. Tani was amazed, and a little overwhelmed, by all the new things in America. But one new experience turned out to be the most wonderful discovery--chess! With joy and determination, Tani studied hard, practicing chess for hours on the floor of his room in the homeless shelter. Less than a year later, he won the New York State Chess Championship, and through one act of kindness after another, found a new home.This picture book biography for children ages 5 to 10tells the captivating real-life story of a young chess championcelebrates the power of hope and hard workreminds us that we can each make the world a more welcoming placeencourages empathy and compassionincludes beautiful digital illustrations by Courtney Dawsonis perfect for children reading alone; story time for families, classrooms, and libraries; and celebrations of World Refugee DayThis exciting book about chess, family, and community reminds us all that home is a place where you can follow your dreams.

An amazing, miraculous refugee story of coming to America, the young readers edition of Tani Adewumi''s story will inspire kids looking for true stories of doing hard things.

At eight years old, Tani Adewumi, a refugee, won the 2019 New York State Chess Championship after playing the game for only a year--and while homeless. 

Tani and his family fled Boko Haram''s reign of terror in Nigeria to come to the United States, where they lived in a New York City homeless shelter while waiting to be granted religious asylum. Tani began attending a public elementary school and decided he wanted to join the chess program, but it required a fee. Tani''s mother reached out to the coach, who offered Tani a scholarship--and a year later the young immigrant became a chess champion.

Ideal for readers 8 to 12 years old, this adaptation presents compelling insight into:

What it means to leave a comfortable home and move to a new country with nothingWhat it''s like to live in America as a homeless familyHow it feels to be an outsider, a Nigerian, in a new schoolAnd what it means to learn a game, compete, and experience the thrill of winning

Tani''s story will inspire you to believe in the power of the human spirit to triumph over the greatest adversities. And his family''s faith will inspire you to believe in miracles.

Tani Adewumi''s moving true story of immigrating to America, developing his talent for chess, and finding a new home will inspire families looking for stories of hope and kindness.

* 2021 ECPA Top Shelf Book Cover Award winner

Tani was just six years old when he and his family fled persecution in Nigeria and became refugees in New York City. Tani was amazed, and a little overwhelmed, by all the new things in America. But one new experience turned out to be the most wonderful discovery--chess! With joy and determination, Tani studied hard, practicing chess for hours on the floor of his room in the homeless shelter. Less than a year later, he won the New York State Chess Championship, and through one act of kindness after another, found a new home.

This picture book biography for children ages 5 to 10

tells the captivating real-life story of a young chess championcelebrates the power of hope and hard workreminds us that we can each make the world a more welcoming placeencourages empathy and compassionincludes beautiful digital illustrations by Courtney Dawsonis perfect for children reading alone; story time for families, classrooms, and libraries; and celebrations of World Refugee Day

This exciting book about chess, family, and community reminds us all that home is a place where you can follow your dreams.