Hillary A., Chesapeake Science Point Middle/High School
Absolutely extraordinary! It's not shocking that a book about a Scrabble tournament utilizes plenty of witty wordplay. However, the heavy themes of loss, trauma, and the complexities of relationships are the soul that creates a story worth reading; the puns and poetry merely well-executed tools.
Queen of the Tiles, by Hanna Alkaf, follows Najwa Bakri a year after her best friend's death as she participates in the same Scrabble tournament where the incident occurred, determined to win to protect her friend's legacy. The characterization and storytelling made this book a new favorite. I had never heard of Scrabble rules (beyond “big words means big points”) before reading, yet Alkaf's descriptions of Najwa strategizing during her matches were easy to understand- perfect for those unfamiliar with the many layers of the board game -and incredibly engaging for the readers to get to work alongside her.
Najwa's love for word definitions made creative chapter titles, unique character descriptions, and infectious excitement for every discovery. Following her thoughts throughout the text as all the pieces fell into place was astonishing. The mystery has heart-racing emotional stakes that set itself up well with the themes of grief that the story anchors itself to. Quality writing paired with casual representation makes a text for any teen or young adult to enjoy!