"All the Ways to Go" by Jessie Janowitz is a compelling middle-grade novel that intertwines the
journey of self-discovery with the ancient game of Go. The story follows Milo Bloom, a 12-year-old chess prodigy who, after intentionally losing a major tournament to avoid continuing in chess, finds himself spending the summer in Princeton, New Jersey. There, he meets Roxie, a 10-year-old girl with a keen intellect and a unique perspective on life. Together, they stumble upon the game of Go, sparking a summer filled with late-night library adventures and the formation of a Go club at their camp. Through their shared passion for Go, Milo and Roxie develop an unexpected friendship, learning valuable life lessons along the way.
The novel has been well-received, with Kirkus Reviews describing it as "a sweet story about friendship between an unlikely pair and the intrigue of an ancient strategy game." In a recent book tour across New England, Janowitz engaged with over 1,000 students, sharing insights about the book and the game of Go. At one school, a 5th-grade teacher read "All the Ways to Go" aloud to the class, igniting a keen interest in Go among the students. One student was so enthusiastic that they persuaded a parent to purchase a Go set for the classroom. During Janowitz's visit, the students eagerly discussed the book and the game, posing thoughtful questions as they played Go together.
“I loved this book,” said AGA President Gurujeet Khalsa. “It has the potential to inspire a whole new generation of players and I encourage families to consider adding this book to their personal libraries and to advocate for its inclusion in local public and school libraries.”
The E-Journal invites our young readers to share their thoughts on "All the Ways to Go." Your insights and reflections are valuable, and we would love to feature them in our upcoming review. Please send your comments to ejournal@usgo.org.
"All the Ways to Go" is available through various retailers, including Amazon. Additionally, more information about author Jessie Janowitz and her works can be found on her official website.