whatiskatiereading's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful story. Regardless of happy endings (not a spoiler, you can figure it out from the title), the suffering is so real in this book and you feel the strength and love of the Adewumi family throughout. Seeing life from the perspective of both parents and Tani himself as they endure this traumatic experience is so powerful.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it made me remember all the positives in life.
I read this through @netgalley and will be getting a few copies in my school library
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it made me remember all the positives in life.
I read this through @netgalley and will be getting a few copies in my school library
tbhonest_uk's review against another edition
4.0
My Name is Tani is an emotive and inspiring read that gives you hope in man kind and makes you marvel at the strength some people have no matter what they endure . It's a story of family, love , hardship and unwavering belief in each other.
amatranfer's review
3.0
"Talent is universal, but opportunity is not"
I think that sentence summarises the book very nicely. In "My name is Tani", we meet Tani and his family, initally living in Nigeria, but who have to move to the US hiding from Boko Haram. As assylum seekers, they live in a refuge in New York, where Tani's father works hard to advance himself and his family. In school, Tani starts playing chess and discovers he's really good at it.
There are three main voices in the story. Tani's parents dominate the narrative, and I liked that, because their voices give a broader view of the events that made them leave Nigeria and their lives as refugees. It is kind of nice to see that Tani and his brother weren't fully aware of what was going on, either in Nigeria or while living with their relatives in the US. Tani's voice centers mostly on the chess aspect, and that comes only in the second half of the book.
I liked hearing about the Nigerian traditions, and about the Yoruba tribe.
Overall it's a nice story, and an inspiring one. It will also give some food for thought for many about what it means to be an immigrant. The way it's told (and its short length) I think makes it very suitable for kids, and maybe that will help make a more tolerant society in the coming years.
I think that sentence summarises the book very nicely. In "My name is Tani", we meet Tani and his family, initally living in Nigeria, but who have to move to the US hiding from Boko Haram. As assylum seekers, they live in a refuge in New York, where Tani's father works hard to advance himself and his family. In school, Tani starts playing chess and discovers he's really good at it.
There are three main voices in the story. Tani's parents dominate the narrative, and I liked that, because their voices give a broader view of the events that made them leave Nigeria and their lives as refugees. It is kind of nice to see that Tani and his brother weren't fully aware of what was going on, either in Nigeria or while living with their relatives in the US. Tani's voice centers mostly on the chess aspect, and that comes only in the second half of the book.
I liked hearing about the Nigerian traditions, and about the Yoruba tribe.
Overall it's a nice story, and an inspiring one. It will also give some food for thought for many about what it means to be an immigrant. The way it's told (and its short length) I think makes it very suitable for kids, and maybe that will help make a more tolerant society in the coming years.
mldavisreads's review
5.0
Memoir. This book tells the story of the Adewumi family, who escaped Boko Haram in Nigeria and became refugees in the US. After Kayode (the father) refused to print posters for Boko Haram in his print shop, he was a target for the group. The family tried to move to another city in Nigeria but were followed. After a stint with a family member in Dallas, they eventually ended up in New York City. Here the younger son Tanitoluwa (Tani for short) became enamored with chess. As his parents try to make it with various low-paying jobs, it becomes clear that Tani has a real talent for chess and that he loves the "deep thinking" that comes with it. As Kayode says, this story illustrates that "talent is universal, opportunity is not."
This book was amazing to listen to on audio. It was done by three narrators, one for Tani, one for his father Kayode, and one for his mother Oluwatoyin. I at first thought that the parents narrated their own chapters because the speakers shared the accent, but that was not the case. This book was a great reminder of the good that the US is capable of. It was also a wonderful story of humility. After not being able to work in Dallas without the necessary papers, Kayode is honored to work in New York. He starts off working the night shift cleaning up at a restaurant, which is very intense physical work at a very low rate. But he is so honored that he once again can work for his family. I loved learning about this beautiful family, who were always quick to thank God for the good things in their lives. I also appreciated the glimpse into Nigerian culture. A wonderful, feel-good true story.
This book was amazing to listen to on audio. It was done by three narrators, one for Tani, one for his father Kayode, and one for his mother Oluwatoyin. I at first thought that the parents narrated their own chapters because the speakers shared the accent, but that was not the case. This book was a great reminder of the good that the US is capable of. It was also a wonderful story of humility. After not being able to work in Dallas without the necessary papers, Kayode is honored to work in New York. He starts off working the night shift cleaning up at a restaurant, which is very intense physical work at a very low rate. But he is so honored that he once again can work for his family. I loved learning about this beautiful family, who were always quick to thank God for the good things in their lives. I also appreciated the glimpse into Nigerian culture. A wonderful, feel-good true story.
nietzschesghost's review
4.0
My Name Is Tani is a powerful true story of sacrificing everything for family, living with nothing but hope, then sharing generously all they received to discover the greatest riches of all. Tani Adewumi didn't know what Boko Haram was or why they had threatened his family during their reign of terror in their native country of Nigeria when his family were to become targets for capture and killing. 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, who comes from a royal family, became a dishwasher and Uber driver while Tani's mother, Oluwatoyin, cleaned buildings, while the family lived in a New York City homeless shelter waiting to be granted religious asylum. He attended New York City public school where his classmates were unaware that he and his family had no home.
So when Tani asked his parents if he could join the chess program at school, which required a fee, it seemed unlikely. But his mother wrote to the coach, who offered Tani a scholarship. Eight-year-old Tani jumped into his new life with courage and perseverance--and an unusual mind for chess and he practiced his game for hours in the evenings at the shelter. Then he began competing in the ultra-exclusive chess clubs of New York City. And winning - again and again. And less than a year after he learned to play, Tani won the 2019 New York State chess championship. This is an inspirational, dramatic, emotional and hopeful book about a young boy with an extraordinary aptitude for chess. 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 even whilst battling against adversity and poverty.
It is an incredible, endlessly dramatic and wonderfully engaging memoir with the ability to move and touch hearts. Tani's story will inspire you to believe in the beauty of unity and the power of the human spirit to triumph over the greatest adversities. And his family's faith will inspire you to believe in miracles. It is an intriguing concept to consider: that the game of chess rescued and redeemed an entire family unit. Told from the perspective of Tani, his family, and those closest to him, Tani’s story will inspire you to believe in yourself regardless of the circumstances and the faith and persistence of Tani’s family will inspire you to believe in miracles. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Harper Inspire for an ARC.
So when Tani asked his parents if he could join the chess program at school, which required a fee, it seemed unlikely. But his mother wrote to the coach, who offered Tani a scholarship. Eight-year-old Tani jumped into his new life with courage and perseverance--and an unusual mind for chess and he practiced his game for hours in the evenings at the shelter. Then he began competing in the ultra-exclusive chess clubs of New York City. And winning - again and again. And less than a year after he learned to play, Tani won the 2019 New York State chess championship. This is an inspirational, dramatic, emotional and hopeful book about a young boy with an extraordinary aptitude for chess. 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 even whilst battling against adversity and poverty.
It is an incredible, endlessly dramatic and wonderfully engaging memoir with the ability to move and touch hearts. Tani's story will inspire you to believe in the beauty of unity and the power of the human spirit to triumph over the greatest adversities. And his family's faith will inspire you to believe in miracles. It is an intriguing concept to consider: that the game of chess rescued and redeemed an entire family unit. Told from the perspective of Tani, his family, and those closest to him, Tani’s story will inspire you to believe in yourself regardless of the circumstances and the faith and persistence of Tani’s family will inspire you to believe in miracles. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Harper Inspire for an ARC.
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