The hopes of humanity rest on the shoulders of one chess player. It's May 1997 in Manhattan, New York. World champion Garry Kasparov is about to begin a six-game chess match against Deep Blue, the cutting edge IBM supercomputer.

MIND VS MACHINE, a middle-grade graphic novel by ​⁠Steve Sheinkin and Grandmaster Maurice Ashley and illustrated by Thien Pham, offers a unique perspective on one of the most consequential sporting events, if you will, in recent history.

What stood out to me after reading MIND VS MACHINE is how people 20 years ago were asking very similar questions as today. With the pros and cons of AI currently on everyone's mind, MIND VS MACHINE connects the past to the present in a meaningful and fascinating way. The illustrations are expressive, detailed, and help set the tone of the story.

An all-around phenomenal read, in one of my favorite styles of writing, the graphic novel!

Watch my book review to hear more about the story and why I think MIND VS MACHINE is a must-read!

If you love discovering books that stay with you long after you have finished reading, I think this is one you will want to add to your reading list. Out in September 2026

Title: MIND VS MACHINE

Author: Steve Sheinkin and Maurice Ashley

Illustrated by: Thein Pham

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Publishing Group

Book Reviewer: Ethan Minton ‪​⁠

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Please note: This review includes - a few spoilers - some details about the story.

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