G. Neri is the ALA Notable author of the middle grade free-verse novella Chess Rumble, the YA novel Surf Mules, and the upcoming graphic novel Yummy. He writes for reluctant readers, especially urban boys and teens at risk from ages 8 to 18, creating unique formats and voices that speak directly to young people who don’t like to read.

G. Neri, an award-winning filmmaker and new media producer from Los Angeles, has also taught animation and storytelling to inner-city youth. He now lives in Tampa, where he is writing full-time.

School rates:

$400 per day, plus travel and lodging expenses outside the Tampa Bay area. Includes three 50 minute classroom presentations or one larger assembly presentation.

To book G. Neri for an event, visit his website at www.gneri.com, or send a request to greg@gregneri.com. He can also be reached at 813-985-5616.

Virtual visits through video conferencing, Skype, and web chats are also available options for events outside of the Gulf Coast Florida area. Contact for requirements and pricing.

 Mr. Neri can speak about one of the following subjects:

 •   Checkmate! using chess to play the game of life--the story behind Chess Rumble (Middle Grades)

•   Finding your Perfect Wave: my journey through writing and the story behind Surf Mules (High School)

•   Finding your Book: reinventing stories for urban boys who don't read (In service for teachers)

"Neri's novel catches readers' interest on the very first page and propels them to the end in this intense, funny, and exciting read. Reluctant readers will be hooked on this fast-paced adventure... it's a definite buy."  -SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

Chess Rumble is the story of a young man named Marcus who is one fight away from being kicked out of school, when he encounters an unlikely chess master who challenges him to fight his battles on the chess board. Inspired by inner-city school chess enrichment programs, Chess Rumble explores the ways this strategic game empowers young people with the skills they need to anticipate their moves through the game of life. 

Chess Rumble was named a 2008 American Library Association Notable Book and 2009 Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers. It was also honored by the International Readers Association, Bank Street College of Education, The National Council of Teachers of English, The Society of School Librarians International, and was named to the IRA Young Adults' Choices list.

ISBN: 978-1-58430-279-7. Interest & Reading Level: Grades 4-9. Themes: chess, family, school, bullying, conflict resolution, coping with death, mentors, urban life, African American interest. 

To receive school discounts for class sets of Chess Rumble, visit http://leeandlow.com/order/special.html or call toll free 1.888.320.3190 

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Surf Mules is the story of two surfers who find themselves embroiled in a world of disorganized crime. When Logan goes searching for the Perfect Monster Wave, he doesn’t expect his former best friend to be killed by it. Add to this a deadbeat dad who bankrupted his family and the possibility of college going down the drain, and Logan is suddenly in a tailspin. So when small-time dealer Broza offers Logan and his dropout pal, Z-boy, a summer job that could make them rich, it seems his problems might be solved. But between Z-boy’s constant screwups, a band of Nazi surfers out for blood, and a mysterious stranger on their tail, Logan is starting to have some serious doubts about hauling contraband across country, and hopes just to make it home alive.

Hardcover | 288 pages | ISBN 9780399250866 |  Putnam Juvenile | 14 years and up I THEMES: Surfing, friendship, death, drug trafficking, adulthood.