Books with author Michael Basman

A children's step-by-step visual guide to the rules, skills and strategies of chess—by International Master and renowned chess tutor Michael Basman.From the history of chess and the aim of the game to essential tactics and taking it even farther in clubs, tournaments, and championships, Chess for Kids covers it all. Before explaining techniques, the book details each piece—pawns, bishops, the king, and more—to ensure kids have a comprehensive understanding before they begin to play. Chess board graphics illustrate different scenarios and support the text explanations so readers can visualize different moves and their potential outcomes as they go.Let Chess for Kids and International Master Michael Basman teach you how to play chess and turn you into a champion chess player.

The true story of an idealistic young American Jew committed to promoting peace and reconciliation in the Middle East.Few American college students who study abroad receive constant accusations of being a spy. But that’s what happens to Michael Bassin, enrolled for a semester exchange at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.When Michael, despite advice to the contrary, reveals his Jewish identity to his new classmates, students, faculty, and the secret police respond with shock and suspicion.In between visiting Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and northern India during breaks from class, Michael develops die-hard enemies and loyal allies on campus. He is thrown into the role of reluctant ambassador for the Jewish people, for America, and Israel as he responds to the conspiracies and threats made against him.Nevertheless, he finds his efforts to promote understanding are not in vain. As he develops genuine friendships, he sees the positive effects of face-to-face interaction with people who had never met a Jew before.But Michael’s fight for peace doesn’t end with his university experience. He moves to Israel and joins the Israeli army as a combat Arabic translator, becoming the face and voice of his unit during both friendly and hostile interactions with Palestinians in the West Bank.While enforcing an occupation about which he feels conflicted, Michael once again finds that person to person relationships provide the best path to peace in the Middle East.

Sixth-grader Simon Bloom can?t believe his luck when he finds a book that enables him to control the laws of physics. By simply reciting the formulas it contains, he can cancel gravity to fly around his bedroom, or decrease friction so he can slide down the street as if he were on Rollerblades. When two thugs with evil intentions come after Simon, he must use the formulas to save himself and the book from falling into their hands. This funny, fast, and imaginative novel from first-time author Michael Reisman will appeal to fans of both fantasy and action-adventure.

Sixth-grader Simon Bloom can?t believe his luck when he finds a book that enables him to control the laws of physics. By simply reciting the formulas it contains, he can cancel gravity to fly around his bedroom, or decrease friction so he can slide down the street as if he were on Rollerblades. When two thugs with evil intentions come after Simon, he must use the formulas to save himself and the book from falling into their hands. This funny, fast, and imaginative novel from first-time author Michael Reisman will appeal to fans of both fantasy and action-adventure.

Simon Bloom and his friends Owen and Alysha went from being ordinary middle schoolers to universe-saving superheroes when Simon became the Keeper of The Teacher’s Edition of Physics. Using its formulas to control the laws that govern the universe, Simon and company defeated the deadly Sirabetta (twice) and had fun with amazing abilities along the way. Now, with Sirabetta as their captive, Simon, Owen, and Alysha must journey to the Order of Chemistry to remove her powers. But other villains are hot on their trail, and something mysterious and terrible is happening within the Knowledge Union. Something that even frightens the Narrator and Miss Fanstrom as they watch from afar. With Keepers disappearing and powers diminishing, Simon and his friends rely on their wits—and some unexpected allies—as they struggle to save the universe from descending into total chaos or worse, complete and permanent order.

The true story of an idealistic young American Jew committed to promoting peace and reconciliation in the Middle East.Few American college students who study abroad receive constant accusations of being a spy. But that's what happens to Michael Bassin, enrolled for a semester exchange at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.When Michael, despite advice to the contrary, reveals his Jewish identity to his new classmates, students, faculty, and the secret police respond with shock and suspicion.In between visiting Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and northern India, Michael develops die-hard enemies and loyal allies on campus. He is thrown into the role of reluctant ambassador for the Jewish people, for America, and for Israel as he responds to the conspiracies and threats made against him.Nevertheless, he finds his efforts to promote understanding are not in vain. As he develops genuine friendships, he sees the positive effects of face-to-face interaction with people who had never met a Jew before.But Michael's fight for peace doesn't end with his university experience. He moves to Israel and joins the Israeli army as a combat Arabic translator, becoming the face and voice of his unit during both friendly and hostile interactions with Palestinians in the West Bank.While enforcing an occupation about which he feels conflicted, Michael once again finds that person to person relationships provide the best path to peace in the Middle East.

In Simon Bloom, The Gravity Keeper, Simon Bloom and his friends used the Book of Physics to narrowly defeat villainess Sirabetta. Now Simon?s nemesis, stuck as a helpless thirteen-year-old, wants revenge. In this exciting sequel, Simon and company must enter the mysterious undersea realm of the Order of Biology to fi nd Sirabetta before she can restore her powers. Aided by old allies and some new ones, the kids struggle with fi erce beasts, dangerous enemies, and their own evolving abilities. Blending humor, suspense, and science?and throwing new octopus powers into the mix?Michael Reisman brings us another outstandingly original adventure.