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47 reviews for:
Outcasts United: The Story of a Refugee Soccer Team That Changed a Town
Warren St. John
3.85 AVERAGE
47 reviews for:
Outcasts United: The Story of a Refugee Soccer Team That Changed a Town
Warren St. John
3.85 AVERAGE
inspiring
medium-paced
This book would have been much more enjoyable if I had any knowledge of or interest in the actual soccer aspect of the story.
This book is more appropriate for older students than mine :) super interesting though!
Fascinating look at refugee resettlement programs and the pockets of newly arrived families in small towns in America, specifically how soccer programs can give these children a place to belong. Luma Mufleh manages to do so much more than organize a team--she helps the parents navigating paperwork, jobs, housing, bringing them groceries, as well as keeping the kids motivated in school. St. John deftly weaves in facts about countries in turmoil where refugees are forced to flee with the story of The Fugees soccer club and their struggle to find solid footing in Clarkston, GA.
I had to read this book for school over the summer. I was a little disappointed with the story, but then otherwise it was pretty good. I would recommend it for ages 11-14, and I would rate it a young adult genre. Again, it was not the best, but good if you like soccer.
Just a wonderful book. Great take on soccer, on refugees, on immigrants, on our changing nation. This book worked on all levels.
Warren St. John documents the efforts on coach Luma, a Jordanian immigrant and soccer coach.
Coach Luma works with a group of boys 9 to 17, immigrants from an array of countries who are living in the outer suburbs of Atlanta, GA. Because Luma speaks Arabic, English and a little French, she is able to help these recent immigrants settle into their new environs. Not only does she coach soccer, she helps the parents (most of whom are single mothers) with the red tape of government programs, job applications and public school forms.
It's also a story of how the long-time residents of Clarkston, Georgia (a suburb of Atlanta) must find a way to respond to a massive influx of refugees. St. John does a good job of fleshing out the refugees' experience by going back in time and space to explain the traumatic events in each family's homeland that precipitated their immigration to the US.
He also bring in research from sociologists, historians, and social workers to help explain various phenomena documented in the book, such "super-diversity." However, he doesn't get too academic or technical. He keeps the boys, their parents, their coach, and their attitudes / feelings front and center.
Coach Luma works with a group of boys 9 to 17, immigrants from an array of countries who are living in the outer suburbs of Atlanta, GA. Because Luma speaks Arabic, English and a little French, she is able to help these recent immigrants settle into their new environs. Not only does she coach soccer, she helps the parents (most of whom are single mothers) with the red tape of government programs, job applications and public school forms.
It's also a story of how the long-time residents of Clarkston, Georgia (a suburb of Atlanta) must find a way to respond to a massive influx of refugees. St. John does a good job of fleshing out the refugees' experience by going back in time and space to explain the traumatic events in each family's homeland that precipitated their immigration to the US.
He also bring in research from sociologists, historians, and social workers to help explain various phenomena documented in the book, such "super-diversity." However, he doesn't get too academic or technical. He keeps the boys, their parents, their coach, and their attitudes / feelings front and center.
I didn't intend to read the "adapted for young people" version here but when I requested "Outcasts United" from the library, this is what I ended up with and then when I started reading it, I was too intrigued to put it down and wait to get the "adult" version. I was fascinated by the story of this small town that has become a relocation center for refugees from around the world - and by the small steps one person took to provide opportunity (through the form of a soccer team) for some of these refugees. Warren St. John did a great job of profiling the coach, families, players, and the soccer league.
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
This book is more than a sports book. It's the story of a the refugee experience through the lens of a youth soccer team (well, really 3 teams - all coached my one woman, who is herself an immigrant). It's about preconceived notions about immigrants. About how difficult it is to assimilate while trying to maintain ties to the culture you known and didn't want to leave. It's about prejudice and perseverance.
Very intriguing read about a young woman from Jordan who lands in a suburb of Atlanta where she is drawn to the new immigrant community. She coaches soccer teams at three levels which leads her to help kids with tutoring and develop deep bonds with her players' families.
Perfect book for a middle schooler looking for non-fiction. Informative and engaging.