Tom Bouchard, a high school senior in Enniston , Maine, has it all. He's top of his class (currently #3), top of his game (soccer), dating one of the hottest girls in school, has great college prospects (if he ever gets his applications in), a supportive family, and a crazy best friend. His soccer team rocks because of the infusion of several Somali players who have fled their war-ravaged homeland and arrived in Enniston due to secondary migration. Although this is fantastic for the team, the number of refugees have strained school, town, and citizen resources and patience. Suspicion, a residual of 9/11, exacerbates an already tense situation. Tom's best friend, Donny, convinces him to repaint the spirit rock at a rival high school and both are sentenced to one hundred hours of community service at a local center providing assistance to refugees. This book has so many themes: sportsmanship, what it means to be a team player/captain, cultural differences, integrity, friendship, family dynamics, religions' impact on attitudes and behaviors, etc. It is an engaging read that "offers a compelling glimpse into how the choices we make, or don't make, come to define us." Beware! Objectionable language present.
"It's hard to fear someone, or be cruel to them, when you know their story."
"There's one thing you can say about luck: It's not fair."
Gateway Award Preliminary Nominee 2015-16
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