Through the lens of a youth soccer team and its coach, the author offers glimpses of refugee life in America and the conflicts that spawned these asylum seekers. He includes immigrants' stories as well as insight into the attitudes of the long-time reidents, some of whom resist and resent the changing demographics of their small southern town. Coach Luma organized a soccer team, not realizing that she would soon become a lifeline for the players and their families, helping them navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, homework, and other intricacies of modern American life. For the kids, soccer provides a refuge from past horrors and present difficulties by giving them an opportunity for cameraderie and structure.While the story is based around soccer, no in-depth knowledge of the sport is necessary to enjoy this book.
