ONE GOAL A Coach, a Team, and the Game That Brought a Divided Town Together

Amy Bass's deep dive into Lewiston, Maine's high school soccer team is about more than sports. It's about immigration and acceptance. The author examines the wave of Somali immigrants that hit this small city in the early 2000s, focusing on the boys who join the soccer team. As they experience outright racism, the refugees bond with the local players through the leadership of the team's longtime coach. Narrator Will Collyer had a choice: He could read this audiobook straight or create voices for the players, coaches, and others whom the author cites. He chose the latter, and it brings the production alive. Treating everyone with dignity, he uses a slight New England accent when appropriate and creates inquisitive lilts for the Somali players. Both author and narrator take a "Friday Night Lights" approach to looking at the team, the city, and its residents through both sociological and sports lenses. The story culminates with an exciting state playoff run. M.B. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2018]