Outcasts United

An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference

By: Warren St. John

Narrated by: Lincoln Hoppe

The extraordinary tale of a refugee youth soccer team and the transformation of a small American town

Clarkston, Georgia, was a typical Southern town until it was designated a refugee settlement center in the 1990s, becoming the first American home for scores of families in flight from the world's war zones; from Liberia and Sudan to Iraq and Afghanistan. Suddenly Clarkston's streets were filled with women wearing the hijab, the smells of cumin and curry, and kids of all colors playing soccer in any open space they could find. The town also became home to Luma Mufleh, an American-educated Jordanian woman who founded a youth soccer team to unify Clarkston's refugee children and keep them off the streets. These kids named themselves the Fugees.

Set against the backdrop of an American town that without its consent had become a vast social experiment, Outcasts United follows a pivotal season in the life of the Fugees and their charismatic coach. Warren St. John documents the lives of a diverse group of young people as they miraculously coalesce into a band of brothers, while also drawing a fascinating portrait of a fading American town struggling to accommodate its new arrivals. At the center of the story is fiery Coach Luma, who relentlessly drives her players to success on the soccer field while holding together their lives and the lives of their families in the face of a series of daunting challenges.

This fast-paced chronicle of a single season is a complex and inspiring tale of a small town becoming a global community and an account of the ingenious and complicated ways we create a home in a changing world.

©2009 Warren St John (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

"Wonderful, poignant...highly recommended." ( Library Journal)

Not sure why they made abridged

I was hoping this was going to be the young readers edition but was instead just the shortened version of the real book. a bit displeased to have purchased the wrong version (either wanted young edition or full) but love the story nonetheless and feel it's uplifting and insightful

Unexpected

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I read this book because it was a Bookclub choice. I was biased because it was a YA book. I was completely shocked and pleased when I finished the book. It was a great discussion book. I then recommended it to my other Bookclub where it was received with scepticism but turned out to be one of our best discussions ever. My daughter and I made a road trip to Clarkston which was very interesting.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Luma and one shoe

What does Lincoln Hoppe bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Well read and pleasing voice

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me angry, happy, sad and hopeful

Not the same as the Book

This is a beautiful story. Sadly, I wanted to follow along with the audible while reading the book only to find out that the audiobook DOES NOT follow the book. It skips chapters and whole paragraphs. The organization of this audiobook is not good. There are 31 chapters in the book, so why is it divided into 5 parts in the audiobook? Please fix this and ensure that people can follow it!

The Audible Book is not saying the words

the Aubible book is not saying the words in the book
Thats not great :( iii