Outcasts United

Refugees. New Americans. Though only 1-sq. mile, Clarkston, GA is a hub for refugee resettlement. Warren St. John follows the story of one woman and several young men...all who employed their love for soccer to combat poverty, familial turmoil, gang violence, and discrimination to forage a new path in life.  Warren St. John is not a native of Atlanta, but his work is a telling commentary on the complexities and sweetness of the new South.

The fugees are wonderful young men. Luma Mufleh is incredibly inspiring and approachable. Clarkston is unlike any other place I've ever been. Outcasts United is full of hope, but getting to know families in Clarkston over the last several years is probably the best American story I've heard. 

Maniac Magee

He's a kid on the run. This orphan-turned-miracle-worker leaves no life untouched, especially the racially divided community in small town America. I like the way Publishers Weekly reviewed it:

Publishers Weekly

In this modern-day tall tale, Spinelli ( Dump Days ; Jason and Marceline ) presents a humorous yet poignant look at the issue of race relations, a rare topic for a work aimed at middle readers. Orphaned as an infant, Jerry Magee is reared by his feuding aunt and uncle until he runs away at age eight. He finds his way to Two Mills, Pa., where the legend of ``Maniac'' Magee begins after he scores major upsets against Brian Denehy, the star high school football player, and Little League tough guy, John McNab. In racially divided Two Mills, the Beales, a black family, take Maniac in, but despite his local fame, community pressure forces him out and he returns to living at the zoo. Park groundskeeper Grayson next cares for the boy, but the old man dies and Maniac moves into the squalid home of the McNabs, who are convinced a race war is imminent. After a showdown with his nemesis, Mars Bar, Maniac bridges the gap between the two sides of town and finally finds a home. Full of snappy street-talk cadences, this off-the-wall yarn will give readers of all colors plenty of food for thought. Ages 8-12. (Apr.)

Reading Level from Lexile: 0820L