980 Lexile

"Originally published in hardcover in the United States by Delacorte Press, c2012."--T.p. verso

"Adapted for young people by Warren St. John" -- Cover.

Pt. 1. Changes. Luma -- Beatrice and her boys -- "Small town ...big heart" -- Alone down south -- The Fugees are born -- "Coach says it's not good" -- Get lost -- pt. 2. A new season. "I want to be part of the Fugees!" -- Figure it out so you can fix it -- Meltdown -- "How am I going to start all over?" -- Alex, Bien, and Ive -- Trying again -- The Fifteens fight -- Go Fugees! -- Gunshots -- The "soccer people" -- Playing on grass -- pt. 3. Full circle. Who are the kings? -- Showdown at Blue Springs -- Coming apart -- Hanging on at home -- The Dikoris -- "What are you doing here?" -- Halloween -- The Fifteens' final game -- My rules, my way -- Tornado cup.

Clarkston, Georgia, was a typical southern town until it became a refugee resettlement center. Luma Mufleh, a young Jordanian woman educated in the United States and working as a coach for private youth soccer teams in Atlanta, was out for a drive one day and ended up in Clarkston. She was pleasantly surprised by the ethnic restaurants and by the sight of women wearing the hijab. Most of all, she was amazed and delighted to see young boys, black and brown and white, some barefoot, playing soccer on every flat surface they could find. Luma decided to quit her job, move to Clarkston, and start a soccer team. This was where she needed to be, and this was where she made a huge difference in the lives of the Fugees and the small Southern town they came to call home.--From publisher description.