2018 School Spending Survey Report
Now Is the Time for Running
Now Is the Time for Running by Michael Williams Middle School, High School Little, Brown 233 pp. 7/11 978-0-316-07790-3 $17.99 g
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The brutal massacre by government soldiers of his small Zimbabwe village sends fourteen-year-old soccer devotee Deo and his mentally disabled older brother, Innocent, fleeing to a refugee camp in South Africa. The brothers find underpaid work at a farm before eventually leaving for the promise of the big city of Johannesburg. Once there, however, they are forced to live on the streets, and when xenophobic violence breaks out, it claims the life of Innocent. Heartbroken, Deo moves on to Cape Town, where he finally catches a break: he is invited to join the soccer team that will represent South Africa in the Street Soccer World Cup. Williams skillfully draws the plight of these refugee brothers with both suspense and sympathy, and readers cannot help but root for them in their quest to rebuild their broken lives. It's uplifting that Deo is able to resurrect his passion for soccer as a means to better his life, while sports as a means to unify a divided South Africa recalls the movie Invictus and evokes similar emotions. Williams joins Beverly Naidoo and Allan Stratton with this incisive portrait of sub-Saharan Africa, a compelling mix of suspense, sports, and social injustice. JONATHAN HUNTGr 7 Up—In Zimbabwe, 14-year-old Deo's life is hard but filled with family, love, and soccer. Then soldiers attack his village and send Deo and his mentally disabled brother, Innocent, running toward South Africa. Their way is complicated by a dangerous river crossing, a game preserve filled with lions, and xenophobia. Everywhere these brothers go there are unending waves of hatred and fear. It is this hatred that threatens to break Deo when violence claims Innocent's life. However, he is able to resurrect and reclaim his own life and hope through soccer. Williams tells his story simply and unflinchingly with depictions of tremendous violence, hard-fought soccer matches, and the loving bond between the brothers. Deo's narration provides an immediacy that is only compounded by the tale's fast pacing and suspense. The author gives readers complicated and compelling characters for whom they will cheer, cry with, and love.—Naphtali L. Faris,
Youth Services Consultant, Missouri State Library, Jefferson City, MO
The brutal massacre by government soldiers of his small Zimbabwe village sends fourteen-year-old soccer devotee Deo and his mentally disabled older brother, Innocent, fleeing to South Africa. There Deo is invited to join the soccer team that will represent South Africa in the Street Soccer World Cup. This incisive portrait of sub-Saharan Africa is a compelling mix of suspense, sports, and social injustice.
A gripping and well-paced story that is engaging from the first page. Michael Williams incorporates realistic, eye-opening details about the harrowing challenges many African refugees and immigrants endure. On their journey, for example, Deo and Innocent must hide from murderous soldiers, cross a raging river full of crocodiles, and avoid hungry lions while fleeing through a game reserve. Deo and Innocent’s endearing relationship is the emotional centerpiece of the novel. Deo takes care of Innocent, who is mentally challenged, while Innocent buoys Deo’s spirits. The soccer scenes are written with a clear love for the game, and the sport is an inspiring symbol of unity and determination throughout the novel.
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