One Goal

By: Amy Bass

Narrated by: Will Collyer, Amy Bass

Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

In the tradition of Friday Night Lights and Outcasts United, One Goal tells the inspiring story of the soccer team in a town bristling with racial tension that united Somali refugees and multi-generation Mainers in their quest for state - and ultimately national - glory. When thousands of Somali refugees resettled in Lewiston, Maine, a struggling, overwhelmingly white town, longtime residents grew uneasy.

Then the mayor wrote a letter asking Somalis to stop coming, which became a national story. While scandal threatened to subsume the town, its high school's soccer coach integrated Somali kids onto his team, and their passion began to heal old wounds.

Taking listeners behind the tumult of this controversial team - and onto the pitch where the teammates vied to become state champions and achieved a vital sense of understanding - One Goal is a timely story about overcoming the prejudices that divide us.

©2018 Amy Bass (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"In this gripping account of Lewiston's journey to its first-ever high-school soccer state championship, history professor Bass vividly tells the stories of the Somalis and Lewiston, exploring the resistance and racism the refugees faced in town and on the field....a heartening example of sport's ability to bring people together...Engrossing and informative." (Booklist)

"Amy Bass tells a story that encompasses many of the things people love about sports, but also epitomizes many of the reasons sports matter." (Bob Costas)

"[A] relevant and rewarding narrative... Bass's effective portrayal of Lewiston as a microcosm of America's changing culture should be required reading." (Publishers Weekly)

Check pronunciations!

This is a great story. I worked across the river in Auburn during this season, and I was oblivious to all of it. I appreciate learning about it.

However, the narrator struggled with pronouncing names (but surprisingly NOT most of the Somali names--the typical French names that are much more common!) and towns. It won't affect most listeners' experience, but we Mainahs will cringe every time.

Phenomenal story and a Message for Our Times

This is a story about people learning to learn to appreciate diversity in community, a message so important hear says that I’m planning on requiring it as a text in my first year college class. The descriptions are vivid and the author helps readers feel we know the people and experience this odyssey with them. Highly recommend…even if you don’t care about soccer!

Highly recommended.

I can’t imagine this terrific story told any better. A wonderful listen all around, even if you’re not especially interested in soccer.

she knows

She knows soccer, and the feeling of those who play it. Well worth the read...

Fun listening. True Story of a tough road to acceptance.

Important story of tolerance (though not assimilation) disguised in a fun setting of soccer. The story is especially fun for soccer aficionados (which unfortunately I am not, hence the 4 rather than 5 stars).

An all around great listen that shows you the best of America.

To start with, this book opens up a culture to the listener and introduces to us what refugees faced when they came to the states. It dives into the hardships these families experienced not only in their native countries, but in their adopted country. It shines a much deserved light on the people in one community who helped unite a town with the game of soccer. My kids also loved listening to this. It’s a must listen and I highly recommend it.

Excellent Book!

This is an amazing story about trying to find your way in a new community that does not want you. it's a story about awareness, acceptance and strength. Strong characters! Old New Englanders learning new ways!