Steve Wilson (3)

The Boys from Little Mexico is one of those rare gems of literary non-fiction that exhibits beautiful writing and a compelling narrative while promoting true understanding among people and groups who might not otherwise come into contact with each other. It's about so much more than sports; it is about the meaning of sports for the players and coaches we meet while reading it. Some of these boys knew that a soccer scholarship was their only shot at a four-year college education; others show more acknowledged that soccer gave them a reason not to drop out of high school. But on a more abstract level, soccer had the potential to give them a vision of success, a feeling of self-confidence, and a commitment to hard work. But, consequently, losses on the field sometimes seemed to portend weightier, life-altering losses.

Anyone who wishes to understand the nuanced and so very human elements behind immigration and education policies should read this book. But even though this book deals with important, heavy issues, it doesn't feel like one of those books we all know we "should" read but don't really want to. On the contrary, the writing is quite engaging. On multiple occasions, I wasn't able to put the book down after I got off the subway so I kept reading it while walking to work! Even though I'm not really a sports fan, I was drawn into the fast-paced soccer games and even found myself holding my breath to find out if the ball would successfully make it between the goal posts. Steve Wilson manages to write these scenes in a way that soccer fans and neophytes alike will be able to visualize and experience the games much as they would if they were actually in the stands (and in the case of neophytes like me, we understand what's going on much better than we would if we were just watching a game). Similarly, Wilson's descriptions of political policies bear immediate relevancy to the lives of those in the story and, as such, manifest the complexities and importance of these issues while advancing the book's enthralling narrative. I highly recommend The Boys from Little Mexico to anyone who cares about education, immigration, sports, or just a really good story. show less

The Boys from Little Mexico is a non-fiction book about a tiny, Oregon high school soccer team's quest for a state championship. However there is more to the story than that because unlike almost every other team in the state, the team is almost entirely Hispanic. This is not just a book about sports; it is also a realistic portrayal of the lives of people who have come to this country in an effort to make a better life. Character development in this book is excellent. We learn about the show more characters through the unfolding of the story. In light of the current immigration debate in this country, this book allows us to look into a world that is not portrayed in the media. It's a view that we rarely get to see, one that shows how immigration impacts the kids trying to achieve the American dream. show less

Writer Steve Wilson follows the soccer team, Woodburn High's Bulldogs (or Los Perros) in 2005, documenting the struggles and triumphs of a group of young Hispanic teenagers -- some who are undocumented and others who barely speak English. This book is not about soccer, not really, but is a look into the world of young men who want to make it in America. The Boys From Little Mexico is likely to draw comparisons to the book, Friday Night Lights, and with the careful attention to individual show more people profiles, it's easy to see why. But, in my opinion, Wilson's book has more heart and soul. Whether or not we care about soccer is besides the point -- when we read this book, we care about the people introduced in its pages. show less

I don't read much nonfiction, but was really drawn into this story of a high school soccer team, mostly made up of immigrants, in Woodburn Oregon.