One Goal

One Goal follows the transformation of Lewiston, Maine as thousands of Somali refugees resettle in the former mill town during the early 2000s. The narrative centers on the Lewiston High School boys' soccer team and their quest for a state championship, led by coach Mike McGraw. The book chronicles the initial tensions and eventual bonds formed between the longtime residents and newly arrived Somali students through the lens of soccer. Through extensive interviews and research, Bass documents how the sport became a bridge between cultures in a community grappling with demographic change. The story tracks Coach McGraw and his players both on and off the field as they pursue athletic excellence while navigating cultural differences, economic hardship, and evolving community dynamics. The team's journey becomes intertwined with larger questions about immigration, identity, and belonging in small-town America. This deeply reported account demonstrates how shared goals and mutual understanding can unite divided communities, while exploring universal themes of perseverance and transformation through sport.

Readers praise the book's focus on how soccer united a divided Maine community, particularly through the stories of Somali refugees and their integration into Lewiston. Many highlight Bass's detailed reporting and her ability to weave together sports, immigration, and social change narratives. Specific praise centers on the authentic portrayal of both immigrant and long-time resident perspectives, with one reader noting "Bass never oversimplifies the complex dynamics at play." Critics point to pacing issues in the first third of the book and note some repetition in the storytelling. Several readers mention wanting more direct quotes from the players themselves. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (150+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4.5/5 (40+ ratings) Common review quotes include "timely and relevant" and "shows how sports can bridge cultural divides." Some readers note the book works well for both sports fans and those interested in immigration issues.

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🏆 The Lewiston Blue Devils' remarkable 2015 championship win marked the first state soccer title for Lewiston High School in Maine's history, uniting a town divided by cultural tensions. 🌍 Many of the soccer players featured in the book were Somali refugees who had fled civil war, with some living in Kenyan refugee camps before settling in Lewiston, Maine. 📚 Author Amy Bass is a professor of sport studies at Manhattanville College and won an Emmy Award for her work with NBC's Olympic coverage. 🏃‍♂️ The Blue Devils team featured players who spoke six different languages, requiring creative communication strategies during practices and games. 🌱 The influx of Somali immigrants helped revitalize Lewiston's downtown area and brought new life to the former mill town, which had been experiencing economic decline since the 1970s.