2015
Outcasts United: An American Town, A Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference by Warren St. John
The book tells the 
true story of a refugees from wars in the Middle East and Africa who were re-settled
in the small town of Clarkson, Georgia, a new miles outside of Atlanta. The process
was as unsettling for the refugees – particularly the teenagers – as it was for the
townspeople. For the young men, soccer was a common link – and Outcasts United is about the struggle of a young Muslim woman to build that link into a team, and
a league that could bring the Clarkson community together.
“The book is well-written, the story is compelling and the message is very important,” said David Jolliffe, co-chair of the committee. “Outcasts United raises so many important issues that citizens, young and old, in the U.S. should consider: the responsibility to relocate refugees from the world's danger zones, the attitudes that develop in response to the resulting diversity, and the strength newcomers show as they strive to assimilate into a new culture”
“In several ways this is a perfect choice One Book, One Community,” said Kevin Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the committee. “It’s about a community coming together to deal with change and conflict. Every community in this country faces these kinds of issues, and hopefully reading this book can provide new insights for communities across Northwest Arkansas and the state.”
Warren St. James is a reporter for the New York Times and author of Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer: A Journey into the Heart of Fan Mania (2004). He will visit the U of A Thursday, Nov. 5, and give a free public lecture on his book at 6:30 p.m. in Hillside Auditorium. He will also speak to Fayetteville Public Library book club members at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6.
The book will be suggested reading for all U of A freshmen in the University Perspectives class, and is expected to be a part of other course curriculums as well. Book clubs connected to the Fayetteville Public Library will be reading Outcasts United, and all members of the university and Northwest Arkansas communities are encouraged to read and discuss it.
This will be the seventh year of the One Book, One Community project. Its success on campus and in the community prompted Chancellor G. David Gearhart to provide the project with a permanent budget, drawing on money from private donations to the Chancellor’s Fund.
“The committee is very grateful to the chancellor for his support,” said Fitzpatrick. “We believe this support will go a long way toward helping the One Book, One Community project become an essential and sustainable program at the University of Arkansas. We are working to build a program that enriches our students’ education and becomes a memorable experience for the entire community.”
Students in their University Perspectives course and several other classes will read, discuss and write about Outcasts United as part of their course assignments.