Out Of Nowhere

Out Of Nowhere

YA fiction
When the children were quite young we used to attend the
Unitarian Universalist Church over to Bangor. Since the bus didn't
run on Sunday I depended on other congregants for transportation. I
got along with one of the people who gave rides about as well as
Dennis Kucinich would with Sarah Palin. She had one theme. The
United States had to shut the border to immigrants. Whatever
motivated them, too bad, so sad, but they were not our problem.
Predictably by the time we reached my home we would be yelling at each
other, even with all three kids seeing the example I set. In my mind,
she JUST DID NOT GET IT. Immigrants aren't leaving all they know and
love for the chance to take jobs from the native born and buy consumer
goods at WalMart. Many flee horrors we can't begin to imagine, only
to often arrive at places where not only language, but resentment of
native born folks who see them as competitors for scarce resources,
serve as formidable obstacles.
Maria Padian is someone who very much gets it. Her Out Of
Nowhere, a bittersweet coming of age novel, combines a riveting plot
and engaging characters with an honest look at what can happen when a
working class community that has seen better days is inundated with
Somali refugees.
Tom, a high school senior, is soccer team captain. For years
his working class squad has been beaten badly by kids who go to a much
wealthier school and can afford luxeries like travel leagues, camps,
and personal trainers. He'd give just about anything to win one game
against them. It seems like that's a lost cause until four Somalis
join the team. Their style of play is like nothing he's seen, but
they really know how to score. The team may have a fighting chance.
Not everyone in Enniston is happy to have the Somalis in town.
The mayor puts a piece in the paper asking additional refugees to stay
away since the town can't afford to take care of the ones they already
have. Tom's family nicely reflects the split. His Aunt Maddie, an
educated liberal, begins to organize a group to respond to the mayor.
His Uncle Paul, a blue collar high school grad feels the Somalis
should have stayed in their own country instead of taking advantage of
America's misguided generosity. Aren't they a lot like the folks who
took down the Twin Towers?
Tom's impulsive best friend, Donnie, talks him into a prank
against their rival school that ends up badly when the police show
up. He ends up doing community service at the K Street Center where
many Somalis go for help. There and at soccer he learns lot about the
refugees and their religion and customs.
Then things start to go terribly wrong.
Out Of Nowhere is the compelling story of a boy and a community
struggling to cope with serious change. I highly recommend it,
especially for parent-teen book clubs.
On a personal note, last fall I was truly fortunate to meet Maria
Padian at the Bangor Book Festival. She is very smart and personal
and I really appreciated being able to talk to her. She's the total
cat's pajamas.
A great big shout out goes out to people who take refuge in the United
States and all who help them adjust to their new lives.
Julia Emily Hathaway



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