Outcasts United

Lincoln Hoppe brings a smooth flow to a true story full of struggles. With even tones and seemingly effortless pronunciations, Hoppe introduces the various young immigrants who come together from all over the world, from a multitude of traumatic backgrounds, to form the Fugees soccer team. Hoppe also voices the dreams and disappointments of Coach Luma Mufleh, herself a refugee from Jordan, who is tough enough to create a bond among her disparate members; take on the prejudices of Clarkston, Georgia; and help the story's young adults fight their way to victory over poverty, the temptations of gang life, cultural differences, and learning difficulties. Hoppe melds the story of these challenges as beautifully as Mufleh brings together her team and her community. S.W. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine