Review By: Liz Geist
Published: 2024
Genre(s): Middle Grade Fiction, Realistic Literature
Audience: Grades 7 to 9
Content Warnings: Immigration struggles, mentions of war in Syria
Goodreads Link: Kicked Out
Publisher’s Summary:
In this companion novel to the acclaimed Boy, Everywhere , A.M. Dassu returns to extend the story of Sami’s best friend Ali, who organizes a charity soccer match for their friend Aadam while his whole life is privately unraveling.
After their friend Mark’s mum wins the lottery and gets a giant house with an indoor pool, Ali and Sami have been having the time of their lives hanging at Mark’s house. Even their friend Aadam gets a job there, which means he can make more money for his legal battle for UK residency. But when some money goes missing, Aadam is accused of stealing it–and all three boys are unceremoniously kicked out of Mark’s house in suspicion.
On top of that, Ali’s dad, who abandoned the family when Ali was little, is suddenly turning up everywhere in town, and a half-brother Ali never knew has shown up at Ali’s school. Ali feels miserable and resentful about it, making it hard to be a good friend.
The boys know Aadam is innocent, and if he doesn’t raise thousands of pounds right away, he could get deported back to Syria amidst its civil war. At least Ali has a they’ll host a charity football penalty match to raise money for Aadam so he can stay in the UK.
But can Ali pull together the match–even if he feels his whole life at home is falling apart?
Review:
I highly recommend Kicked Out by A.M. Dassu for middle and high school readers. It is an engaging and accessible read, with themes that are relevant to today’s world. The story follows Ali, a young boy who forms a close friendship with Aadam, an unaccompanied minor from Syria. Aadam is seeking asylum in the UK, but because of the war in Syria, he has no papers to prove he is a minor. Things then turn worse when he is falsely accused of stealing money by Callum, a man who is openly racist and cruel.
One of the central themes of the story is friendship. Ali goes above and beyond to support Aadam, even organizing a soccer penalty kick event to raise money for Aadam’s legal fees. The story also explores redemption and forgiveness through Ali’s complicated relationship with his estranged father, who suddenly reappears after many years. Ali struggles between protecting his emotions and giving his father a second chance.
The cover art is eye catching, showing a teen deep in thought with his head in his hands and a soccer ball beside him. This combination will likely draw in readers, especially those who love sports and “footy,” as it is often called in the story.
Overall, Kicked Out is a heartfelt story that will resonate with young readers. It tackles important social issues while delivering a narrative that is personal, engaging, and universally meaningful.
