Now is the Time for Running ~ Michael Williams

Friends, I am truly speechless after finishing this novel. Since closing the book, I have been sitting on my couch for a very long time, staring at my computer screen, trying to find the words to share with you just how special and important this story is.  In Now is the Time for Running, Michael Williams tells the story of Deo Nyandoro, a boy forced to flee Zimbabwe when the cruel and violent government kills his family and entire village. He and his brother, Innocent, escape, just barely, to South Africa.  

They arrive in Cape Town, at first amazed by the modern cities, but soon learn that xenophobia is rampant, and they are not welcome. Faced again with horrifying violence, the boys live on the streets, barely surviving each day. Just when Deo believes all is lost and he cannot face another day of trauma and sadness, he gets recruited to join a street soccer team and has a chance to play in the Homeless World Cup (a real tournament)! This story was inspired by a 2008 photo of a man burning alive in the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Deo’s story is based on the reality of many refugees who fled to South Africa from all over Africa seeking asylum. This story is important, especially now.  I encourage all students, grade 6 and up to read this novel.  Any child interested in reading about other countries, overcoming trauma, adventure, survival, or the power of team sports will enjoy this novel.  

Buy it here!  

Maturity: 2/4

While the majority of this novel is appropriate for most readers age 12+, there are descriptions of violence in the novel. The novel also alludes to one character who Deo meets on the streets being a prostitute, but it is never stated (read p. 150-151 for specifics). Additionally, toward the end of the novel, Deo uses drugs for a short time (read p. 173-174 for specifics).  These aspects of the novel are not the focus of the story, but do help illustrate the challenges refugees in South Africa faced.

Pages: 228

Lexile: 650L

Lexile is a score that helps educators and parents match students with an appropriate text. A Lexile score is a measure of both a child’s reading ability and a text difficulty. However, Lexile does not take into account the content of a novel. So, pairing readers with a text is a complex process, and knowledge of a novel’s themes and plot is necessary to make a high-quality recommendation.If you are curious about the grade-level equivalent to Lexile scores, check out the conversion chart here!

♥ Kara & Riley