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Diego is born deaf and unable to make sounds with his vocal cords. As the middle child in a family of undocumented immigrants, Diego often has to do without many things in his life, including functional hearing aids. Ever an undaunted learner, he figures out how to read lips, and from there, nothing can hold him back as he works toward his goal of becoming a soccer star.
Diego tells his story of growing up deaf and poor as he makes his way through high school, to college, and eventually onto the U-20 men’s national soccer team. His hard work and positive personality help him through life’s hardships, including a distant father, a drug-addicted older sister, and the ups and downs of love and heartbreak. Throughout, Diego stays committed to his goal of doing his best in academics and on the soccer field, and all of his hard work pays off. He spends his adolescent years facing bullies and struggling to make ends meet. But by the time Diego is eighteen, he gets to live the life he has always dreamed of—a life full of friends, love, and fame.
While the main character in this coming-of-age novel is deaf, the plot does not center on his condition. The only thing about Diego’s disability that holds him back is others’ perceptions of his limitations. This valuable lesson is repeated often enough in the book to give readers a sense of how frequently disabled people must deal with naysayers and lack of accommodation. While Diego’s all-forgiving nature may come across to some as a little unrealistic for an adolescent male, his attitude in the face of his struggles is exemplary. Anyone dealing with challenges in their lives will be able to relate to Diego’s journey and celebrate his achievements.
A 2022 Eric Hoffer Book Award Grand Prize Short List book