Paris is the city of light less you live in a northern suburb, such as Villeneuve. Matt, an affluent white kid from Montreal, and Freeman, an African American military kid from San Antonio, Texas, learn about the dark side of Paris when they play for the Diables Rouges American-style football team. Each 17-year-old is in Paris for a different reason: Matt, to run away from his domineering mother and her plans for his future; Free, to finish a study-abroad program while coping with his dad's death in Iraq. As the two play with the Diables, they learn about the struggles for North African and Arab immigrant teens and their families. The action-packed book begins just before the championship game; it then rewinds to tell about the boys' lives, and moves forward through the season. Based on a Parisian tragedy from 2005, the story's upsetting turn will take many readers by surprise. Introspective yet fast moving, this high/low offering gives teens plenty to ponder.

Gr 9 Up-Matt and Free are in Paris for different reasons. Matt, a wealthy white Canadian football player, has fled Montreal to get away from parental pressure to take a collegiate and career route that will not fulfill him. While staying with his cousin, he meets up with Moose, an Algerian kid who lives in the projects in Paris. Moose had stayed with Matt's dad as an exchange student the previous summer. Freeman is African American and has earned a scholarship to study abroad in Paris for the summer. He feels guilty for leaving his family behind in San Antonio, especially because they are going through a tough time, but he couldn't pass up the chance of a lifetime. When the two main characters meet, Matt convinces Free to extend his stay in Paris to play for the Diables Rouges, the under-20 team from Moose's neighborhood. As the two foreigners learn more about their teammates and the neighborhood they represent, they see a darker side of Paris than they ever knew existed. Through the lens of football, readers learn about prejudice and racism in Paris. The alternating points of view of Matt and Free add a richness to the story that makes it relatable to a wide variety of readers. The language and some violence, while not overly graphic, make this a choice for mature readers looking for a change of pace. VERDICT This eye-opening offering deserves a spot on most high school library shelves. Hand to readers who seek to broaden their perspectives of the world. Carli Worthman, Carmel Middle School, IN

Matt, a privileged young man from Montreal, Quebec, receives the chance of a lifetime when asked to play football in France. Wanting to escape the life planned for him, he secretly runs away by flying to Paris to join the Diables Rouges football team. While there, he meets Freeman, an African American young man from San Antonio, Texas, with amazing athletic talent who is also running away from his life back home. As the two become teammates, they gain a respect for each other that grows into friendship. Both prove unprepared, however, for Paris's racism toward their Muslim teammates. When a series of events results in irreversible consequences, the city erupts into riots. Matt and Freeman find themselves caught in the midst of violence that demands they choose a side.Away Running is inspired by the true events that resulted in the deaths of three poor, racially mixed boys. Set in Villeneuve, a poverty-stricken suburb of Paris, the novel provides readers with a unique viewpoint of the violent riots that ensued. Themes throughout the novel focus on friendship, racism, and poverty. Character development possesses the potential to connect with male readers, especially athletes. Chapters alternate between Matt and Freeman's points of view to offer multiple perspectives; however, the plot moves slowly, resulting in disengagement. Geared toward readers ages twelve and up, the vocabulary and dialogue seem simplistic and one dimensional in many cases. Educators and librarians seeking sports books to engage specific readers may consider adding this novel to their shelves.Courtney Krieger-Munday.