Tangerine

Paul Fisher is a legally blind soccer goalkeeper who has moved to Tangerine County, Florida, where underground coal fires burn indefinitely and lightning strikes are a daily occurrence. He wears thick goggles due to a childhood injury he cannot fully remember, though he suspects his older brother, Erik, is responsible. While Erik enjoys status as a star football kicker, Paul struggles to find his footing within a dysfunctional school system and an ultra-competitive sports culture. He eventually joins a diverse middle school soccer team, finding common ground through physical discipline and teamwork. As the local environment literally collapses into sinkholes, Paul begins to uncover the truth about his vision loss and his brother's violent behavior.

Athletes and young adults read this book to understand the intersection of physical performance and family integrity. Readers see how sports provide an outlet for personal agency when institutional structures fail. The narrative demonstrates the importance of situational awareness and the courage required to challenge a family’s false image. By the end, a reader understands that true sight involves acknowledging uncomfortable facts rather than accepting a curated version of the past. It offers a clear look at how honesty provides the foundation for genuine mental and physical resilience.

Clear-cut; an easy read.

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