Books & Literature

Book Review: The F Team, by Rawah Arjah

YA FICTION; Tariq, a Lebanese teenager, must overcome his anger at the world and become a leader to save his school.

Arjah creates hope to those that may feel marginalised and an opportunity to see a different future for themselves
4.5

The F Team is the debut novel of young Lebanese writer Rawah Arjah, from Punchbowl, Western Sydney.

Her story is about a group of high school boys, living in Punchbowl, who are facing the prospect of their school being closed due to bad press, fighting, and low attendance.

The F Team is told through the eyes of Tariq Nader, a Lebanese boy growing up in a large family where parents are respected and the father rules the house. Everyone is loud, food is always available for anyone who cares to drop in, and they are forever grateful for the many opportunities they have been afforded now they are living in Australia.

Tariq shows promise at his school, Punchbowl Boys, and has been chosen as the BBL (Year 10 Big Brother Leader). But it is not easy when principals and teachers come and go, the facilities are poor and the media goes out of its way to show the school in a poor light.

It is a place where you need to defend your honour at all costs. Constantly being labelled as out of control and at risk of becoming homegrown terrorists, they are given one last chance with a new principal. Mr Archie, who has two terms to turn things around. Tariq is also the leader of “The Wolf Pack,” four boys who have grown up with each other and have always had each other’s back through thick and thin. But they are also angry with the world. They have an opportunity to join a football competition to help rehabilitate their public image. Unfortunately for The Wolf Pack, the other half of the team are from Cronulla: enemy territory! They are boys from families with money and prestige.

Tariq must learn to control his anger: with friends, family and with those he has to play footy. He must learn to become a leader and recognise that other people may have their own issues. But most of all, he needs to realise the importance of family, and those who love him unconditionally, only wanting what is best for him; how important it is to have people who love you. Tariq must eventually realise that everyone has baggage, regardless of race and opportunity, and it is your response to your situation that determines the outcome.

The F Team is a story about racism, religious beliefs, growing up, relationships, sport, pressures of school. It deals with the anger of teenage boys as they navigate life and things that they may find unfair. But most of all, it is a story of family and friendships: the importance of both, but the realisation that family is not just those to whom we are related.

The F Team was written in response to tension that resulted from the Cronulla Riots. Arjah wanted to inspire young people like herself with characters, traditions and places the reader could connect with. Arjah has done all this and more, creating a narrative that gives hope to those that may feel marginalised and an opportunity to see a different future for themselves. She is in no way saying it is easy, and there may be many obstacles along the way, but it is a story of hope with real heart, affording the reader with moments of sadness and loss, but peppered with laugh out loud joyous moments.

Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Sue Mauger

Distributed by: Giramondo Publishing
Released: September 2020
RRP: $22.95

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