In this episode, I have the privilege of speaking with Eddie Kawooya, author of the Ace and the Misfits series. We talk about how immigrant kids can foster friendships and a sense of purpose through sports.
Inspired by his own immigrant experiences, Eddie brings to life a community of young boys who thrive through sports and a joint sense of purpose. Upheld by the storytelling traditions of his Ugandan heritage, and specifically, his grandmother’s stories, Eddie’s Ace and the Misfits series is nostalgic and provides crucial insights into the lives of young, immigrant boys.
Show highlights
- Eddie’s journey as an artist
- Discussing Ace and the Misfits vs The Soccer Knights
- Drawing from his immigrant experience to write the book
- Unpacking the challenges of immigration in children
- Learning from his grandmother and drawing from Ugandan storytelling traditions
- The hardest part of the book to write
- Addressing the challenges of young, immigrant boys
- Writing in the language of Gen Alphas
- Tips for writing for African children in the diaspora
- Full circle: Describing how he feels about his writing now
“My grandmother always holds a special spot for me and for a lot of my siblings and the rest of my family. Whenever she told a story, she would start it off with some kind of proverb, and she would end it with a proverb. But within that story was understanding the humanity of a person because she always understood that everyone has a good side and a bad side to them.”
Eddie Kawooya
Ace and the Misfits vs the Soccer Knights is forthcoming in Spring 2026.
Got any thoughts on this episode or want to suggest authors you’d like to see on the show? Send me a note here.
Listen on Spotify
Listen on other platforms
Watch the show
About Eddie Kawooya
Eddie Kawooya’s love for writing was inspired by his grandmother’s oral stories and folklore of Uganda’s ancestral past. His first book, Ace and the Misfits, was published in 2024. A fish-out-of-water story of immigration and the pains and joys of integration into a new, and sometimes frightening, environment. The sequel novel, Ace and the Misfits vs the Soccer Knights, is inspired by his love for soccer and communal impact.
About Ace and the Misfits vs The Soccer Knights
When thirteen-year-old Ace, a recently arrived Ugandan immigrant, joins up with “the Misfits”—other kids at school who share the challenges of life in a new country—to play soccer, they soon find themselves trying to qualify for a high-stakes tournament.
With themes of friendship, self-worth, and finding balance in a new culture, this fast-paced novel explores the power and challenges in finding community through sport, taking the characters of Eddie Kawooya’s first book, Ace and the Misfits (2024), into a lively new adventure.
Guest’s links
Pre-order Ace and Misfits vs The Soccer Knights: https://lernerbooks.com/shop/show/26221
Follow Eddie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boundless_kawooya/
Host’s links
Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/
Discover more from Journey of the Art
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.