Restless Books

Exuberant, playful, and evergreen, The Game at the End of the World revels in the grass-stained highlights of a sport without borders or boundaries. Soccer (née football) fans will rejoice at this all-new volume of crackling essays from the author of God Is Round. Here, Juan Villoro explores the sport through the elements that make it the world's favorite pastime, from its ancient origins, near-mythic players, exhilarating matches, endemic rivalries, and the unlikely moments in which football has changed history. As a prolific writer and chronicler of World Cup games around the world, Villoro draws on a rich cultural mosaic to inspire readers, players, and fans long after the final whistle blows. With a journalist's ear and a philosopher's outlook, he has produced a collection for curious newcomers and lifelong football buffs alike.

I miss my home; if only I could shrink him with a magic spell and carry him with me! Or what if he was big and strong enough to protect us on our long journey? Did you know that every year, millions of children have to leave their homes behind? Sometimes a flood or a drought makes their homes unsafe. Sometimes a war breaks out and forces whole communities to flee. When two small children set out to find a safer place to live, they decide to do the impossible: they carry their homes with them. One child uses a magic spell to shrink their house; the other’s house becomes so big and strong it can protect them and everyone else who needs help, too.