This is one of those books in which the location is almost a character of its own. Fourteen-year-old Deo and his older brother Innocence live in Zimbabwe, but their lives are changed forever when soldiers come to their village and massacre everyone. Suddenly the two brothers are forced to run – to South Africa, where they have been told they will be safe.

Now is the Time for Running is a middle-grade novel about two brothers and their love of soccer. When soldiers come to Deo and Innocent’s village in Zimbabwe, their life is changed forever. Their mother and grandfather are killed; Innocent is tied up by the soldiers. Although Deo is younger, he has always had to protect Innocent, his older mentally disabled brother.

With nothing left at their home the two brothers set out on a journey to find their father in South Africa; they bring only a soccer ball stuffed with money and Innocent’s cereal box full of personal treasures. Their journey is anything but easy and their safe escape to South Africa brings more persecution for being Zimbo. Can Deo and Innocent survive in their new home and find their father? You’ll have to read Now is the Time for Running to find out.

Translation in Iran

The translation of the book published in Iran in 2018 by Cheshmeh. The Book has re-printed two times and has remarkable reviews in the market.