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Kareem Between

By: Shifa Saltagi Safadi
Narrated by: Peter Romano
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Publisher's summary

This heartfelt coming-of-age novel in verse tells the powerful story of a seventh-grade Syrian American boy and his struggles, big and small, as he navigates middle school.

"The exact type of book I would've loved, and needed, as a kid."—Jasmine Warga, New York Times bestselling author of and Newbery Honor recipient for Other Words for Home

**FINALIST for the NATIONAL BOOK AWARD**

Seventh grade begins, and Kareem’s already fumbled it.

His best friend moved away, he messed up his tryout for the football team, and because of his heritage, he was voluntold to show the new kid—a Syrian refugee with a thick and embarrassing accent—around school. Just when Kareem thinks his middle school life has imploded, the hotshot QB promises to get Kareem another tryout for the squad. There’s a catch: to secure that chance, Kareem must do something he knows is wrong.

Then, like a surprise blitz, Kareem’s mom returns to Syria to help her family but can’t make it back home. If Kareem could throw a penalty flag on the fouls of his school and home life, it would be for unnecessary roughness.

Kareem is stuck between. Between countries. Between friends, between football, between parents—and between right and wrong. It’s up to him to step up, find his confidence, and navigate the beauty and hope found somewhere in the middle.

©2024 Shifa Saltagi Safadi (P)2024 Listening Library
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Critic reviews

Longlisted for the National Book Award

A Junior Library Guild Selection

A Common Sense Media Selection for Families

★ "A masterfully written, deeply resonant tale."Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"A beautiful story of hope, empathy, confidence, and courage."—Teen Librarian Toolkit

"As an Arab-American and a football fan, this book spoke directly to me. It's the exact type of book I would've loved, and needed, as a kid. A perfect mix of a fun and enjoyable read, while being an important book, too."—Jasmine Warga, New York Times bestselling author of and Newbery Honor recipient for Other Words for Home

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