Kareem Between

De: Shifa Saltagi Safadi

Narrado por: Peter Romano

Duración: 3 h

Resumen del Editor

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.

"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

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

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Riveting, powerful, and soul-stirring, this is a beautifully written story of triumph amid tragedy that I know every young reader—and their adults—will love. Fresh, accessible, and compelling, middle grade at its very best!”—S. K. Ali, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author

“An immersive story that captures the nuances of middle school friendships, family challenges, and the difficult realities of being “stuck” between two different worlds."—Maleeha Siddiqui, acclaimed author of Barakah Beats and Any Way You Look

“Safadi cleverly weaves together spare verse creating an emotionally compelling and action-packed story."—Reem Faruqi, award-winning author of Unsettled