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Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi
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Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi
Hardcover $18.99
Sep 10, 2024 | ISBN 9780593699263

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    Sep 10, 2024 | ISBN 9780593699263 | Middle Grade (8-12)

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  • Sep 10, 2024 | ISBN 9780593699270 | Middle Grade (8-12)

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  • Sep 10, 2024 | ISBN 9780593944813 | Middle Grade (8-12)

    202 Minutes

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Praise

** Winner of the 2024 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature
** A School Library Journal Best Middle Grade Book of 2024
** A Chicago Public Library Best Fiction for Older Readers of 2024
** A PEOPLE Magazine Best Kids Book of 2024

** A Junior Library Guild Selection
** Texas Lone Star Reading List selection
** NCTE Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novel
** A Common Sense Media Selection for Families
** ALSC Notable Children’s Book 2025
** Cybils Novel in Verse Award Finalist
** Jane Addams Children Book Award Finalist
** ILA Notable Book for a Global Society 2025
** CSMCL Best Books of 2024

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

“Dynamic and engaging, drawing readers in from page one. Safadi weaves a story of identity, growing up, standing up for what’s right, and boyhood.” – School Library Journal (starred review)

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

“Kareem’s voice effectively weaves the lived experiences of many children of immigrants in a post-2016 world, while also incorporating classic middle-grade drama and abundant literary allusions. For fans of Kwame Alexander, Daniel Nayeri, and sports-heavy books with broad appeal.” Booklist

“Heartfelt and personal….a tale of true depth.”The Horn Book

“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

“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

I was moved by this tender-hearted story told in verse about Kareem, a Syrian-American boy, who dreams of playing for the NFL. Like in a game of football, Kareem’s story will pull you in with each emotion-filled play and pass — as he navigates friendships, straddles between childhood and adolescence, discovers the U.S. isn’t always a safe place for his family and people, and learns how to find his power and voice. From the sidelines, my heart raced and ached for Kareem and his family hoping all would be well when he reached the other side of the field. KAREEM BETWEEN is an important addition to middle grade literature, a new perspective we desperately need to find hope and empathy in our divided world. —Aida Salazar, award-Winning author of Ultraviolet

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