Kareem Between - by Shifa Saltagi Safadi

Book Synopsis

**WINNER of the NATIONAL BOOK AWARD for Young People's Literature**

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, now in paperback!

"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

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.

Review Quotes

** 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 Winner
** 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

About the Author

SHIFA SALTAGI SAFADI is the National Book Award-winning author of Kareem Between, the Amina Banana chapter book series, and several picture books, including The Gift of Eid. She has a bachelor's degree in English literature, is a former English teacher, and shares her favorite Muslim books on her blog, Muslim Mommy Blog. Shifa was born in Syria and immigrated to the US with her parents as a young girl. She lives near Chicago with her husband and four children.

Visit Shifa online at ShifaSafadi.com and on Instagram @MuslimMommyBlog!