Book Pages

Saturday, June 15, 2024

Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi

How I Came Across It... *Putnam Publishers/Penguin Random House sent me an ARC of this upcoming middle-grade novel that will be released in September of 2024. I spent a couple of June summer days enjoying this story about a young boy named Kareem. What It's About - Five Things You Need to Know... *Kareem has a goal of becoming the quarter back for his middle-school football team.

*The current "star" of the football team tells Kareem he can help him get on the team, but only if Kareem completes his homework and projects for him.

*Kareem then becomes stuck between doing what the football player wants and a new student that is also close to Kareem's family.

*When his mother must travel back to Syria, Kareem feels even most lost and confused.

*Throughout the story, Kareem is faced with several difficult decisions and feels caught "between" some hard life choices. What I Thought of It - Five Observations/Reflections... *This story was told in verse and quite beautifully written.  

*I enjoyed getting to know Kareem and could really "feel" what he was going through.

*The story is based on some real-life events that occurred in our country in 2017.  I didn't remember these events happening and it was quite educational to read about Kareem's family dealing with some harsh realities.  

*I'm not a huge fan of football, but did enjoy the football analogies related to the events happening to Kareem, his family, and his friends.  

*This is the type of story to be shared with young readers because not only will they enjoy Kareem's journey, but will learn quite a bit along the way.
Who Should Read It... *Even though the story centers around a seventh grade character, I think the novel could be shared with readers in grades four, five, and six. Of course it would be perfect for kids in middle school because they will be able to relate and connect with Kareem and his fellow characters. Happy Reading! Rating...
4 out of 5 stars



No comments:

Post a Comment