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Kareem Between

Editor's Note: This review was originally published in Seattle Book Review.
Author Shifa Saltagi Safadi

Kareem, an American born to Syrian immigrant parents, is desperate to join the middle-school football team. His best friend, Adam, has moved away and Kareem is determined to make the team for a sense of belonging. But the quarterback, Austin, is the coach’s son and has other ideas for Kareem’s ambitions. In another part of the world, Kareem’s grandfather, Jido, is not doing so well. Mama had to leave the U.S. to go to Syria to get Jido the help he needed. Just as Mama was getting ready to come back, Former President Trump issued an executive order banning people from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. Despite the odds, Kareem and his family must find a way to get Mama back home.

Shifa Saltagi Safadi has penned a heartwarming if not heart-wrenching, all-American coming-of-age story against the backdrop of the divisive Muslim ban. Told in first-person verse from the protagonist’s perspective, Kareem Between uses language that is both approachable and relatable, making it a compelling read for young readers. The book delves into the struggles of a middle-schooler trying to fit in, do the right thing, and stand up against bullies, while also shedding light on the impact of Islamophobic policies. Kareem’s journey, though challenging, teaches him valuable lessons about the importance of culture, family, and friendship.

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