{"product_id":"kareem-between-9780593699263","title":"Kareem Between","description":"\u003cb\u003eThis award-winning, 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. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"The exact type of book I would've loved, and \u003ci\u003eneeded\u003c\/i\u003e, as a kid.\" --Jasmine Warga, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author and Newbery Honor recipient for \u003ci\u003eOther Words for Home\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSeventh grade begins, and Kareem's already fumbled it. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHis best friend moved away, he messed up his tryout for the football team, and because of his heritage, he was volun\u003ci\u003etold\u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThen, 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eKareem 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e** Winner of the 2024 National Book Award for Young People's Literature** Global Read Aloud Selection ** \u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e Best Middle Grade Book ** Chicago Public Library Best Fiction for Older Readers ** PEOPLE Magazine Best Kids Book ** Junior Library Guild Selection** Texas Lone Star Reading List selection ** Common Sense Media Selection for Families** Cybils Novel in Verse Award Winner** Jane Addams Children Book Award Finalist** ILA Notable Book for a Global Society** Bank Street's Best Children's Books of the Year**\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSHIFA SALTAGI SAFADI\u003c\/b\u003e is the National Book Award winning author of \u003ci\u003eKareem Between\u003c\/i\u003e, the Amina Banana series, and several picture books, including \u003ci\u003eThe Gift of Eid\u003c\/i\u003e. She has a bachelor's degree in English literature, is a former English teacher, and is passionate about spreading her love of reading and writing through school visits and story-times. 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eVisit Shifa online at ShifaSafadi.com and on Instagram @ShifaSaltagiSafadi\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50875075821842,"sku":"9780593699263","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_ca35f89b-0f0f-4250-bf4b-f89391bff079.jpg?v=1755852377","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/kareem-between-9780593699263","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}