Kareem Between

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. "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 **LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD** 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 volun told 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,... 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. Seventh grade begins and Kareems fall should be off to a great start. But hes already fumbled it.His best friend moved away, he bungled 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 hot-shot QB promises to get Kareem another tryout for the squad. Theres a to secure that chance, Kareem must do something he knows is wrong.Then like a surprise blitz, Kareems mom returns to Syria to bring her aging parents out of a war zone and to the United States. But a new executive order prevents her from coming 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 parentsand between right and wrong. Its up to him to step up, find his confidence, and navigate the beauty and hope found somewhere in the middle.