Kareem Between

Shifa Saltagi Safadi, Author

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Safadi, Shifa Saltagi. 2024. KAREEM BETWEEN. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 9780593855700.

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Kareem Between is a novel of poems about a seventh-grade Syrian American boy named Kareem. Kareem is navigating his middle school life while also balancing a cultural identity, friendships, and family expectations. As he navigates a major transition in life, he struggles with a sense of belonging, relationships, and understanding where he fits between two cultures. It is a story of emotional growth through the learning of identity and self-expression. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

A novel of poems written in conversational text that reflects the voice of a middle school student. Safadi’s structure of the novel allows for Kareem’s thoughts to be felt personally and allow the reader to connect to his struggles in real time. The recurring themes include friendship, his identity and the sense of cultural belonging. His experiences reflect the feeling of being inbetween cultures and expectations. It allows for the complexity of adolescence to be felt but not in an overwhelming detail but rather authenticity and relatable. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal – “The nonlinear text makes the story dynamic and engaging, drawing readers in from page one.”

“Heartfelt and personal…. a tale of true depth.” —The Horn Book

“A masterfully written, deeply resonant tale.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

5. CONNECTIONS

• A good book to read and discussion what it means to feel “in between” different identities or groups. 
• Related Books:

Lai, Thanhhà. INSIDE OUT & BACK AGAIN
Woodson, Jacqueline. BROWN GIRL DREAMING