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4.37 AVERAGE
4.37 AVERAGE
fast-paced
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Racism, Islamophobia, Toxic friendship
Minor: Terminal illness, Deportation
This was a wonderful read! It's a story full of heart, hope and meaning! Following along as Kareem finds a voice for himself, his friends and his family and community was great! It's an emotional story that touches on so many difficult topics but one that should definitely be in all of our schools! Thank you StoryGram Tours, Shifa Saltagi Safadi and Penguin Kids for sharing this book with me!
Loved. YA (Middle Grade book) Engaging format, football facts, English facts, Syrian Immigrant.
Read as part of my National Book Award personal challenge 2/25, 1/5 for YA
Read as part of my National Book Award personal challenge 2/25, 1/5 for YA
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
on audio, I could not tell this was in verse. But the verse does make it move faster, the story unfolds very quickly. Kareem makes some very questionable choices that make sense at 12, and sometimes have real consequences because of things outside of his control. It's also full of football references which is probably great for some, tough for me.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
5th & up
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, Xenophobia
Moderate: War, Deportation
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. This novel in verse is phenomenal. Syrian-American seventh grader Kareem is obsessed with football. He explains everything in football terms. But his best friend has moved away and he messes up at football tryouts. When the bully son of the coach promises to put in a good word for him with his dad if Kareem does his homework, Kareem agrees without fully thinking about what he’s getting into. And when Austin starts bullying Kareem’s new Syrian friend, he feels stuck. Then his mom travels to Syria to try and bring his ill grandfather to the U.S. for care, only to get stuck abroad due to the Muslim ban, which is enacted while she’s away. Kareem then figures out what is most important, and vows to make his voice heard. Buying multiple for my library when it’s out on 9/10/24.