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4.38 AVERAGE
4.38 AVERAGE
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/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.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The story could be interesting, but this is the most annoying kind of verse to me. Line breaks don't make it poetry.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
What an incredible read! I listened to the audio and it was SO CLEAR it was poetry. Super well done. The book itself is riveting. Really felt for the characters and aaaahhh I can't believe I loved a football book! (I am not sporty.) Highly recommend!
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Racism, Islamophobia, Grief, Deportation
4.5⭐️
I thought this book was so cool. It’s a novel in verse that’s actually about football (no shade on my favourite Jacqueline Woodson) and friendship. I learned some sports vocabulary while falling for Kareem and his whole family. Might be my fav NIV of the year! Since my school has many Syrian kids, I can’t wait to get a copy - it’s out this Tuesday. I listened to the audio, which was great too.
Thanks to LibroFM, Edelweiss and the publisher for advance audio and digital copies.
I thought this book was so cool. It’s a novel in verse that’s actually about football (no shade on my favourite Jacqueline Woodson) and friendship. I learned some sports vocabulary while falling for Kareem and his whole family. Might be my fav NIV of the year! Since my school has many Syrian kids, I can’t wait to get a copy - it’s out this Tuesday. I listened to the audio, which was great too.
Thanks to LibroFM, Edelweiss and the publisher for advance audio and digital copies.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
emotional
inspiring
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes