About this item
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.. "As an Arab-American and a football fan, this book spoke directly to me. It's the exact type of book I would've loved, and needed, as a kid. A perfect mix of a fun and enjoyable read, while being an important book, too." - Jasmine Warga, New York Times bestselling author of and Newbery Honor recipient for Other Words for Home. 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 voluntold to show the new kid - a Syrian refugee with a thick and embarrassing accent - around school.
About the Author
Shifa Saltagi Safadi was born in Syria and immigrated to the US with her parents when she was a young girl. She is a bilingual Arabic/English speaker, and is very familiar with the challenges of learning English and navigating two languages. As a mom to four Arab American children and an English teacher to Middle School students, (and an author!) she now spends her time helping kids develop a love of reading and writing too. You can learn more about her books on her website shifasafadi. com
