Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Shifa Saltagi Safadi!
Read on to learn more about the author, the book, and a giveaway!
Meet the Author: Shifa Saltagi Safadi
SHIFA SALTAGI SAFADI is the author of Kareem Between and several picture books, including The Gift of Eid. She has a bachelor’s degree in English literature, teaches ELA at a local middle school, and reviews Muslim books on her blog, Muslim Mommy Blog. Shifa was born in Syria and immigrated to the US with her parents as a young girl. She lives near Chicago with her husband and four children.
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About the Book: 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.
“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. 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, Kareem’s mom returns to Syria to help her family but can’t make it back 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 parents—and between right and wrong. It’s up to him to step up, find his confidence, and navigate the beauty and hope found somewhere in the middle.
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
Kareem Between is a book that was inspired by multiple things in my life. Number one was my son, (and his friends) who are just obsessed with football and the Bears! And he never finds any novels with Muslim kids like him who love football. I wanted him to see that part of him represented in a book.
But also, Kareem is very much inspired by my own life of growing up as a Syrian American- always feeling like I was stuck between my two cultures, always wondering where I fit in. And that moment in my life, where I realized, it wasn’t bad to be in between- that I could be both Syrian and American, and feel belonging- I want to share it with others. I want young readers who feel stuck to also find their own belonging.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
Honestly, probably Jameelah. Kareem’s older sister is so fierce, strong, and confident in herself. She does not allow microaggressions to scare her, she doesn’t back down when bad things happen, and her no-nonsense personality is something I admire. She is also a hijabi Arab girl, and we all need more strong hijabi teen characters to upend stereotypes about Muslim women being oppressed and reflect all the strong Muslim women I see around me.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
I am super proud of the scene where Kareem and his family go to O’Hare to protest the Muslim ban. I can feel the energy and the inspiration in that scene. And to me, it represents the power of the people through protest, showcasing the rights of the American people, even when their own President passes unjust laws. I want this scene to stick with young readers and inspire them to use activism to stand up for themselves and for justice, no matter what the cause.
YABC: What came first, the concept, landscape, characters, or something else?
The concept of football was the first theme I wrote.
I knew I wanted my story to be about a kid who plays the game, who loves the game. And then- I slowly worked on the emotional arc and the historical timeline to tie the emotional story with the school story of Kareem’s life.
I probably should begin my writing with a character fully developed, but I always seem to begin with a theme- and then work on the character emotion from there. A LOT of work!
YABC: If you could only write one genre for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Middle grade forever! I love verse novels and I love the themes of middle grade, and it is definitely the genre of my heart. The way it is so important and so heartwarming makes it the best genre in my opinion. The craft of writing matters, a compelling plot is important- and it also has all the themes of love and friendship that I believe can change the world for the better.
I find my own self gravitating towards middle grade as a fulfilling read most days, even though I am well past the age of readership.
YABC: How do you keep your ‘voice’ true to the age category you are writing within?
I do two things.
One- I read A LOT! I am constantly reading all the new middle grade, and particularly the verse novels that come out. Reading books helps an author have the pulse of middle grade voice come naturally while writing. Often times, subconsciously, I will feel my instincts lead the story a certain way and then realize later on that I can pull that thread or layer more to give impact in the plot.
Another thing I do is observe real kids. As a teacher and a mom to tweens- I have a LOT of personalities to observe. And it makes me feel like the authenticity of kids is easier to write when I base it on real interactions I see. And the DRAMA! There is so much always going on in real life middle school, and the real issues help me see what is important to these kids- what they love, what they value, and what matters to them.
YABC: What can readers expect to find in your books?
My books have a lot of heart in them. I can’t help but write huge emotions in all my stories. I am a very heart-led-emotional person (yes, I cry during kids’ movies) and so I can’t help but add a lot of emotion in my books, moments of sadness and moments of reflection and growth. And lots of family and friendship themes!!
YABC: If you were able to meet them, would you be friends with your main character?
For sure! I love Kareem- he is such a cute kid, and I would totally be his hugest fan in real life (probably cheer him on at games). And I definitely would want to give him a hug when he is down and tell him that things are going to be okay!
YABC: What’s up next for you?
I have a picture book titled The Gift of Eid coming in early 2025 and a Chapter book series called Amina Banana coming out in the summer and fall of 2025. I genuinely cannot wait to share more about these beautiful books- and how they have my whole heart!
YABC: Is there anything that you would like to add?
Thank you so much for having me. And I hope everyone who reads Kareem Between enjoys this story from my heart!
Title: KAREEM BETWEEN
Author: Shifa Saltagi Safadi
Release Date: 9/10/2024
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0593699262
ISBN-13: 9780593699263
Genre: Middle Grade Novel in Verse
Age Range: 8-12
~ Giveaway Details ~
Three (3) winners will receive a copy of KAREEM BETWEEN (Shifa Saltagi Safadi) ~US Only!
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*
