Kareem Between || Novel in Verse Ch 1

Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd · Beginner ·🍎 Teaching & Learning Design ·8mo ago

About this lesson

First Chapter Friday Read-Aloud: Kareem Between by Shifa Safadi What does it mean to be stuck between? Between countries, between friends, between right and wrong? In this First Chapter Friday, word nerd Amanda Zieba reads from Kareem Between — the National Book Award–winning novel in verse by Shifa Safadi. Book Blurb: Seventh-grader Kareem’s school year isn’t going according to plan. His best friend moved away, he blew his football tryout, and now he’s been assigned to show a new Syrian refugee student around school — a kid everyone is already teasing. When the star quarterback offers Kareem another chance to make the team, it sounds like the perfect fix… until it comes with a cost Kareem isn’t sure he can pay. Told in heartfelt, accessible verse, Kareem Between is a powerful story about identity, belonging, and finding courage in the space between two worlds. Perfect for classroom discussions about empathy, choices, and cultural connection. Teachers, Use this read-aloud to spark conversations about friendship, integrity, and standing up for what’s right. Great for poetry units, identity themes, and SEL connections. Watch. Reflect. Fall in love with reading—one chapter at a time, then, comment below: If you could write a story in verse about your life, what moment would you include first? Interactive First Chapter Friday Worksheets for students (and a whole lot more!) are available in the Word Nerd Collaborative Membership: www.wordnerdcollaborative.com or on Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2025-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Aloud-Videos-Middle-School-Reading-Resource-14351512 Grab your copy of Kareem Between here (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3Jj85Q6 ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books celebrating stories. Each video in this playlist features a book chosen by

Original Description

First Chapter Friday Read-Aloud: Kareem Between by Shifa Safadi What does it mean to be stuck between? Between countries, between friends, between right and wrong? In this First Chapter Friday, word nerd Amanda Zieba reads from Kareem Between — the National Book Award–winning novel in verse by Shifa Safadi. Book Blurb: Seventh-grader Kareem’s school year isn’t going according to plan. His best friend moved away, he blew his football tryout, and now he’s been assigned to show a new Syrian refugee student around school — a kid everyone is already teasing. When the star quarterback offers Kareem another chance to make the team, it sounds like the perfect fix… until it comes with a cost Kareem isn’t sure he can pay. Told in heartfelt, accessible verse, Kareem Between is a powerful story about identity, belonging, and finding courage in the space between two worlds. Perfect for classroom discussions about empathy, choices, and cultural connection. Teachers, Use this read-aloud to spark conversations about friendship, integrity, and standing up for what’s right. Great for poetry units, identity themes, and SEL connections. Watch. Reflect. Fall in love with reading—one chapter at a time, then, comment below: If you could write a story in verse about your life, what moment would you include first? Interactive First Chapter Friday Worksheets for students (and a whole lot more!) are available in the Word Nerd Collaborative Membership: www.wordnerdcollaborative.com or on Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2025-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Aloud-Videos-Middle-School-Reading-Resource-14351512 Grab your copy of Kareem Between here (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3Jj85Q6 ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books celebrating stories. Each video in this playlist features a book chosen by

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