Austin, the antagonist, is the football coach’s son and the quarterback of the team. He is arrogant and popular, which fuels his attitude that he can get whatever he wants. When Kareem first meets Austin, he describes feeling “small, / unworthy, / insignificant” in comparison (14). These feelings stem from the way Austin treats Kareem as inferior, as evidenced by the fact that Austin does not even call Kareem by his name. Instead, he uses the nickname “K.” because “[i]t’s easier.” Austin’s words illustrate his attitude of condescension toward Kareem; he believes that he can call his classmate whatever he wants and that Kareem will simply accept that Austin’s feelings matter more than his own. Furthermore, the nickname erases Kareem’s Syrian heritage, making acceptance implicitly contingent on this denial. Despite this initial interaction, Kareem longs to be accepted by Austin and to be on the football team, so he goes along with Austin’s demands for homework.

Austin’s characterization is thus key to the novel’s exploration of friendship. Austin is not Kareem’s true friend because his “friendship” comes with strings attached. In fact, the demands increase over time. In math, Austin tells Kareem, “Yo, move your arm / so I can see your answers” (70), and then he scowls when Kareem hesitates. At this point, there is no evidence that Austin is helping Kareem get on the football team, which suggests that he merely wants someone else to do his homework. Furthermore, Austin is repeatedly disrespectful of Syrian culture and Muslims. He calls Fadi “Cereal,” tells Kareem that he is “not American / enough” for the football team (137), and rips the prayer rug out from under Kareem while he is praying. He is a bully who only cares for himself.

For most of the narrative, Austin is a flat, static villain. It is not until Kareem discovers that the quarterback desperately wants his father’s approval that Austin gains complexity as a character. When Austin congratulates Kareem on a good game after the scrimmage, it hints at the possibility of character growth. However, this remains unrealized within the scope of the narrative, where Austin remains defined primarily by his selfish and hateful actions.

Fadi is a refugee from Syria whose kindness makes him a foil to Austin. When Kareem first meets him, he notes that Fadi would “fit right in here in / Indiana” because he has blond hair and blue eyes (61). This description challenges popular misconceptions about what it means to be Arab while simultaneously exposing the narrow, racist conception of what it means to “belong” in America. Furthermore, Fadi is polite and kind, as evidenced when he:

pours coffee into cups,

serves sweets to the grown-ups,

cleans up clutter from the floor,

[and] helps his little sisters find their toys (61).

These actions demonstrate that Fadi is caring, considerate, and respectful; he does what is expected of him, even when he has just arrived in the United States.

Even though Kareem repeatedly turns his back on Fadi and does not protect him from Austin’s bullying, Fadi proves to be a true friend and thus key to the theme of true friendship versus popularity. However, while Fadi is never cruel to Kareem, he does establish clear boundaries. When Kareem, having repeatedly hurt Fadi with his inaction, tries to sit with him at lunch, Fadi honestly tells him, “You were ashamed to be / seen with me in public. / […] you ignored me” (191). These words are the harsh truth that Kareem needs to hear to begin to reconcile their friendship; speaking them illustrates not only Fadi’s self-respect but also his respect for Kareem. As a result, Kareem reflects and writes an apology letter to Fadi, which Fadi accepts. His visit after Kareem’s mother goes missing affirms the boys’ friendship; he hugs Kareem, telling him that “[f]riends make everything better” (263). Fadi’s honesty and care make him this kind of genuine friend to Kareem.

Like Fadi, Jerry is a true friend to Kareem, thus serving as another foil to Austin and furnishing additional evidence of the distinction between true friendship and popularity. When Jerry and Kareem first talk in the library, they discover a mutual love of football. Jerry tells Kareem that he plays “for fun” and compliments Kareem’s abilities: “You’d make a good QB, / Your arm is strong” (115). Then, Jerry gives him advice that improves Kareem’s throws instantaneously.

However, Jerry is also loyal to Fadi, standing by him when no one else does. This illuminates another aspect of Jerry’s status as a foil to Austin; Jerry represents the more welcoming side of American culture. It also leads to conflict with Kareem, as Jerry pushes him to be accountable for his actions. When Kareem insists that Austin ripped Fadi’s poster, Jerry asks, “Did you stand up to him?” (192). This question silences Kareem’s protests that he did nothing wrong; Jerry forces him to acknowledge that his inaction is just as hurtful as the bullying that Fadi endures. When Kareem proves his character growth, the two reconcile, and Jerry’s honesty and support (e.g., at the news station) prove that he is a genuine and valuable friend to Kareem.

Kind but firm, Mama is Kareem’s mother, who not only organizes the family and their volunteer efforts but also guides her son to do the right thing. Kareem calls her “the sweetness of [their] community” because of the many ways she gives back:

She

helps new families find homes,

new learners with English,

refugees find work,

shelters with donations,

food banks with collections (49).

As she explains to her son, “We have been so blessed, Kareem. / It’s important to give back” (49). Her words and actions highlight how much she does for others in need—not because she must, but because she wants to. It is for these reasons, as well as for the calm but firm advice Mama offers, that Kareem misses her so much when she is in Syria. Even in her absence, she proves to be a loving guide for Kareem. After getting in trouble for hiding his father’s phone, Kareem calls her, and she advises, “[T]he best of those who make mistakes / are the ones who repent, / and CORRECT the wrong they did” (177). Beyond encouraging her son to apologize to Baba, her advice highlights the theme of Courage Emerging from Failure, which is central to Kareem’s character arc.

Baba is Kareem’s father. He is a cardiologist managing their family on his own while Mama is in Syria. He cannot accompany her or go in her place because Syria is “at WAR,” and he could be conscripted into the army if he returns. As a result, he is left to care for the children and manage the crises that arise during her absence. Attempting to fill this role while also working as a doctor takes a toll on him; Kareem notices that “[i]t’s like Baba’s grown sharp edges / without Mama’s / soft voice to smooth him over” (95). Despite the stress that manifests in this sharpness, he, too, is a loving parent who just wants what is best for his children. For instance, he talks with Kareem when the latter feels guilty about hiding Baba’s phone, insisting that Jido’s death was not Kareem’s fault. Furthermore, he tells his son to “stop thinking of / [his] past mistakes” (255). Just like Jido and Mama, Baba is a mentor for Kareem.

Jameelah is the strong-minded older sister of Kareem. She is unafraid to stand up for what she believes in, even when it would be easier to remain silent. When a woman approaches them at the ice cream shop, Mama shrinks, trying to hide her hijab. However, Jameelah “flips back her purple hijab” because she “doesn’t / like to hide / her Islam” (44). She is proud of her identity, and when the woman tells her that she does not need to wear the hijab in America, Jameelah retorts that she “WANT[s] / to wear it” (45). Furthermore, after Kareem says that they must fight back against the travel ban, she tells him that “[p]rotesting is in [their] blood. / [as] Syrian Americans” and convinces Baba to take them to the rally at O’Hare Airport in Chicago (210). Both Jameelah’s actions and words reflect her refusal to compromise her identity and beliefs because of other people’s perceptions.

Although Jameelah calls Kareem a “nerd” and often fights with him, she does love him. When they argue, Kareem compares Jameelah to “a referee / who whistles constantly” (84), suggesting impatience with her bossiness. However, they get over their sibling rivalry when Mama gets stuck in Syria and then disappears. They unite in their efforts to bring her home, and Jameelah is even “impressed” when she learns that he will go on television; she tells him, “that’s pretty cool” (300), demonstrating that she is proud of her brother.