Kareem makes the video and posts it, saying a quiet prayer. Jameelah whispers that he does not have to do her chores. Back in his room, he hangs up his Bears poster again.

By Monday, there are only 25 views of Kareem’s video. Like in some football games, he did not make as much progress as he had hoped. However, he vows to try again.

When the family picks Fadi up, Kareem tells him that the video did not go viral and that they are going to discuss plan B later.

NFL Fact #22 describes a “flea flicker” as a ruse where the quarterback makes a lateral toss to the running back, who then throws the ball downfield. At school, after praying, Kareem accompanies Jerry and Fadi to a table in the lunchroom, where he eats his labneh sandwich.

Noticing that his father is stressed, Kareem has a plan that he hopes will bring Mama home. He asks Baba to take him and Fadi to the library after school.

NFL Fact #23 explains that when a wide receiver sprints far down the field, it is called a streak. Kareem and Fadi meet Jerry at the library and plan to make a “streak” through the news station next door. Though nervous, they know their plan will work better because they are a team.

Fadi, Jerry, and Kareem sneak into the news building. As Fadi distracts the security guard, Jerry and Kareem sneak into the elevator.

On the fourth floor, they step inside a dark room with cameras facing the anchors’ table in front of a green screen. They hear nothing but their footsteps. In the midst of figuring out how to record Kareem talking about the Muslim ban, they are stopped by a man who suddenly appears.

Kareem yells for Jerry to run, but Jerry trips near the elevator. Refusing to leave Jerry, Kareem stands his ground and helps his friend up.

Kareem recalls The Diary of a Wimpy Kid and how the main character, Greg, learns that “[t]rue friends / stand / with each other” (284).

The man, Stanley Jones, is the news anchor. He brings the boys to his office and asks for an explanation. Kareem tells him that the Muslim ban prevented his mother from getting home and that now she is missing. Intrigued, Jones tells him to start over as he takes notes.

After listening to the whole story, Jones lets the boys off with a warning and promises to do research so that the story will be good. He plans to contact Kareem’s father, but he also advises the boys to contact their local politicians with the story. Even though his plan to get on television that day did not succeed, Kareem vows not to give up hope.

NFL Fact #24 explains the leaping move a ball carrier makes when they are close to the line of scrimmage. Kareem tells his father everything and then uses Baba’s computer to send emails to state representatives. He and his father work together, just like a quarterback and his teammates.

In geography class, Kareem looks at a world map and sees how far away his mother is. If he folds the map just right, they are not separated, but he knows that it will be much harder to bring her home in reality.

At dinner, Mama calls, and Baba puts her on speakerphone. She explains that she and Tete fled to Lebanon because of the Shabeeha. Everyone cries in relief, and Kareem and Jameelah hold hands.

NFL Fact #25 explains the offensive schemes teams use to score quickly at the end of a game. On Thursday, Baba picks the children up early and tells them that the ban has been lifted; he has booked Mama’s flight home.

On Friday, the family volunteers as usual, but Fadi and Jerry join them. Kareem knows that a good quarterback needs his team to get the ball back.

Stanley Jones calls and asks if Kareem could go on television to share his story. Even though he now knows Mama is safe, Kareem is elated at the opportunity. Baba is proud, and Jameelah is impressed.

At the airport, Kareem worries that something will go wrong, but Mama and Tete emerge from the sliding door, and he races into his mother’s arms.

Seeing Tete for the first time feels like being in Syria.

On Monday, Mama makes a fῡl breakfast, and the children are relieved that Baba is no longer cooking. Kareem wants to learn to cook.

At the news station, Stanley has prepared a special report on the Muslim ban, exposing it as a prejudiced and hateful law. Then, he introduces Kareem, who shares what happened with Mama and Jido. He also explains how their family friend cannot be with her fiancé unless she moves to Canada. He finishes by describing the people who are trying to come to America as regular people, family members, and refugees who need help.

Kareem plays in the spring scrimmage while Austin sulks. As quarterback, Kareem takes the snap, steps back, and launches a ball to his wide receiver, who catches it and dodges tackles to score. Everyone celebrates.

Kareem compares playing a football game to the Chicago Bears’ song and dance called “The Super Bowl Shuffle” (314), which emphasizes team camaraderie.

In the final play of the scrimmage, Kareem takes the snap and runs the ball for a touchdown.

Kareem’s family, Jerry, and Fadi cheer him on, which means more to him than any win.

In a poem shaped like goal posts, Kareem describes how a book’s happy ending is like the joy he feels when a football soars through the air.

Kareem thinks of the song Bears’ fans sing when the team scores. It is a sign of togetherness.

Kareem has always wanted the title of “All-American footballer” because it signifies the best in the game, but now he covets it because it means he can be both Syrian and American.

Surprisingly, Austin congratulates Kareem after the game. Now, Kareem understands that he does not need to rely on anyone else to feel seen and that being both Syrian and American is something to celebrate.

Conjunctions join words, such as the “and” that joins Syrian with American in Kareem’s identity. He finally understands Jido’s advice.

NFL Fact #26 defines “MVP” as the Most Valuable Player. On a good team, all players are valuable, and working together is the best part.