If You're Reading This by Trent Reedy
Where does Mike work?
Derek Harris's farm?
What song does Mike's mom play every year on the anniversary of his father's death?
From a Distance by Bette Midler
What mission does mike's father give to him in the first letter?
Go for it! to do something he wanted to do and give it his best
What is Coach Carter's Big Three motto?
Hard Work, Integrity, and Team
What country are Isma's parents from?
Iran
What motto is on the ring Mike's dad sends him?
Let Us Try
Where does the football team eat supper the night before a game?
Mr. Piggly's
Why does Mike get to play in the first football game?
Rhodes lets the quarterback get sacked and then gets a penalty do Coach benches him
What does Michael's dad send him for his birthday?
a hard drive with video letters
What does Mike's mom get him for his sixteenth birthday?
a leather wallet to put his driver's license in
What does Mike do to get Isma to go to the homecoming dance with him after their fight?
dresses up like Captain America and asks her in the lunchroom in front of everyone
Why does Mike call his bike Scrappy?
he built it using parts from junked bikes
How does Mike deliver his letter to his father thanking him for all he's done for Mike?
he burns it and lets the ashes blow away toward the sky
Why does Derek blame himself for Mike's father's death?
he got the truck stuck and they got pinned down by the enemy
Why was Derek's nickname in the squad MacDonald?
he talked about farming all the time
Why does Mike stop playing football?
he tells his mom he's been playing and she tells him he has to quit
Why does Tony Sullivan want Mike to do well on the football team?
he thinks Mike can help the team and he needs the team to be good to get a scholarship
Why did Mike's father write him letters in case he didn't make it back from the war?
he wanted to give Mike fatherly guidance
Why did Mike's father sign up for the National Guard?
he was broke and they promised money for college
Hod did Mike's father die?
he was killed in Afghanistan in 2005
What did Mike's dad sew into the pocket of the bag he has sent to Mike?
his Army ring
Why didn't Mike's father come home from Afghanistan when he had planned to?
his tour was involuntarily extended
Why does Mike's mother forbid him to see Isma?
she blames Muslims for the death of her husband
Why won't Mike's mother let him play football?
she is afraid he will get hurt
Why doesn't Isma want Mike to fight Rhodes over his attitude towards her?
she thinks it will confirm everything he thinks about Muslims and violence
What does Isma like to read?
superhero comics
What is Coach Carter's nickname?
the Volcano
What is different about Thursday football practices?
they don't go full contact because they are resting up for the game on Friday
What did Mike's father mean when he tells Mike to live the Cowboy Way?
to follow his heart and have the courage to do the right thing
Why does Mike sneak out of the house through a window?
to go to a party at the Nature Spot
What is Ethan's quest?
to regain the affection of Raely Latham
Why does Mike invite Isma over to his house the first time?
to work on their Civil War Project
How much does Derek sell the Falcon truck to Mike for?
$800
How long had Mike's father been dead before he receives the first letter from him?
7 years
What is Isma's favorite comic book superhero?
Captain America
