By Sherman Alexie
Art by Ellen Forney
Arnold Spirit lives on a reservation but decides to transfer to the white school in town because a teacher tells him he has a future but only if he gets out of the reservation, forever. Though Arnold, also known as Junior, is confused, he looks around at the people on the rez and decides he needs to leave. The novel is Junior telling the story of how it all happened.
One of the most outstanding qualities of the book is the voice of Arnold. He is honest, confused, adolescent, and funny. He is honest and open about all the beautiful and ugly things about his family and the reservation. The story is peppered with drawings that Arnold is supposed to have drawn and they add to Arnold’s character development and, sometimes, to the books humor. His raw commentary about the tragedies that surround him makes the reader sympathize with his plight without feeling sorry for him. When he recounts events in their ironic truth, it helps the reader understand how Arnold is making decisions and choices that will impact the rest of his life. I really enjoyed this book and I think adolescents will appreciate its wit and honesty.
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