Characters
This is the narrator and main protagonist who transfers from the reservation school to Reardan.
Junior
Junior discovers this object in his geometry class that once belonged to his mother, symbolizing the lack of resources on the reservation.
old textbook
Junior uses this artistic skill throughout the book as a way to cope with his difficult life and express his feelings.
drawing or cartooning
This is Junior's relationship to Mary, who is described as beautiful but has given up on her dreams.
sister
This is the name of the all-white school in a nearby town where Junior decides to transfer for a better education.
Reardan
This teacher encourages Junior to leave the reservation school, telling him that staying would kill his dreams and potential.
Mr. P
Junior must use this dangerous and unreliable method to get to and from Reardan because his family cannot afford consistent transportation.
hitchhiking
This medical condition caused Junior to be born with excess fluid in his brain, leading to his physical differences and bullying.
What is hydrocephalus (or water on the brain)?
The people on the Spokane reservation view Junior's decision to attend Reardan as this kind of act against his community.
traitor
Junior lives on this Native American reservation in Washington state.
Spokane Reservation
Junior's best friend who feels deeply betrayed when Junior decides to attend Reardan High School.
Rowdy
When Junior throws a book in frustration, it accidentally hits Mr. P in this part of his body, leading to a suspension and an important conversation.
his face or nose
This major theme is represented by Junior feeling like he belongs neither fully to the reservation nor to Reardan, living between two worlds.
cultural identity
Despite their poverty and struggles, Junior's parents show their love by supporting his decision to do this.
transfer to rearden
This is approximately how far Junior must travel from the reservation to attend Reardan High School.
22 miles
This popular blonde girl at Reardan becomes Junior's crush and represents his aspirations to fit into the white world.
Penelope
Junior tries out for this sport at Reardan High School, where he eventually faces his former school and best friend in competition.
basketball
This social issue affects Junior's family deeply, contributing to their poverty and causing numerous problems in the community.
alcoholism
Rowdy expresses his anger at Junior's departure through this violent action during their confrontation.
punching him
Junior is one of this many Native American students attending Reardan High School when he first enrolls.
the only one
This large white student at Reardan initially seems threatening but eventually gains respect for Junior after their confrontation, becoming an unlikely ally.
Roger
When Junior first arrives at Reardan, he punches Roger after Roger tells an offensive joke, which surprises Roger because of this cultural difference in fighting rules.
Junior didn't follow up or continue fighting (or walked away after one punch)?
Mr. P tells Junior that this emotion or state of being is what will happen to him if he stays on the reservation and doesn't pursue his dreams.
having hope killed
Junior bonds with Penelope over this shared secret struggle, though their experiences with it are very different due to their economic backgrounds.
eating disorder
The extreme poverty on the reservation is illustrated by Junior's family sometimes not having enough of this basic necessity.
food or money for food