Topics and Themes
Famous Quotations
Character Names
Junior and Rowdy
Parents and Sister
100

The Danger of alcohol is a topic of this book.  What is the theme related to this?

Alcohol can be destructive and ruin lives.

100
“A bullet only costs two cents, and anybody can afford that.” What is this quote a reference to?
What is Junior's Dad shooting Oscar.
100
The name of Junior’s “best friend” who died at the beginning of the book.
What is Oscar.
100
Junior considers Rowdy to be his what?
What is best friend.
100
True or false: Junior's mom would have been a community college teacher if someone would have paid attention to her dreams.
What is True.
200

Hope is a topic of this book.  What is a possible theme related to this word?

All people need to have hope to live a better life.

Without hope, we will never succeed or thrive.

Even in the worst of circumstances, a bit of hope can make a positive difference.

200
“THIS BOOK BELONGS TO AGNES ADAMS.” How does Junior respond after finding this written in his book?
What is throw the textbook at his teacher's face.
200
Junior has a crush on this girl at his new school in Reardan.
What is Penelope.
200
Junior and Rowdy both like reading what together:
What is comic books.
200
True or False: Junior's dad played the trumpet.
What is False. He played the Saxaphone.
300

Perseverance is a topic of this book.  What is a possible theme related to this word?

People who struggle and overcome difficulties will be stronger and more successful.

Even in tough times, we have to keep fighting to overcome.

300
“We weren’t trying to kill Indian people. We were trying to kill Indian culture.” What does Mr. P mean by this?
What is Mr. P did mean things to Native American students when he was a younger teacher.
300
The brothers who beat up Junior after the powwow:
What is Andruss Brothers.
300
When Junior tells Rowdy he’s leaving the Rez school, in what way does he react?
What is beats him up.
300
The kind of novels Junior’s sister writes:
What is Romance.
400

Belonging is a topic of this book.  What is a possible theme related to this word?

Everyone needs to feel they belong to a "tribe" or a family to feel secure and happy.

400
“That’s about the worst thing you can do to an Indian guy. It had taken them years to grow their hair. And Rowdy cut that away in five seconds.” Whose hair did Rowdy cut, and why?
What is the Andruss Brothers.
400
Junior’s sister’s name:
What is Mary.
400
Rowdy doesn’t keep friends for this reason:
What is he is a bully to mostly everyone except Junior.
400
When Junior’s Dad drops him off at Reardan High School, his breath smells like:
What is mouthwash and lime vodka.
500

Identity is a topic of this book.  What is a possible theme related to this book.

Feeling comfortable with your identity and knowing yourself is essential to happiness.

500
“I felt like somebody had shoved me into a rocket ship and blasted me to a new planet. I was a freaky alien and there was absolutely no way to get home.” What is Junior referencing?
What is Junior after his first day at Reardan.
500
Junior punches this person after being called a racist slur.
What is Roger.
500
Describe Rowdy’s home life:
What is bad--he has a father who's an alcoholic and abusive.
500
The reason Junior is scared of being like his sister (and his mother, and his father):
What is they all had big dreams, but never followed through.