Characters
Who is Oscar?
What country do they live in?
The United States of America
What problems does Junior have?
Junior has health problems (poor eyesight, water in the brain, seizures). Junior is hungry and his family is poor. Junior is bullied on the reservation. Junior's parents drink too much alcohol and his sister hides in the basement.
poor, poverty
Junior hits his teacher with a book.
True. He is mad because the book is very old and the school is very poor.
What are two words to describe Junior's personality?
funny/joking, smart, inappropriate, creative/artistic, kind
Washington State
What happened to Oscar?
Junior's dog, Oscar, is very sick, so Junior's dad kills him because they cannot afford to go to the vet (doctor).
math class, shapes and angles
geometry
Rowdy and Junior like to draw cartoons together.
Rowdy and Junior like to draw and play basketball, so they are best friends.
What was dad's dream?
Dad wants to be a musician.
Where do Junior and his family live?
The Spokane Indian Reservation, in a trailer
What does Junior find in his geometry book? Why is this important?
Junior finds his mom's name. This tells us that the school is very old and poor because they have very old textbooks.
Native American Indian land
reservation "the Rez"
Junior's sister (Mary) is happy, has many friends, and goes to college.
False - she stays alone in the basement. She does not follow her dreams.
Why does Mr. P wear pajamas and come to school late?
Mr. P gave up hope.
What is the name of Junior's new school? What is the name of his old high school?
New school = Reardan High School, Old school = Wellpinit High School
What advice does Mr. P give to Junior? Why?
Mr. P tells Junior to leave the reservation forever so that he can follow his dreams and have more opportunities. He does not want Junior to give up hope.
to never give up
hope
Mom and dad do not want Junior to go to a new school.
False - mom and dad support Junior and say it is okay to go to Reardan.
Describe Rowdy and Jr.'s relationship.
Rowdy and Jr. are best friends. Rowdy is tough and protects Jr. For example, when Jr. is beat up at the powwow, Rowdy cuts the boys hair and shaves their eyebrows. But, when Jr. tells Rowdy he is leaving the reservation, Rowdy feels betrayed and is angry. Rowdy punches his best friend in the face and they become enemies.
How is Junior's new high school different from his old school?
Reardan High School is rich and white. The Spokane Indian High School is poor with old books.
What happens at the powwow?
The boys make fun of Junior, so Rowdy shaves their eye brows and cuts their hair to protect him.
A Native American Indian celebration with dance, costumes, and food to help remember the culture and traditions
powwow
Rowdy is happy for his friend to leave the reservation and go to a new school called Reardan High School.
Rowdy feels like Junior betrays the Spokane Indian people.