Characters
The majn character in the book.
Who is Junior?
This tragic event at the beginning of the book deeply affects Junior.
What is Oscar’s death?
Junior struggles with the divide between these two worlds.
What are the reservation and the white school (Reardan)?
Junior jokes that he would be the number one draft pick if this were a professional sport.
What is masturbation?
This is the name of the reservation where Junior and his family live.
What is the Spokane Indian Reservation?
This character is Junior’s best friend and the “toughest” kid on the rez.
Who is Rowdy ?
Rowdy gets revenge on the Andruss brothers by doing this to them while they sleep.
What is shaving off their eyebrows and cutting their braids?
Junior’s decision to transfer schools symbolizes this central theme.
What is hope?
Junior admits to being a “book kisser” because of this reason.
What is his love for learning?
The students at Wellpinit High School have to use outdated textbooks for this reason.
What is the extreme poverty of the reservation?
The man who killed Oscar.
Who is Junior’s Father?
Junior is excited about high school because he loves this subject.
What is Geometry?
Poverty on the reservation is highlighted when Junior’s parents cannot afford this for Oscar.
What is Veterinary Care/Animal Care ?
Junior describes his head as being too big for his body, which makes him feel like this toy.
What is a bobble head?
Poverty affects Junior’s ability to pursue his dreams in this way.
What is lacking basic resources, like money for school supplies and transportation?
Junior’s sister, who isolates herself in the basement, is given this nickname.
Who is Mary Runs Away?
Junior is shocked to realize his school is so poor that his geometry book belonged to this person.
Who is his mother?
Junior’s experiences show that even when facing hardships, this is necessary to survive.
What is Resilience?
Despite his tough exterior, Rowdy enjoys reading these types of books.
What are comic books?
Junior describes the isolation of his reservation by saying it is located here.
What is “one million miles north of Important and two billion miles west of Happy”?
This teacher often forgets to show up to class and sometimes teaches in his pajamas.
Who is Mr. P?
After Junior throws his geometry book in frustration, this unexpected event happens.
What is Mr. P forgiving him and encouraging him to leave the rez?
Mr. P tells Junior that most Spokane Indians have lost this, but Junior still has it.
What is ambition/hope for a better future)?
Junior uses humor as a coping mechanism, often making jokes about this serious topic.
What is poverty (or his struggles as a Native American)?
This is how Junior’s perspective on life on the reservation differs from Rowdy’s.
What is Junior wanting to leave for better opportunities while Rowdy sees the reservation as his permanent home?