Characters
Triplets who are thirty-years old and beat up Arnold.
Andruss Brothers
Moves to Montana after marrying a man she met in a casino. Likes to write romance novels. Dies in a fire after she and her husband got drunk at a party in their home.
Mary, Junior's sister
What different events/elements cause Junior to choose to leave Wellpinit and go to Reardan?
Junior's teacher, Mr. P, his geography textbook, poor conditions on the reservation, intrinsic motivation, goals, etc.
"You've been fighting since you were born...You fought off that brain surgery. You fought of those seizures. You fought off all the drunks and drug addicts. You kept your hope. And now, you have to take your hope and go somewhere where other people have hope" (43).
Mr. P
Juniors tribe refers to him with a certain nickname that means he is red on the outside and white on the inside.
An apple.
The white teacher who Arnold throws the geometry book at by accident. He convinces Arnold that he is a fighter and must leave the reservation.
Mr. P
This character wanted to be a jazz musician, but not one believed in him and he became an alcoholic. He gives Junior five dollars for Christmas.
Arnold Sr., Juniors father
What happens at the first game between Reardan and Wellpinit?
Junior's tribe members turn their backs to him when he enters the gym. He throws up before the game. Someone hits him with a quarter and he has to get stitches from Eugene. Rowdy elbows him and he gets a concussion. Wellpinit wins.
“If you're good at it, and you love it, and it helps you navigate the river of the world, then it can't be wrong” (95)
Gordy
He is shot by Arnold's father.
Oscar, the dog.
She wants to see the world and all of its wonders. She longs to study architecture and to create something beautiful and memorable. Arnold relates to this in a big way, as he loves to draw and also wants to leave home (the reservation).
Penelope
Her name is in the Geometry book that Arnold throws at the teacher.
Agnes, Junior's mom
How does Roger find out that Junior is poor?
He has no money to pay for his food when they go out to eat after the formal.
“If you care about something enough, it’s going to make you cry. But you have to use it. Use your tears. Use your pain. Use your fear. Get mad. Arnold, get mad” (144).
Coach
What is Junior's costume for Halloween? How is it not really a costume?
A homeless person. Junior is poor.
He leaves the reservation to go to the nearby white school, Reardan. Many members of his tribe resent him and see him as a traitor. His family supports his decision.
Junior (Arnold)
Reardan High School's star basketball player who Arnold punches in the face. He comes to respect Arnold and loans him money during the Winter Formal. The two play on the basketball team together.
Roger
Arnold believes that this group of people have the most hope.
Whites
“You're so brave. You're a warrior.” (55)
Jr.'s dad
What does Rowdy tell Jr. to do when Jr. tells him that he's in love with Penelope and asks for advice?
"I'm sick of Indian guys who treat white women like bowling trophies. Get a life" (115).
Junior's best friend. He feels betrayed by Junior when he leaves the reservation school. He is one of the only people who always protected Junior.
Rowdy
She moves to Montana with a Native American from another tribe.
Mary Spirit, Arnold's sister
What does Junior decide to do when he is missing Rowdy during Thanksgiving?
Jr. draws a cartoon of how he and his best friend used to be. He gives it to Rowdy's father and as he walks away he sees Rowdy flipping him off in the window. Rowdy did not tear up the cartoon which shows Jr. that Rowdy really does still care.
"Yes way! You see, you men and boys are like packs of wild dogs. This giant boy is the alpha male of the school, and you're the new dog, so he pushed you around a bit to see how tough you are" (68).
How does Jr. feel when his sister moves to Montana?
Inspired. "But I just kept thinking that my sister's spirit hadn't been killed. She hadn't given up. This reservation had tried to suffocate her, had kept her trapped in a basement, and now she was out roaming the huge grassy fields of Montana. How cool! I felt inspired" (91).