Scan barcode
heathercottledillon's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book - the story, the characters, the fun drawings, and how it made me laugh but also made me think. Junior is really an inspiration. Despite all of the hardship in his life, he very rarely complains; instead, he accepts the fact that he has some major obstacles in his way and makes the most of what he's got to overcome them. Throughout the book, he learns to balance two worlds, taking advantage of the opportunity to "move up" in the white world without forgetting his heritage. My heart broke for Junior as experienced one loved one's death after another, but I like that the author didn't sugarcoat reality or make the story too fairy-tale-like. I recommend this book for everyone...or at lest everyone who doesn't mind some crass 14-year-old boy thoughts (being realistic here, people).
shangrila's review against another edition
3.0
-1 star because my library charged me $25 for this book when they forgot to scan it back in
blank_blank's review against another edition
2.75
good idea, important subject matter, possibly the worst execution possible for a writer
characters are litterally so one dimensional even if u root for them they are just so unreal idk
characters are litterally so one dimensional even if u root for them they are just so unreal idk
abigail_lo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
what a sad little book — my heart breaks for little sherman alexie <3 inevitably pulled at my heartstrings as i remembered just how devastating it is to experience real, life-changing grief as a child. there’s just nothing quite like having your world change forever when you’re only 14.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Car accident, Cursing, Death, Excrement, Racism, Vomit, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Eating disorder, Grief, Medical content, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Cultural appropriation
Minor: Ableism and Drug use
ohwowanotherone's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
sunniedey's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely love love this book! It made me laugh and cry.
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
3.0
A pivotal stepping stone in our modern conception of the reality of life for Native Americans. Colonialism and neo-colonialism have systematically dismantled much of their community and left them with little recourse or social structures to combat the destruction. I learned a lot about the practical reality of living on a reservation from reading this book. It will not cover the entirety of every Native Americans' experiences, but I believe it is a good introduction for anyone who is interested and not yet equipped for a nonfiction deep dive or looking to ease their way in.
The fact that this is semi-autobiographical does give it more weight though since Sherman Alexie is not merely constructing a story out of his life, he is communicating exactly what his life was like with a few tweaks.
That said, it became increasingly rote as time wore on. Not much happens and it seemed to rely a lot on shocking emotional turns to keep you invested rather than investing further in the characters. I know that these events occurred in his life, but since this is not a straightforward autobiography/memoir there are standards I hold a narrative to I felt the story was not meeting.
A lot of the humor and musings were dated. Junior drops the r-word a few times as he describes what people call or think of him. His girlfriend is bulimic and he sort of just doesn't care? It's not a big deal at all. Nobody ever finds out. She presumably does it in the background. He has no interest in her mental state only in how hot she is. While this is not an uncommon teenage mindset, it was not one I enjoyed reading nor did it make him likeable. Some of the intended demographic might find it relatable, however, I know for a fact I would have been disgusted even then. Lots of juvenile sexual jokes I found crude and almost vulgar.
On the one hand you can argue Alexie was being true to his point of view as a teenager and capturing a very realistic moment in time for all teenagers where they are not exactly the most politically correct or empathetic. On the other hand, the inclusion of said material to the extent that it was and the revelation that Sherman Alexie has multiple sexual misconduct allegations against him makes me think it might just be a reflection of who Sherman Alexie is as a person leaking out without any introspection.
I see why it's a classic objectively. On a personal level, I'm not afraid to say I don't care for it.
The fact that this is semi-autobiographical does give it more weight though since Sherman Alexie is not merely constructing a story out of his life, he is communicating exactly what his life was like with a few tweaks.
That said, it became increasingly rote as time wore on. Not much happens and it seemed to rely a lot on shocking emotional turns to keep you invested rather than investing further in the characters. I know that these events occurred in his life, but since this is not a straightforward autobiography/memoir there are standards I hold a narrative to I felt the story was not meeting.
A lot of the humor and musings were dated. Junior drops the r-word a few times as he describes what people call or think of him. His girlfriend is bulimic and he sort of just doesn't care? It's not a big deal at all. Nobody ever finds out. She presumably does it in the background. He has no interest in her mental state only in how hot she is. While this is not an uncommon teenage mindset, it was not one I enjoyed reading nor did it make him likeable. Some of the intended demographic might find it relatable, however, I know for a fact I would have been disgusted even then. Lots of juvenile sexual jokes I found crude and almost vulgar.
On the one hand you can argue Alexie was being true to his point of view as a teenager and capturing a very realistic moment in time for all teenagers where they are not exactly the most politically correct or empathetic. On the other hand, the inclusion of said material to the extent that it was and the revelation that Sherman Alexie has multiple sexual misconduct allegations against him makes me think it might just be a reflection of who Sherman Alexie is as a person leaking out without any introspection.
I see why it's a classic objectively. On a personal level, I'm not afraid to say I don't care for it.
schofield24's review against another edition
2.0
Okay, so I like to think that I have a bit of a "window" on Native American life, having grown up with (adopted) Sioux cousins. There was a lot to like about this story, and the voice seems authentic, but that being said I did not care to read about the teenage narrator's porn habit and can't really recommend the book for that reason. It does make me want to read more about modern Native American life, however. I do feel we need to hear their experiences and learn from them.