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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Do not be fooled by reviews telling you this is a hilarious book. Parts of it are. But it's also really, really sad! But it is still a great book with an authentic Native American protagonist, which is, unfortunately, rare.
I heard great things about this book from those who had already read it. From the very title and cover, I knew this book was going to be written in a style that was witty and entertaining.
That prediction turned out to be more right than I thought. The play of tragedy and comedy in the resilient nature of the main character was just stunning. I couldn't put the book down because the narrator was just so real to me. I could imagine him as a fully realized person in my head. His joys and pains were my joys and pains. I could pick this book at any time in the future, flip to a random page, and feel as if I'd come right back into the middle of a familiar conversation. Everything was readily imprinted on my mind, especially his ability to make me laugh in the middle of a sad chapter (such as the one about Eugene's death).
The building of the characterization and setting are very strong here. I have no experience in this character's world, but I feel like an expert from the emotionally laden insights Junior provides. The text is very valuable in that it rings as true, or very close to the true experiences of actual people.
In fact, the only thing I have reservations about is being allowed to teach such a wonderful book. Like Looking for Alaska, I can imagine some objections to it, probably around Junior's mention of some... activities he likes to engage in... but those are some of the little things that I think will connect students to this book. Oh, yes, even some students will balk at even that, but if that's the case, I'll only discuss it with them if it comes up. Before I went to KSU, I wouldn't have dreamed of teaching this book, but I know now that I can. I can look deeper and pull some significance of this book, such as the unflinching, honest teen voice of Junior, to justify teaching this. I could create a unit about adversity, maybe. Adversity doesn't even begin to describe it, but it's a start.
5Q, 5P
That prediction turned out to be more right than I thought. The play of tragedy and comedy in the resilient nature of the main character was just stunning. I couldn't put the book down because the narrator was just so real to me. I could imagine him as a fully realized person in my head. His joys and pains were my joys and pains. I could pick this book at any time in the future, flip to a random page, and feel as if I'd come right back into the middle of a familiar conversation. Everything was readily imprinted on my mind, especially his ability to make me laugh in the middle of a sad chapter (such as the one about Eugene's death).
The building of the characterization and setting are very strong here. I have no experience in this character's world, but I feel like an expert from the emotionally laden insights Junior provides. The text is very valuable in that it rings as true, or very close to the true experiences of actual people.
In fact, the only thing I have reservations about is being allowed to teach such a wonderful book. Like Looking for Alaska, I can imagine some objections to it, probably around Junior's mention of some... activities he likes to engage in... but those are some of the little things that I think will connect students to this book. Oh, yes, even some students will balk at even that, but if that's the case, I'll only discuss it with them if it comes up. Before I went to KSU, I wouldn't have dreamed of teaching this book, but I know now that I can. I can look deeper and pull some significance of this book, such as the unflinching, honest teen voice of Junior, to justify teaching this. I could create a unit about adversity, maybe. Adversity doesn't even begin to describe it, but it's a start.
5Q, 5P
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Colonisation
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse
Minor: Eating disorder, Car accident, Classism
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Violence