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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-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:
Yes
Wow, great book! Sherman Alexie captures the teenage male experience perfectly. His writing is real...yes, the main character is someone you want to root for, but he's very genuine. This book shows the importance of having high expectations for all people, regardless of background, race, history, etc. I look forward to sharing it with many of the young people with whom I work as they will find it approachable and honest - and they will be exposed to a much deeper meaning.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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:
No
8/15 review - still funny and still poignant and heart breaking, especially reading it from a parental perspective. I'm on a banned books kick, and I am still shocked that this is one of the most banned books in schools.
So funny, and yet so sad. Definitely a good glimpse into the character's world, and a book that I would highly recommend.
So funny, and yet so sad. Definitely a good glimpse into the character's world, and a book that I would highly recommend.
An amazing book. A National Book Award winner and rightly so. Why is this book banned/challenged?
Is the white man offended by the honest language about life and experiences of an Native American navigating life while growing up on a reservation? Probably.
This book contained beautiful insight, lots of trauma, sexual thoughts that most boys have, and LOTS OF HOPE.
Highly recommended!
Is the white man offended by the honest language about life and experiences of an Native American navigating life while growing up on a reservation? Probably.
This book contained beautiful insight, lots of trauma, sexual thoughts that most boys have, and LOTS OF HOPE.
Highly recommended!
An edgy YA novel about a boy who decides to leave the reservation school and attend the public high school in town. Those on the reservation now see him as an outsider, and the students at his new school see him as an outsider, and so he doesn't feel like he belongs anywhere. The novel culminates in the basketball game against his former school and best friend, Rowdy.
"'You can do it,' Coach said.
'I can do it.'
'You can do it.'
'I can do it.'
Do you understand how amazing it is to hear that from an adult? Do you know how amazing it is to hear that from anybody? It's one of the simplest sentences in the world, just four words, but they're the four hugest words in the world when they're put together." (189)
"'You can do it,' Coach said.
'I can do it.'
'You can do it.'
'I can do it.'
Do you understand how amazing it is to hear that from an adult? Do you know how amazing it is to hear that from anybody? It's one of the simplest sentences in the world, just four words, but they're the four hugest words in the world when they're put together." (189)
My favorite YA of the year outside of "The Hate U Give" (which if you haven't read that, stop reading this and go read that and then this!). Outstanding and remarkable are the two words coming to mind an hour or so after I finished this one. My heart broke with Junior's and rose again with him at the end. I loved this book, especially how gritty and grief-stricken it was and I am once again reminded at just how amazing Sherman Alexie's writing is, he is a true gift and talent to a reader!
This book came into my life in a most random way. I've been trying to break out of my comfort reading zone and attempting to read books with different topics, genres and characters. I wanted to read a book about a character that came from a differing culture. I saw someone had suggested this on a random Goodreads post.
What did I know about Native Americans before? My knowledge consisted of Pocahontas, that awful Colin Farrell movie and middle school trips to the Mohegan museum. So basically nothing. I may not be an Native American expert after reading this novel, but I know how tough it is to grow up Native American. And how little those trips to the Mohegan museum taught me nothing about modern Native Americans.
I absolutely loved this book. I listened to the audiobook version narrated by the author, [a:Sherman Alexie|4174|Sherman Alexie|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1333515890p2/4174.jpg]. The narration mixed with the beautiful writing just made this novel really personal to me. I really felt as though Arnold was reading his diary and I was an outsider listening in.
Arnold "Junior" Spirit would normally be a character or person I would feel pity for. Born with too much fluid in his brain, Junior suffers from seizures, poor eyesight, stuttering and lisping. He is constantly bullied for his appearance and disabilities, and depends on his friend Rowdy to beat those who bully him. Junior's life takes a sharp turn when he decides to attend Reardan High School, where he is the only Native American.
From there, Junior basically grabs life by the balls and changes his fate completely. It's inspirational, heartwarming and fun to read. Sure, the books topics can get somewhat morbid or sexual and uses some racial and homophobic slurs, but it just adds to the depth and flaws of these characters making them seem more realistic and relatable.
I absolutely loved this story of a strange stuttering and lisping kid who overcomes adversity and grows into himself. Honestly, this book is a great read to all and should be read by all. Do it.
What did I know about Native Americans before? My knowledge consisted of Pocahontas, that awful Colin Farrell movie and middle school trips to the Mohegan museum. So basically nothing. I may not be an Native American expert after reading this novel, but I know how tough it is to grow up Native American. And how little those trips to the Mohegan museum taught me nothing about modern Native Americans.
I absolutely loved this book. I listened to the audiobook version narrated by the author, [a:Sherman Alexie|4174|Sherman Alexie|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1333515890p2/4174.jpg]. The narration mixed with the beautiful writing just made this novel really personal to me. I really felt as though Arnold was reading his diary and I was an outsider listening in.
Arnold "Junior" Spirit would normally be a character or person I would feel pity for. Born with too much fluid in his brain, Junior suffers from seizures, poor eyesight, stuttering and lisping. He is constantly bullied for his appearance and disabilities, and depends on his friend Rowdy to beat those who bully him. Junior's life takes a sharp turn when he decides to attend Reardan High School, where he is the only Native American.
From there, Junior basically grabs life by the balls and changes his fate completely. It's inspirational, heartwarming and fun to read. Sure, the books topics can get somewhat morbid or sexual and uses some racial and homophobic slurs, but it just adds to the depth and flaws of these characters making them seem more realistic and relatable.
I absolutely loved this story of a strange stuttering and lisping kid who overcomes adversity and grows into himself. Honestly, this book is a great read to all and should be read by all. Do it.