This is a story about Junior, a teen growing up on the
Spokane Indian Reservation. He decides to attend an all-white school in a
neighboring town, apparently something that almost never happens. It is a story
of someone actively choosing to make their life better against the odds.
The language was simple (grade 4 reading level)
and in some ways this book would be appropriate for younger audiences, but the
sexual references and profanity scattered throughout make it only appropriate
for high school libraries. The story also includes themes of death and
alcoholism, which may be hard for younger audiences to handle.
Good points. I use this novel with grade nines and many say that it's the first book that they've actually read and finished. Perhaps it's the humour or the frank way Alexie speaks about his life, but it seems to resonate with this age group. Fun read!
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