"First published in hardcover in 2007 by Little, Brown and Company"--Title page verso Includes author discussion guide and interview with illustrator Ellen Forney, pages [233-245].
Contents:
The black eye of the month club -- Why chicken means so much to me -- Revenge is my middle name -- Because geometry is not a country somewhere near France -- Hope against hope -- Go means go -- Rowdy sings the blues -- How to fight monsters -- Grandmother gives me some advice -- Tears of a clown -- Halloween -- Slouching toward Thanksgiving -- My sister sends me an E-mail -- Thanksgiving -- Hunger pains -- Rowdy gives me advice about love -- Dance, dance, dance -- Don't trust your computer -- My sister sends me a letter -- Reindeer games -- And a partridge in a pear tree -- Red versus white -- Wake -- Valentine heart -- In like a lion -- Rowdy and I have a long and serious discussion about basketball -- Because Russian guys are not always geniuses -- My final freshman year report card -- Remembering -- Talking about turtles -- Discussion guide -- Interview with Ellen Forney.
Summary:
"Junior is a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian reservation. Born with a variety of medical problems, he is picked on by everyone but his best friend. Determined to receive a good education, Junior leaves the rez to attend an all-white school in the neighboring farm town where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Despite being condemned as a traitor to his people and enduring great tragedies, Junior attacks life with wit and humor and discovers a strength inside of himself that he never knew existed. Inspired by his own experiences growing up, award-winning author Sherman Alexie chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one unlucky boy trying to rise above the life everyone expects him to live"--page 4 of cover.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.