Sherman Alexie Response

I have never heard of this book until I came to Spokane and started college here.  After learning that the writer is a local, I understand why it is so popular.  I thought the book was good and did a good job of seeing adolescence from a real students point of view.  I think that every student goes through event similar to JRs, but maybe not the same.  Every child has their own experience growing up, and this book hits all topics that could affect students who don't feel that they belong.in their setting.  JR represents a character who really does not belong to any certain group.  He does not feel like he is apart of his tribe and does not feel like he is really apart of his new high school.  I think that this is the most important aspect to teach because by the end of the book, he realizes that he isn't apart of one thing or another, he creates his own belonging.  Many students today feel like they don't belong because they don't know where to belong.  Once they grow up and are able to decide where they fit decides who they are.  JRs realization that his experiences make him something that isn't part of any tribe define him as a person and in defining himself, it gives him purpose to his future.  I imagine that many students go through their early life trying to fit in with other groups rather than looking at themselves to be comfortable with themselves.I think about jocks and nerds.  They are usually two pretty distinct groups.  But what if there was a nerd who was a jock?  Maybe they don't think they fit into any category.  Instead of accepting who they are, they try to fit in with other groups.  JRs journey  to realize this shows him growing into adulthood, something that is happening to students who might be reading this novel in class.

I think that finding books to relate to students is crucial in getting them interested in reading.  This book would be great because it not only describes how many students feel, it is a local writer, so the context will be much more familiar to them.  Reservations and native life don't mean much to places where they don't exist and they are a huge part of the Spokane culture with all of the reservations around.  Classrooms here are bound to have students who are from or live on reservations and know about the life.