Reading in the Middle, Junior and Senior High Schools, Spring, 2010

I really love the book. I think that it is good and a lot could be learned from this book. The first thing that really hit me in the book was the part when the dad shot the dog. It completely broke my heart and I had to read another chapter so that I wasn't stuck with that in my mind. It is difficult to think about people who don't have enough money to take care of the people or things that they love. Any story like that breaks my heart. I can't imagine what Junior was feeling. Why are all of the people on the reservation poor? Are there not jobs on the reservation or just no well paying ones? I am also very surprised by how much predjuice there is in this book. Why do you have to be white to be sucessful? I don't understand why the color of someone's skin would determine his or her ability to be sucessful. I guess it might have something to do with the poverty that exists on the reservation. They were using the same text books from at least 30 years ago.

I really enjoyed this book. I believe that teens can really learn a lot from Junior’s as he finds way to success even when the cards are stacked against him. I also initial wondered why someone’s race and heritage would affect their long term success, but as I read on more things became clear. I found it interesting that the same teacher that junior hit with his 30 year old excuse for a text book approached junior a few days after being hit, begging Junior to leave the reservation to seek a better education. At this point it became clear to me that the reason many of the Indians on the reservation fail to be successful is because they lack appropriate resources and support to be properly prepared for college or life off the reservation. I also noticed many Indians on the reservation lacked the desire to leave and seek opportunities off the reservation. That is all I’m going to comment on for now do not want to spoil any of the book…

I think that this book is really good so far. I have never really thought about life on a reservation being like that. The first part of the book was funny in one way but at the same time depressing in a way. It is good and funny that Junior is able to joke around with how he looks and his brain disorder, but at the same time I wish that he wouldn't have had to do that in order to stay sane. He almost had to act like that because so many people pick on him. The poverty in the book struck me as odd too. I would have thought that the economic status would be like other communities with some on the higher end and others on the lower end, but this book has brought on a whole new perspective on it. I agree with Sydney about the part where the dog gets shot. I can understand where the dad was coming from because he didn't want the dog to suffer any more then he already had to, but it would have broken my heart to have to do that. I'm use to being able to take my pet to the vet and if we can't afford it at the time, charge it and pay it back little by little. It was just really sad. It is also really sad that the students have to use old text books from 30 years before. You would think that the school would be able to update books and if not update them, then be able to get accurate information to the students at the school. I can't wait to finish the rest of the book.

I really enjoyed this book. I believe that teens can really learn a lot from Junior’s as he finds way to success even when the cards are stacked against him. I also initially wondered why someone’s race and heritage would affect their long term success, but as I read on more things became clear. I found it interesting that the same teacher that junior hit with his 30 year old excuse for a text book approached junior a few days after being hit, begging Junior to leave the reservation to seek a better education. At this point it became clear to me that the reason many of the Indians on the reservation fail to be successful is because they lack appropriate resources and support to be properly prepared for college or life off the reservation. I also noticed many Indians on the reservation lacked the desire to leave and seek opportunities off the reservation. That is all I’m going to comment on for now do not want to spoil any of the book…

When first beginning the book, I could not help but think about the future students I will be teaching. As many of them will have disabilities, I started thinking about how they feel about their differences. Junior was maybe not content with his differences but he accepted them, and continued on with the cards he was dealt. He was positive and even joked about the numerous disabilities he had. This in itself can teach the reader, even within the first few pages, how people with disabilities are just like everyone else. Junior is a typical teenager but faces more challenges than many of his peers. I really enjoy that he has found a hobby (drawing) that he likes, and he is quite good at it too. It allows him to use his own imagination when he wants to get away from the negatives of indian life. I always knew that Indian reservations were often made of people who were alcoholics and just lived off money from the government, but I never really understood what drove them to drink or why they could not get a job. This book helped teach me the real reasons, and my heart goes out to those living on the reservation. It really is like a lost colony, except this colony is still there, but just forgotten. Indians are probably treated the worst out of any other Americans, due to a lack of resources and supports designed to help them succeed. So far I really enjoy this book, and I am anxious to see how it unfolds!

I agree with Mandy when talking about how poor the Indians on the reservation are. I remember back in high school, when us students, and even our teachers would complain about how we haven't had new text books in 4 years. I can only imagine the firestorm that would break out if they had to wait for 30 years to get the same textbook. Personally, I would have tons of anger, just like many of them did, especially Rowdy. Although these Indians were very poor and faced many adversities, they were rich in love and family adhesiveness. Junior has yet to complain or say hardly anything negative about his family. He is constantly talking about how close his family is, and cares about the advice that is given to him. I admire the people that live on the reservations, and do not know if I could overcome the hatred towards those that put me in the reservations.

In response to Amber's post, I wonder too how my students will deal with having a disability. It would be great if they could take it lightly and joke about it but I feel like many of them will be self consious about it. I would like to learn some strategies that I could teach my students to help them deal with having a disability.

For this weeks post, I would like to comment on when Junior says "If you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing." I think that this is a really neat quote. This happens after Penelope and Roger find out that Junior doesn't have much money. I think that this is an important lesson for people to learn, especially people with disabilities. I work at Grandfather Academy and kids like the kids at my school don't trust people easily and want to shut everyone else out. They have been abandoned, betrayed, and abused by people that they had formorally trusted. I think that this is an important lesson for them to learn. The hardest part of trusting is knowing who is trustworthy and who is not.

Well I am 75 pages in, and thus far I really like this book. It really does hook you at the beginning! I honestly did not think based on the title of this book I would find it any, if somewhat appealing, but it is proving me wrong. Since I am not even half way finished, I still thought I would post because a few things have already come to my attention in the 75 pages. I have to give a disclaimer; the following is not to insult or "call out" the author of the book, just things I found, well interesting I guess you could say. For starters, I was shocked by the language use, it doesn't offended me, but I do not see young readers handling the use of language (profanity) as well as I do.. so this makes me think, if I taught middle to high school grades and we were reading this book, how would you handle the language used? At school we tell and teach students not to use cuss words and they are not acceptable in our classroom, but here we are reading a book that uses profanity in a loose way (once again, I have no problem with this, but I don't see parents being pleased with this). Another thing, while it was not a long drawn out section of the book, but it does talk about masturbation..how do you address this in the classroom, the kids in this book will be going through puberty and all the things that come with it..I just don't know how I would address this part of the book (once again it is not a long part, but it did catch my eye as a reader). It also talks about drinking alot, calling his parents drunks and such, which if the shoe fits wear it, but I guess I went to schools who would more than likely not allow us to read a book that addressed some of the things that have happened thus far, only 75 pages in..what do you guys think?

But back to the book, I really like Junior, I think like Mr. P, he has great potential..he just needed to get away so he could reach that potential. I feel bad for Rowdy, and wish someone (a teacher) would reach out to him. My favorite part so far has been when Junior threw the book that was his mothers at Mr. P (not intentionally), but just the statement that I am not going to take this anymore, I deserve better! I think that is such a powerful thing because we as teachers can not really help students unless they are sick of the situation they are in, or not knowing something and reach out and want us to give and provide them with something better! But as of now, I am not the biggest fan of Penelope, but I am interested to see if a friendship sparks with Junior and Roger.

Oh yeah, I wonder if they have special education teachers on/in Indian reservation schools?

This post/response is to Lindsey's last post.

I also found it interesting that Mr. P was the one that made such a strong argument and push for Junior to get out of the reservation schools, and as fast as possible. I think that shows through the years how you grow as a teacher and you see what is actually very important and beneficial for your students, and with Junior it was to leave the place he calls home and challenge himself as a student and individual. What I have read so far in the book has made me think the same questions, how can or why does a culture/heritage allow such awful resources for their children/students and while I have not finished the book, so I do not know if it will explain it to me more or I will better understand..it makes me think of kids growing up in the intercity schools and how their stories are much like Juniors, I think this book might be a good one for them to read, maybe they will find encouragement or something, anything, for them to want to "break the habit" they are in.

Well, I am almost finished, I believe I have about 50 pages left, but I felt the need to do another blog.. I am so sad! I can't believe everyone is dying in this book. Junior's grandma was by far one of my favorite characters in this book! She was such an advocate and fan of his, I will miss her! A quote stuck out to me as I was reading, it was when Gordy was talking to Junior about grief and Medea; "Well of course, man. We Indians have LOST EVERYTHING. We lost our native land, we lost our languages, we lost our songs and dances. We lost each other. We only know how to lose and be lost." I know this quote is in reference to the Native American culture, but I think more importantly, a lot of kids feel this way- lost, alone, hopeless. I was to be a teacher that gives hope to my students.. I think that is what Junior realizes when he makes his list (which I think is a super cool idea), and what brings him joy. I think we should all make joy list more!

It also broke my heart when he admitted to Penelope and Roger that he was poor. It makes me think of all those kids I will have who will be hiding these secrets and trying to cover things up, like poverty, or abuse..its crazy, college doesn't teach you how to handle this kinda stuff.

This is in response to Sydney's last post-

When I was reading, the quote that Junior said "if you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing", I love love love this quote! I think it is a very simple but powerful statement. I shared it with all my roommates, and they agreed too. While Sydney took, trust from this quote, I took trust as well, but I also took being open and hopeful from this quote. I think hope is something that kids today do not have, whether because they are struggling with a disability, poverty, etc. But none the less, this book is turning out to be a really good read!

In response to Sara's post on April 10th, I didn't like Penelope much either at first and now I have mixed feelings. She seems really stuck up sometimes but then she has her moments where she seems really caring. I think that it was cool the way that Penelope started talking to Junior. He waited for her outside of the bathroom while she was throwing up and then talked to her when she came out. Then he told her "don't give up." I think that it is cool the way sometimes something small like that can make people open up and talk. Just to feel that little bit of relief when someone says something nice like that is amazing.

When reading that Junior wanted to get off the reservation to receive a better education, I was completely blown away. Up until that point the entire book talked about how much his life sucked, for lack of a better term. One thing for sure, Junior has more courage than me and lots of other people that I know. After taking this leap of faith, it seemed as those his level of confidence sky rocketed after he began settling down in his new school. Many beliefs that he previously had about non-reservation public schools were dispelled, and once he realized this, he was able to perform better socially and academically. I did feel sorry for Junior's parents, after it seemed that both their children wanted to basically abandon their upbringing. However, like many parents, they wanted better for their children and understood and accepted their decisions. This book has really taught me to look at "different" students in a different light. Although this is very stereotypical, I often think of students who do not fit the norm, to steer clear and remove themselves from those that do fit the norm. Junior made me forget this notion and went against all odds, and tried out for the basketball team, made several friends, and even got a girl. I cannot wait to see how this book ends, as I am really hooked, and imagine that many young readers would also be engaged in this book.

In response to Sara's post on April 12, I whole-heartedly agree. My heart breaks for Junior and all the other Native Americans' living on reservations. Like we discussed in our book clubs in class, the reservation was constructed as a graveyard-for the Indians to "die" out. This book has really opened my eyes to see the travesties that occur on these reservations, such as lack of adequate health care, education, and support services to prevent alcoholism and gambling. I actually highlighted the quote Sara mentioned in her post, as it struck me as well. (Great minds think alike!). But fortunately, Junior looked at a bad and horrible situation and turned it into something good by making his joy list. This strategy could work for anyone, even on the worst of days. This strategy also seems like a good idea to use in the classroom, to not only boost their self-esteem, but also to ease any problem behaviors. Like I have said before, these Indians have lost everything, yet they still have so much, especially the close knit families, such as the one Junior has. Like Sara said, hope is crucial in the lives of children, and Junior is clinging on to hope by going to Reardan!

Well I am finished with the book, so this will be my final post. Overall, I think this is a great book, it evokes almost every emotion; happiness, anger, sadness, etc. It also makes you think..I, of course have heard the stereotypical things said about Indians and Indian Reservations, but you never know if the stereotype really fits..in the case of Junior, it did.

I can't believe Junior's sister died, that broke my heart! Everyone in his family died, it was crazy. Clearly more should be done on reservations dealing with alcoholism and prevention!

I think it would be interesting as a future teacher to take a trip to a reservation school to see what it is really like and what these kids are really struggling with, because it might be more than academics, much like Junior!

I think that the decision that Junior made to leave the reservation was one of the best decisions that he ever made. This one decision alone opened the door to so many other oppotunities that he would have never even known about. At first he was scared of his new classmates, I mean who wouldn't be scared if you were the only minority student and one of the poorest students in the whole school. But I loved the part where he stood up to Roger and finally earned his peer's respect. This new level of confidence really made a difference in his life. He tried out for the basketball team and ended up starting most of the games as a freshmen, he got a girlfriend, he gained new friends that he could hang out with, and he was able to succeed in school academically also.

I agree with Amber's last post about Junior having a lot of courage to leave the reservation and venture out to somewhere new. It is really hard for a student who changes schools, even to another like their old one, can be a scary thing, but to change to a completely different school is something totally different. I couldn't imagine deciding to change schools that's 22 miles away and then knowing that I would have to walk some of those days too. I know it was a really hard decision for him to make and I really admire him for making that decision to better his life.

Looking back at all the things that Junior went throguh its tough to believe that he did not give up. He saw the death of many family members including his pet dog because they could not afford treatment. I agree that once he got settled in his new school everything began to change for him. If he had not found the support system at his new school he might have turned to alcohol like much of his family.

I agree with Amber that this book would be a great book for the classroom because it can encourage children to push through their problems. It also can show students that even in the worst situations people can find away to make the best.

Sara, I beleive this should be the quote of the book... "if you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing"... This quote is the book in a nut shell. Once Junior started to let people into his life things began to change for him and this can be a lesson to all students; letting people into your life and talking about problems can only help and possibly be a solution.

I didnt really expect to enjoy this book at that much before I started reading it. However, within the first few chapters it fully captured my attention and kept this attention until the very last page. Towards the end of the book, I was blown away by the philosophical and in-depth thought that was provoked by Junior. When he was given the opportunity to start as a Freshman against his ex-high school, a sense of hope came flying off the pages. Not many people ever believed in Junior, and some of the few that did sadly died in this book. However, some of the people still alive placed their faith and their belief in him. Props go to his basketball coach for the tear-wrenching speech he gave to Junior before the basketball game. Junior said it himself that he wanted to live by expectations. This statement summarizes what I feel to be how everyone should live. Everyone needs high expectations for themselves. Individuals should set these expectations for themselves, and their loved ones should also set these high expectations. Without the coach to push him, or Junior to push himself in going to Reardan to begin with, Junior would have never had made it as far as he did. The greatest words anyone could have told him is "You can do it!" As a future teacher I cannot wait to tell this to my students and see their confidence build just by knowing that someone believes in him.

In response to Lindsey's post. I think he summed it up perfectly. He never gave up. There were so many opportunities that he could have thrown in the towel, yet he persevered through all the adversity and made something of himself. This book has taught me so much about admiration, and I fully admire Junior for his triumphs. I also agree with Sara's post about thinking it would be cool to visit a reservation. Even as a college field trips, it would truly be beneficial for teaching majors to go and visit a school on the reservation. I am sure it would an eye-opening experience, if these reservations are really how they are depicted in this book. This book has showed me the things I take for granted and I am thankful for the opportunity to get to read this book and gain valuable insight into Native Americans and the schools on these reservations

I liked the book. I think that there is a lot that can be learned from it. I think that it is important to learn about other cultures and reading this book is a great way to get an insight to the life of a current day Native American. I thought it was sad the way that all of the people on the reservation decided to be angry at Junior for going to school off of the reservation. I always wondered why they referred to Junior going to a different school as "leaving the res." He wasn't actually leaving. He was just going to school. He came back every night. It is crazy how that little of an action can be that big of a deal.

In response to Lindsey, I agree that it was amazing the way that Junior never gave up. He did go through a lot and learned a lot. He is a really strong kid and a strong character. He is a good role model for students to look at and see how many people have it worse than they do and they can still persist through.

After reading this book, I felt like I had a better understanding of the hardships that can go on at a reservation. I really felt sorry for Junior after everything that had happened. He is a tough kid being able to survive all of the deaths and ridicules that had happened to him on the reservation. I think that moving to the new school though was overall the best choice he could've made. He now is able to get better opportunities for himself and able to better himself overall academically and socially. I am also glad that in the end him and Rowdy made up. I loved their unique friendship from the very start and I hated the part where they weren't friends. I love this book and it is really an eye-opener to how life is for a lot of Native-Americans in the United States.

I agree with Sydney about how this is a great book to use to learn about other cultures. You don't really understand other cultures till you live it or read about somebody's experience living it and this is definitely a great book to read to truly understand the hardships that other cultures can have. It is a emotional book that anybody can connect with and that's what makes it an important learning tool. It was an amazing book.