This book by Sherman Alexie is about the life of a poor Indian boy called Arnold. This novel is kind of an autobiography where Sherman Alexie describes his life and every Indian's life on the rez.
Arnold, the main character, lives on a rez with his family, his dog and his best and only friend. His main goal is to be rich and famous, that's why he has to leave the rez.
Since the beginning of the book, we discover a fourteen year-old-Indian boy who feels rejected. Because of water that he has in the brain, he has physical problems : in the first chapter, we learn that he is skinny with a big and fragile head that stops him from fighting with the others, that's why he is considered as the weakest.
Thankfully, he's got a gift : he knows how to draw wonderful cartoons for the pleasure of his close relatives, especially his best friend Rowdy who protects him from the others.
To make his dream come true, Arnold leaves the rez to go to Reardan, a white public school. This leads the tribe to consider him as a betrayer, his family is there to support him.
During the year, he learns how to integrate the white world: he meets new friends such as Gordy the wierd guy, Roger the basketball player and Peneloppe the beautiful girl of his dreams. His integration is partly due to his performance in the basketball team. Thus, he becomes the school's basketball star.
During the season, he will eventually have to “fight” against his old best friend Rowdy and his tribe on the basketball court.
This book is relating in a funny way the story of a poor Indian boy who starts from nothing and fights to make his dreams come true. It also lets people discover the living conditions of nNative Americans and the way they are seen and treated by white people. Filled with emotion, this book could open your eyes on the injustices of this world.
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