I think this is a great young adult book, and is geared toward classroom use as it has discussion questions in the back. The book isn't exactly completely original/unique for Alexie, but it's kinda Alexie-Lite——a good introduction to Alexie's style for the younger reader. I would be very happy with this book being used in middle and high school English classes. Alexie certainly doesn't dance around issues of race and poverty, and the story does a pretty good job debunking certain white fantasies about life as an Indian——moreso than some of his other stories.

I get the feeling that Alexie really likes basketball or something, hahahaha. But it's good because I think a lot of students will be able to relate to that and it's a good way to reach them.

I was initially afraid that this story was going to be too focused on bootstraps and that white readers might get the message that poor people and Indians just gotta try harder and think positive and everything will be OK!, but I think that in the end the audience will probably get the idea that Indians are up against so much compared to white folks.