Trials and tribulations

I find this book really a good taste of reality.At the end of our last reading session,Junior was starting a new school and had a whole lot iof things going on in and around him.Now we are at the point that Junior has not only made his decision to strive after hope.I think now at the beginning that he really had overlooked the reality of everything.Decisions are made somewhat quick,and some people dont stop to think of the ramafications.In this case it is going to be harder than Junior could have ever imagined.With the new beginning i am sure he was not only nervous,and excited, he was also a little paranoid about several things.Like he has already established his parents were alcoholics.So this brings on thought of being forgotten by his dad.You know all of those casinos and the temptation tobe destracted.So now as time goes on he has the very confriontation he needs.However when someone is engaged in situations as such they would never believe it is something that is needed.But he dopes need this for his schoolmates watching to see who and what kind if person he is.Such a s if he lets themm walk all over him,sure the rest of the school will follow suit.But if he stands up for himself things could go in a whole different way.And that is exactly what happened.He not only surprised himself,but i am sure the rest of the school as well.This is also the time he recieves a ride to school from his father friend.,Eugene(pg71) And it here tht he gets what he needs also.And that is in the form of self-esteem.And what i mean about that is, his fathers friend thinks him as being brave and courageous.This sit Junior aback for a minute.How could this guy look at him with adulation.And that comes from the hidden cloud of being thought of as a traitor to all other reservation people.So while all this is going on he meets Penelope and he thinks her beautiful.But she is put back by the fact thta Junior answers to one name and gives her another,so this creates tension between them but it is short lived.And then ther is the fight rules(pg.61-62) so it seems it is harder not to get into a fight than not.And then comes the part where everyone is identified by Junior by how thier lives are going his sister runs away finally only to get married to live on yet another reservation in Montana(pg91),and of course the parents alcoholicws tha he i s afraid might forget to bring him home due to thier vices.And grandmother well she is deemed the "wise one" for all the advice she hands out and it does seeem to be right on the money.And then there is the infamous Rowdy he merely makes a small appearance while Junior is trying to re-connect with him,but Rowdy still feels deeply betrayed by his friend.And of course how could one overlook the irony of indians celebrating Thanksgiving.And Juniors dad is and was right they celebrate Thanksgiving why?.Because all those who do celebrate do so with the thought of being thankful.And what could they be thankful for ?They were thankful thta at least they were not all slaughtterd when the whites came.(pg102)In closing the last friend he made was at his new school.And the kids name is Gordy.Hes taught Junior how to read and how to crave for it.