I am very pleased with this book. I think it has been the best yet. I liked that it was an adolescent focused book but it had a good outcome. Junior went through a lot that teenagers go through today and he came out with a bang! With the irrelevance of death happening in everyday life it is a hard aspect to deal with, but Junior pulled through. Making decisions to switch schools is not only hard and usually the parents decisions but it is also really stressful trying to fit in a new crowd, but Junior pulled through. Having your old best friend become your worst enemy is something teens may go threw too. It is the worst feeling and leaves an empty spot in your soul, but Junior pulled through.
As you can tell I am very proud of Junior pulling through all the tough times in this book. It shows teenage readers that there is light at the end of the tunnel. That there is a possibility to see through this depressed moment of your life. I think a lot of teenagers think its the end of the world when something bad falls on their plate but this book shows them to get up and dust your knees off. This was the most upbeat book that we have read so far and I am glad to see a good outcome. Especially Junior becoming friends again with Rowdy because this also will happen in your teenage years. Acquaintances come and go but true friends will always come back.
Jennifer Trock
Learning in the Age of the Trigger Warning
11 years ago
I really enjoyed the book too! I thought even with all the depressing things happening in Arnold’s life he also had a lot of really good moments. I viewed Arnold as a hero! He was a hero for Indians and for any one with a physical difference. I know how it is to switch schools its tough especially if you don’t know anyone and teenagers can be very cruel and in a lot of way I admire Arnold. You are absolutely right teens go thorough things with their friends like tests to see if your friendship will weather the storm. It’s more common that girls stop being friends for silly reasons especially during that transition from middle school to high school. I lost a friend or two around that time in my life as well. Your perfectly right friends do come and go but if they are your true friends they never go anywhere.
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