Discussion point by Steph ~2~ Depressing or Uplifting?

**julibean** · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:49 am Post subject:

I found Junior's story to be uplifting, but the reality of the fate of the other characters in the story was pretty depressing. I cried for Rowdy and for Mary and for the rest on the reservation. Do you ever wonder what the world is missing out on because some people are never given a chance to show their potential?

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**Joanne Maria** · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:04 am Post subject:

julibean wrote:

Do you ever wonder what the world is missing out on because some people are never given a chance to show their potential?

That, my dear, is perfectly put....Everyone deserves a chance.

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**catzgirl** · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 11:04 am Post subject:

mearley wrote:

Overall I found the story very uplifting. Junior is a character you can't help but root for, and the end gives us a sense that he will rise above his situation. However, my eyes were opened to a world I have to admit I know very little about. I guess I vaguely knew that Native American reservation life is difficult, but I've never given it much thought. The knowledge that this fiction was based on the grim reality was somewhat depressing. But in a way, that made Junior an even more inspiring character.

Exactly. Steph's question is "do you find it MORE..." I agree that it is MORE uplifting than depressing. Glad to finish on that note of determination and perseverance.

**BeautifulDisaster** · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 2:42 pm Post subject:

Totally uplifting. By the end of the book, when Junior's life had gone from bad to worse, he didn't even feel sorry for himself any more.

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**Caroline** · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 3:51 pm Post subject:

Definately more uplifting for me. I mean, everyone has tragedy in their lives to a certain extent. Given, Junior had more than his fair share, but the real tragedy would have been if he wasn't able to get past it all and shape his own future.

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**Onyx** · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:32 am Post subject:

Both for me, too. The amount of stereotyping and prejudice really got me, and it is soo true. In grad school, I took a trip with a Native American professor to the Lummi reservation near Bellingham, WA. She and I were walking back to our hotel from a restaurant and got stopped by the police because we accidentally turned onto a highway ramp instead of the street the hotel was on. Instead of gently pointing out our mistake and sending us on our way, the cops demanded IDs and gave us a hard time because all I had with me was my credit card. It was completely bizarre -- I had never witnessed anything like that before. If she hadn't been NA and I had been blonde, that never would have happened. She called it a W.W.I. -- walking while Indian.

Mostly, it was an uplifting book for me. I really enjoyed seeing him rise above his circumstances while not abandoning his upbringing/heritage. Great book.

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**Kel** · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 3:12 am Post subject:

Ifound it was both. It was uplifting beacause it teachs people that no matter where thay come from that you can become what you want to. It was depressing because some so young should never have to go thought this like that. I'vee been there. Also it is sad because no matter how hard some of us (humanbeings) try, theere is still people out there that hate.

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**bixby** · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:21 am Post subject:

Uplifting for the most part. Junior deals with what life throws at him with determination and a great sense of humor.

**sarahpat** · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:52 am Post subject:

It is depressing to read about the poverty and dinking to deal with the sad circumstances of life on the reservation. But so uplifting, because there is always a choice in how you are going to deal with the cards you are dealt. Junior always chose the higher road! How can you say that you can't do right or make things better for yourself, when this 14 year old kid, who had the crapiest life, was able to turn things around. Things just kept getting worse for him, but he always chose to make things possitive. I loved that. He is someone that we can look up to and say, if he can make things better, so can I.

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**KristinLynn** · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:40 pm Post subject:

Junior's story is very depressingly realistic, having worked with the Navojos for six years I can tell you I honestly smelled the mutton stew and tasted the desert in my mouth while reading this book. However, what sustains you from dropping into the dismal abyss of all the curses he endures is Juniors reaction to his reality. He is constantly taking stock of his blessings. I love his lists! I love the tribal unity he felt with those even off the rez.

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**mommavamp** · Newborn Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 71 Location: Ohio

I just finally got the book from my local library! I only have one chapter to go, I think??? Anyway, on my way to work this morning I thought, "Gosh this is such a depressing book." Crying or Very sad

But then the thought came to me that this young man really had to go thru all of the tragedy to keep his resolve for the hope he would not be just another Indian statistic. Smile

He is really coming out on top here isn't he? In my opinion the book is both, depressing and uplifting!

**chocoholic** · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject:

Definitely uplifting. It is Junior's attitude that makes the story uplifting. In the face of the real-life adversity that he is facing, he finds outlets in art and humor. He continuously sifts through the rubble to find the few good pieces that are worth holding on to, and he focuses on those. If he were suffering, we would be also. He is not, however, which allows us to feel his strength and believe that we, too, can overcome adversity.

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**lisaskye** · Newborn Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 97 Location: Scotland

Well, it's depressing if you focus on Junior's parents or sister or grandmother (who never drank a drop in her life and then gets run over and killed by a drunk driver - how cruelly ironic!)
Luckily, the book is mainly about Junior and look what the 'real' Junior has made of his life. That makes the book more uplifting than depressing.

**BittenbyBryan** · Newborn Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 34

I did the quote thing wrong, but Julibean asked:

Do you ever wonder what the world is missing out on because some people are never given a chance to show their potential?

My dad was just lamenting that our family is littered with smart people who didn't live up to their potential.

So I wonder, Is it harsh to say that maybe we shouldn't wait for the chance to show our potential, but should run, head-long after them?

**Jenny** · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:41 am Post subject:

I thought the story was uplifting. I was amazed at Junior's spirit and drive. He is an amazing young man, so determined. It was depressing to think of all the other kids stuck there though. I didn't realize that life on an Indian reservation was filled with such poverty. I was naive thinking that racism like that isn't so commonplace.

What kid would go to school 22 miles away with no transportation?? That takes real guts!!

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