Themes
Identity and self-esteem
In the beginning of the novel Junior feels like the outcast of the reservation, but once he transfers to a school in Reardan with only white kids, he becomes a basketball star. During the novel, after he transfered to the Reardan school, he felt like he had two selves: Junior from the reservation and Arnold from the Reardan school. At the end of the novel learns himself to see himself as someone who belongs to many different tribes.
Poverty
Many people on the reservation live in poverty. The poverty has squashed the hope on the reservation. Many people are alcoholics and this causes many senseless deaths (Eugene and Mary). Despite the poverty Junior is willing to fight for a better life.
Racism and discrimination
Junior feels like he is 'part-time Indian', he feels Indian when on the reservation and a white kid when in Reardan. This suggests that someone's race or identity can change depending on place or social setting.
Family relations
Junior says his parents are loving and supportive despite the challenges his parents have to face (no money and alcohol). Even when the whole family is hungry Junior has faith that his parents will bring them a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. When Junior decides to go to the Reardan school his parents are encouraging and do what ever to get enough money to bring him the 22 miles to his new school. Although his father was drunk sometimes he never missed a game, concert, play or picknick of Junior. On the Reardan school most students come from wealthy families but their parents aren't as caring and involved as Junior's parents.
friendship
Junior's main and only friend on the reservation is Rowdy. Only when he moved to the Reardan school he becomes friends with more people: Penelope, Gordy, Roger and even his basketball coach.
Hope and dreams
In the beginning of the novel Junior describes how living on the reservation makes him and other Indians lose hope. He uses his parents as an example of Indians who didn't follow their dreams because nobody believed in them. Wanting to break out of this cycle motivates Junior to follow his ambitions. Once on the Reardan school he notices that his new, white classmates have a lot of hope and future plans. Though he doesn't like the feeling that he has betrayed his tribe by going to Reardan, Junior knows that he won't be able to follow his dreams if he stays on the reservation.
Writing and Literature
Writing and literature play an important role in the novel. Junior likes to draw cartoons and write because it makes him feel important and it's his way of communicating. Rowdy likes to read comics so he doesn't have to think about all the things that are happening at home. Mary reads and writes romance novels in order to run away from reality. They all use writing, drawing and reading to make the conditions at home bearable.
Role models
Junior has many role models in the novel. Coach is the most important role model for Junior because he always talks about respect and dignity. Junior and Coach develop a wonderful mentor/student relationship. Coach's biggest show of concern about Junior is when he goes to the hospital to visit Junior. Other role models for Junior are some of his friends who are willing to stick up for him. Penelope is one of them, she dresses up like a homeless lady in order to collect spare change for the homeless people. Another role model is Gordy, Junior looks up to him because he is seen as the class genius. Junior has so much respect for Gordy that he requests friendship. The incident in Mrs. Jeremy's class is also an example where Roger, Gordy and Penelope come to the rescue.