This book... Oh my God, I really liked it. I loved it.
Our protagonist is Arnold "Junior" Spirit. He lives on the Spokane Indian reservation with his mom, dad, grandma and older sister. He was born with a bunch of medical problems and is picked on by everyone but his family and his best friend, Rowdy. He's what you might called dorky, but I loved him. He's very easy to relate to.
Even though a lot of sad things happen throughout the story, the narration has wit and humor, so I was never overwhelmed with the sad parts. It's a perfect balance between sad and happy. Some parts made me tear up. Some parts made me laugh. And when a book can get me to laugh, or cry, or both, it is a winner for me.
