Throughout the book Joe is faced with challenges that force him to mature. I had to remind myself that he is a 12 year old boy. The situations that he is put him is something I can’t imagine. With his family in turmoil he takes control and is so set on finding his mothers attacker he becomes independent. I think its a very powerful message about growing up. The book isn’t just one story it has multiple stories within it. I wonder if the stories being told are truly native american stories. They are like the stories we read at the beginning of the year with the humans and animals. More Native American stories could be researched.

Part of the book contains a pieces of racism with Linda Lark and the conservancy with being raised on the reservation with an Indian family. The tension between the people on the reservation and everyone else seems super harsh. The whites seem to think they are superior and should have control. With the question about who can and can’t do anything about Joes moms case. I think regarding certain things someone of high status should be in charge of what happens. No matter where a crime was taken place because things can’t always get done when they don’t have good resources.