This is a great story it takes a lot of contemporary issues head on with a meaningful and relevant story. It is a fast read because there is a lot going on and the story moves from one big event to another. I really enjoyed the historical content added throughout the story and it is very educational about Native American themes. This is a great 6th to 8th grade English assignment that I would use to explore Native American and multicultural themes. I would connect it to students reflecting on a time when they were looking forward to a big event just like Dusty was.

Racism, discrimination, prejudice, these are not just words whose meaning we want to teach to our children. It is the responsibility of every adult to teach our children about these issues and the proper way to handle them. Barbara Hay has found the method to address these issues through this book. Her main character is a fifteen year old teen named Dusty who must decide how to handle a situation. It will mean he must decide to do what he knows he should and run the risk of losing his friends, or stick with his friends in something he knows is wrong. You need to read the book to see what he did.
I loaned this book to a student who seemed surprised that this happened to a Native American. Living in Florida the only Native Americans they were familiar with were the Seminoles and they thought that all of them owned gambling establishments. This book is the perfect way to discuss these major issues. I applaud the author for opening the door for these conversations ( )