Alexie's writing illuminates the contemporary lifestyle of Indigenous peoples lived experiences on the reservation; in this case the Spokane Reservation in Washington State.
Junior grows up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Born with a variety of medical problems, he is picked on by everyone but his best friend. Determined to receive a good education, Junior leaves the rez to attend an all-white school. Despite being condemned as a traitor to his people and enduring great tragedies, Junior lives life with humor and discovers a strength inside of himself that he never knew existed.