He’s explored his Native American childhood in poems, YA novels, even films.
I was ready to leave!
he says, laughing.
Credit: Lee Towndrow
Its one of my earliest memories.
I was dreaming about the outside world almost constantly, he says.
In a tribal context, thats weird.
He considersThunder Boya companion piece toTrue Diary: Its not the same person, but they have similar lives.
I wanted to write a book about a positive, loving family.
I thought it was important for a Native American picture book to feature that.
That nickname is a storm filling up the sky.
People call me Little Thunder.
For him this issue is deeply personal.
Im Sherman Alexie Jr., he says.
Id always struggled with being named after my father.
He let me leave the rez for the white school, Alexie explains.
Quoting fromThunder Boy Jr.but clearly speaking about his own father, Alexie says, He read my mind.
He read my heart.
