Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie

Title: Thunder Boy Jr.
Author/Illustrator: Sherman Alexie/Yuyi Morales
Genre: Fiction
Awards: Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Award
Age: 4-8

This book is about a little boy who's named after his father, but wants a name of his own. He mentioned how 'Big Thunder', which is is father's nickname sounds like a name that fills up the sky. His nickname, 'Little Thunder' sounds like a burp to him. He tells how his mother and sister's names are fancy names and normal, while his is nowhere near normal. he tells the reader a secret and that is that he hates his name, and that he wants his own. He wanted a name that sounded like him, and celebrates something amazing that he's done. He comes up with these different names he thinks would be great, and they're all based on things he's done, such as 'Not Afraid of Ten Thousand Teeth' because he touched a wild orca, another was 'Gravity's Best Friend' because he learned to ride a bike when he was three. He didn't like his name because he felt small, and din;t ant to be exactly like his dad, he loved him but mostly wanted to be himself. His father came up to him and said it was time he get a name of his own and that was 'Lightning' and together they would be amazing weather. He said their love would be loud and bright, and together they will light up the sky.

I think this book is a great read for children who may not like their names, some children who are juniors may not like that and they may feel how Little Thunder felt. They may want a name of their own something they don't have to share with someone else, because at the end of the day, a person's name is all they have. Sure you may come across someone who has the same name as you, but that;s different. I think if I were to use this in a lesson, I would have my students come up with a name they would want, it can be anything and hey would have to explain to me why they would want their name to be whatever they came up with. This book suits children in Pre-K-2nd, since students are becoming their own person, and what better book to go with that.
- Peace. Love. Giraffes.

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