Parents' Guide to Thunder Boy Jr.

Book Sherman Alexie Picture Book 2016
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Common Sense Media Review

Jan Carr By Jan Carr , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 4+

Native American boy wants his own name in big-hearted story.

Parents Need to Know

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What's the Story?

In THUNDER BOY JR., a young Native American boy doesn't like his name, Thunder Boy Smith Jr. Not only is it "not a normal name," but he has to share it with his dad, so people call him Little Thunder, which "makes me sound like a burp or a fart." Thunder Boy wants a name that celebrates him and his interests, so over the next pages he comes up with eight really fun and unusual alternatives, from the wacky Old Toys Are Awesome to Drums, Drums, and More Drums, since he loves powwow dancing. He's thrilled when his dad finally sees that he needs an identity of his own and renames him Lightning: "My dad and I will light up the sky."

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This surefire kid pleaser, perfect for families to share, blends detail about a Native American boy and his family with dashes of both silliness and tenderness. In a seriously fun sequence that will inspire readers to riff on names for themselves, he fantasizes about names that "celebrate something cool that I've done" -- for instance, Not Afraid of Ten Thousand Teeth because he once touched a wild orca. Some of his traits are specific to Native American culture (he's a grass dancer who loves powwow dancing), and others will be recognizable to a broad swath of kids (he rides a bike and likes toys).

Author Sherman Alexie has crafted a word-perfect, page-turning text, and Yuyi Morales' bold, colorful art couldn't be more fun and inviting.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about names. What are the names in your family? Do they reflect your family's culture? Do you have friends with names from different cultures?

  • What details in the story make it clear that the boy is Native American? What details make you feel that he's a kid who's similar to lots of kids?

  • If you could give yourself a name that celebrates something cool that you've done, what would it be?

Book Details

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