Thunder Boy Jr.

by Sherman Alexie, Yuyi Morales (Illustrator)

Overview

Thunder Boy Jr. is named after his dad, but he wants a name that's all his own. Just because people call his dad Big Thunder doesn't mean he wants to be Little Thunder. He wants a name that celebrates something cool he's done, like Touch the Clouds, Not Afraid of Ten Thousand Teeth, or Full of Wonder.

But just when Thunder Boy Jr. thinks all hope is lost, he and his dad pick the perfect name...a name that is sure to light up the sky.

National Book Award-winner Sherman Alexie's lyrical text and Caldecott Honor-winner Yuyi Morales's striking and beautiful illustrations celebrate the special relationship between father and son.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316013727
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	05/10/2016
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	747
Product dimensions:	9.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD420L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

A National Book Award-winning author, poet, and filmmaker, Sherman Alexie is one of the most well-known and beloved literary writers of his generation. His works of fiction, including The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Reservation Blues, and The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, have received numerous awards and citations. He lives in Seattle. Like Thunder Boy Jr., Sherman was named for his father.

Since migrating to the United States from Mexico in 1994, Yuyi Morales has created some of our most celebrated children's books, including Niño Wrestles the World, Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez, and many others. She is the winner of several awards, including a Pura Belpré Medal and a Caldecott Honor for Viva Frida. Yuyi divides her time between Mexico and California.

Editorial Reviews

…a story that feels both modern and timeless, a joyous portrait of one boy's struggle to (literally) make a name for himself in the world…Alexie's expertly paced text zips along with loving interjections from the boy's entire family, led by a precocious little sister. Morales's richly textured art crackles with boundless energy. Somehow, in her hands the color yellow radiates with a life of its own.

The New York Times Book Review - Francisca Fortes

A New York Times Notable Children's Book of the Year
A NYPL Best Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the YearA Boston Globe-Horn Book Picture Book Honor Book of the Year
Time Top 10 Children's Book of the Year
A Washington Post Best Children's Book of the Year
An Amazon Best Children's Book of the Year

"Together [Sherman and Morales] deliver a story that feels both modern and timeless, a joyous portrait of one boy's struggle to (literally) make a name for himself in the world."—The New York Times Book Review

* "An enchanting and humorous picture book....This has all of the qualities of a classic story like Goodnight Moon and is destined to be a modern classic, with youngsters wanting repeated readings."—School Library Journal, starred review

* "Even if little one don't pick up on the cultural significance, they'll be entranced by the brilliant illustrations and Thunder Boy's rollicking determination to branch out on his own."—Booklist, starred review

* "Echoes of Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian resonate in this vibrant first-person tale....Thunder Boy's energy is irresistible, as is this expansive portrait of a Native American family."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "Despite the dad-pleasing message, the book is too funny and real to veer into parental self-congratulation, and Morales's illustrations give great life and specificity to Thunder Boy's Lightning's family."—Horn Book, starred review

* "An expertly crafted, soulful, and humorous work that tenderly explores identity, culture, and the bond between father and son."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Alexie demonstrates his familiar gift for storytelling, using seemingly uncomplicated language to tell a layered and emotional story that retains tension despite being full of love. Even with this boy's complaint, this is a joyous portrait of a family."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

From the Publisher

Thunder Boy’s name may sound as unique as his personality, but it is not. He shares his name with his dad. They are known as Big Thunder and Little Thunder. Little Thunder loves his dad, but he has a secret: he hates his name and wants one of his own. He does not want a normal name like his mother Agnes or sister Lillian; he wants one that represents the person he is. Throughout the story, Thunder Boy lists possible names that better suit his personality. Some of the names celebrate his accomplishments; others celebrate his Native American heritage. Alexie’s first foray into picture books tackles identity and acceptance in an accessible way for preschoolers, young readers, and parents. Little Thunder wants more than a name; he wants to be recognized as an individual. The story is told as much through illustration as it is through words. Morales uses vibrant earth tones in the digitally colored pictures. Wood and brick colors and textures were scanned from pieces of an old house; visible wood grain on the pages gives the reader an almost tactile experience. The illustrations are woven into Alexie’s story by punctuating conventional text with comic book styled bubbles and words written directly onto the page. Little Thunder’s sister and dog accompany him throughout, adding humor and life to the illustrations that even non-readers will enjoy. Alexie and Morales’s work blend together beautifully to create a wonderful story for children and parents to share. Reviewer: Adam P. Sripranaratanakul; Ages 3 to 8.

Children's Literature - Adam P. Sripranaratanakul

★ 02/01/2016
K-Gr 4—An enchanting and humorous picture book about a little boy frustrated with his name. Readers are drawn into the story narrated by Thunder Boy Jr., called Little Thunder, who is named after his father, who is called Big Thunder. He works through his angst at the indignity of the name, presenting his case like a seasoned lawyer as he goes in search of a better, cooler moniker like Not Afraid of Ten Thousand Teeth or Touch the Clouds. The dialogue is humorous yet profound in the simple truths it imparts. His dad eventually gives him the perfect name. Morales uses vibrant colors and textures to bring this joyful American Indian father and son to life. Collage elements and mixed media lend the artwork an almost three-dimensional effect. This has all of the qualities of a classic story like Goodnight Moon and is destined to be a modern classic, with youngsters wanting repeated readings. VERDICT Highly recommended for all picture book collections.—Naomi Caldwell, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL

School Library Journal

★ 2016-03-16
Thunder Boy Smith Jr. hates his name. The Native American boy is named after his father, whose nickname is Big Thunder. Thunder Boy Jr. says his nickname, Little Thunder, makes him "sound like a burp or a fart." Little Thunder loves his dad, but he longs for a name that celebrates something special about him alone. He muses, "I love playing in the dirt, so maybe my name should be Mud in His Ears.…I love powwow dancing. I'm a grass dancer. So maybe my name should be Drums, Drums, and More Drums!" Little Thunder wonders how he can express these feelings to his towering father. However, he need not worry. Big Thunder knows that the time has come for his son to receive a new name, one as vibrant as his blossoming personality. Morales' animated mixed-media illustrations, reminiscent of her Pura Belpré Award-winning work in Niño Wrestles the World (2013), masterfully use color and perspective to help readers see the world from Little Thunder's point of view. His admiration of his dad is manifest in depictions of Big Thunder as a gentle giant of a man. The otherwise-muted palette bursts with color as Thunder Boy Jr. proudly enumerates the unique qualities and experiences that could inspire his new name. An expertly crafted, soulful, and humorous work that tenderly explores identity, culture, and the bond between father and son. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews