Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie (review)

“Thunder Boy is not a normal name,” says our distressed narrator, who is his father’s namesake. The moniker doesn’t work for Thunder Boy Jr., though: “People call me Little Thunder. That nickname makes me sound like a burp or a fart.” Much as he loves his dad, he wants his own name, and he dreams of various possibilities. He is therefore thrilled when his father understands his son’s dilemma and gives him a new name, Lightning (“My dad and I will light up the sky”). 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. A note explains the inspirations for Morales’ digital line and color illustrations; the smooth lines are softly organic in their curves, while the deft use of textures gives depth to the earthtoned elements. Even with the boy’s complaint, this is a joyous portrait of a family, with the visual motifs of a big red ball and a colorful painted guitar running through the spreads, and both Mom and Dad have some flair (Mom rides a motorcycle, for instance) as well as thoroughly enjoying their children. Plenty of kids will recognize the shared-name dilemma, and even those free of the anxiety of name influence will recognize Lightning’s jubilance at being recognized and understood by his father: “My dad read my mind! My dad read my heart!”