Travis is a Native American boy in a big town. He is teased by classmates because he is so inept at lacrosse, a traditional sport. Through dreams (or spiritual guidance...you decide), his deceased grandfather encourages him by telling how he himself had to keep trying before he got good, by relating the traditional story about how lacrosse began, by passing on his old equipment.
This book includes details of real life for many native peoples in big towns: single working parent household, a grandparent in the home, economizing, simple meals, old car.
Includes glossary of Ojibwe words and related terms used in the book, a descriptive list of the equipment used in the game, and a list of books for further reading (not all are juvenile level).
I looked for the book because it was illustrated by Robert DesJarlait whose illustrations for "Sparrow Hawk" were well crafted. I was disappointed in his illustrations here. Even tho this book was published much later than Sparrow Hawk; they looked like they had been drawn by a young teen using colored pencils (colored areas not well filled) and the body proportions not very realistic. Perhaps he had drawn these pictures when younger. Or perhaps he deliberately mimicked a younger drawing style since the book was intended for children. ( )