Arnold 'Junior' Spirit is 14 years old, small but intelligent and witty - and a Spokane Indian. He wants to make something of his life, but, being brought up on an Indian reservation in the state of Washington, USA, this is not going to be easy. So one day he decides to change his life by changing schools and leaving the 'rez'. His new school is full of successful white kids. Predictably, the boys there decide to beat Arnold up. By defending himself and discovering a talent for basketball (and for attracting girls), his horizons widen. But what about his other world on the reservation? How will his family and friends there react to his 'betrayal'?