79 pages • 2 hours read
Eric GansworthIf I Ever Get Out of Here
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2013A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth follows Lewis "Shoe" Blake, a Native American teenager from a reservation in 1975, as he navigates the challenges of junior high and cultural differences. He befriends George Haddonfield, a new white student from a military family, who helps him see life beyond the reservation, fostering a bond that endures through adversity. There are depictions of racial prejudice and poverty.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Eric Gansworth's If I Ever Get Out of Here has garnered praise for its vivid depiction of Native American life and the 1970s music scene. Critics commend the protagonist's relatable struggle with identity and friendship. However, some feel the plot can be slow-paced. Overall, it is lauded for its authenticity and emotional depth.
Who Should Read If I Ever Get Out of Here?
Fans of coming-of-age stories like The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell will enjoy Eric Gansworth's If I Ever Get Out of Here, which explores themes of friendship, identity, and the challenges faced by a Native American boy in the 1970s.
RecommendedReading Age
12-18yearsLexile Level
870L