No Name is one of the titles in 7th Generations' PathFinders Series. This series of novels are known as high/low books—written at a lower reading level but with high-interest, age-appropriate plots. Designed for reluctant readers ages 12 and up, these books feature linear story lines, limited vocabulary and short sentences. The main characters in all the titles are Indigenous teens and the stories all include references to traditional ways. The layout and print size also contribute in making the books easier to read. Inspired by the traditional Choctaw story, No Name, this modern adaptation features a present-day Choctaw teenager surviving tough family times. Abandoned by his mother, Bobby Byington is left along with his mean-spirited, abusive father. The one place the teen can find peace is on the neighborhood basketball court. But after a violent confrontation with his father, the teen runs away, only to return home to find an unexpected hiding spot in his own back yard that becomes his home for weeks. When Bobby has a chance to play on the high school basketball team, he decides—with the help and encouragement of his coach, a Cherokee buddy, and a quiet next-door girlfriend—to face his father. While the story may be of interest to First Nation students, the topic of family violence and alcoholism as well as basketball will appeal to non-Aboriginal students equally. Author Tim Tingle, an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, is a remarkable storyteller who keeps readers engaged with straightforward action sequences and character development. Reading Level: 2.5. Recommended. Teacher Guide: https://nativevoicesbooks.com/sites/default/files/no_name.pdf
