Brain Snacks: Tasty Tidbits of Knowledge
A Wendigo isn't something you do if you have a coupon for a free Son of Baconator. This monster, summoned by Lyle at the end of the book, is a real-life monster. By real-life, we mean it comes from actual Algonquin folklore. It's a humanoid monster that craves human flesh. It is also a spirit that can possess humans and make them hunger for human flesh. Will better watch his butt around Lyle. Literally. (Source)
Another bit of Native American folklore borrowed for this novel appears when Coach Jericho turns into a bear. Although the book doesn't explicitly show us him becoming a bear, his behavior before and after makes it likely that the magic bear is Jericho himself. The ability to transform into an animal is known as "skinwalking." The term was popularized by a Tony Hillerman novel, and it still frightens people on Facebook today. (Source and Source)
Will's guardian angel, Dave, was a member of ANZAC, which isn't a form of insurance. It stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. April 25 is now ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand, a day of memorial for soldiers who were lost during the war. (Source)