The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is the personal account of a 14-year-old Spokane Indian, Junior, who decides to attend the all-white high school outside of the reservation where he lives. Junior is an aspiring cartoonist, and his diary is filled with comical drawings that accompany his account of his life. Junior must figure out how to fit in at his new school as an outsider, while also not being seen as a traitor to his friends and family on the reservation.
The book is written in the very humorous, and very candid voice of a 14-year old boy. There are a few parts which contain adult language and content, but they are not central to the plot or major themes of the novel. The book delves into some serious issues concerning the life of Native Americans on reservations including poverty, alcoholism, and death. These themes are secondary to the main idea, which is finding one's identity among two very different societies. Family and friendship play a large part as well, and I believe that all of these themes are important and relevant for teaching multicultural literature for adolescents.
This book would be teachable in a middle school and early high school setting because it is an average length and is written in a very entertaining and comprehensible style. I think it would attract young people because of the style in which it is written (and of course the humorous cartoons throughout the book make it fun as well). But although it is readable and entertaining, the issues it calls attention to are serious. Not only will it grab their attention, but the themes discussed can generate important thoughts and discussion about issues faced not only by minorities, but by any young adolescents.
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