"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie, Little, Brown and Company, 2007

Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian tells the story of Arnold ‘Junior’ Spirit, a fourteen year old boy who lives on the Spokane Indian reservation. Medically fragile and physically awkward, Junior is often bullied and relies on Rowdy, his only friend, as a protector and confidant. Unwilling to blindly accept the inevitable fate of a Spokane-one marked by alcohol and regret-Junior invests in his future and himself by deciding to attend school in an all white community outside of the reservation. Though the journey is tough, Junior learns to overcome adversity and forge his own identity in between two vastly different cultures.

            I think this book is very teachable. Junior offers honest insights and amusing cartoons that will definitely keep students interested. Theme-wise, the story deals with issues of friendship, race, fitting in, and making tough decisions that may not be popular. The themes and issues in this novel are very relatable to adolescents and offer positive messages, making it a valuable book to include in the classroom. The Native American culture enriches the novel and can also be a focal point of discussion and exploration. Though the book is fairly easy to read, the sexual commentary and drunkenness scattered throughout may be inappropriate for children at the middle school level. I would recommend this book for children in grades 8-10.