Hanna Library Reads

Title: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Author: Sherman Alexie
Year: 2007
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age: 8th - 12th Grade
Award(s):

• Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards: Fiction and Poetry
  
• California Young Reader Medal: Young Adult
  
• National Book Award for Young People's Literature
  
• National Book Award for Young People's Literature
  
• New York Times Notable Books - Children's Books: 2007
  
• New York Times Notable Books - Children's Books: 2007
  
• School Library Journal Best Books: 2007
  
• School Library Journal Best Books: 2007

Summary: This story is told in the first-person, from the viewpoint of Native American teenager and budding cartoonist Arnold Spirit, Jr. (better known by the nickname “Junior”). Detailing Arnold’s life on the Spokane Indian Reservation and his decision, upon encouragement from a reservation high school teacher, to go to an all-white high school in the off-reservation town of Reardan, the novel deals with issues such as racism, poverty, and the following of tradition.
“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 4 Dec 2009, 00:22 UTC. 23 Dec 2009 < http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Absolutely_True_Diary_of_a_Part-Time_Indian&oldid=329572826>.
My Thoughts: As I started reading this book, it struck me, I don’t think I have ever read a book with a Native American as the protagonist. Well, I was in for an interesting peek into a world not readily available to most. This story was full of heartache that somehow made me feel hopeful, but that seems to be an Indian theme. Junior is a 14 year old struggling to better his life without turning his back on the only world he has ever know, which is a world filled with much sorrow and many struggles. It was interesting to read about the alcohol abuse of almost every resident of the “rez” because that is a prevalent stereotype of Native Americans. I was glad the author put the positive role models of Junior’s Grandmother and mother, who can help break the stereotype, and possibly give hope to young Native Americans who read this.
The best part of the book…the cartoons. Junior is a budding cartoonist, and his drawings are either hilarious or perfectly encapsulate a beautiful moment.