The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian

Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2009. ISBN 978-03-16013-69-7

Plot

Arnold Spirit, aka Junior, is small, bullied, and had hydrocephalus as an infant. He and his friend/protector Rowdy love to play basketball. They are both pretty good players. They rely on one another for support that their families have difficulty providing as they face death, alcoholism, poor educational opportunity, and poverty. Arnold draws pictures that reflect what is happening in his life and in his mind. A difficult encounter with a teacher at school gives Arnold the motivation he needs to transfer to a high school off the reservation in the neighboring white town of Reardon. There he becomes friends with a few and a curiosity for most of his classmates. He excels in basketball. His coach even suggests he will make a great college player. A major confrontation between Arnold and Rowdy, angry over his friend's desertion, and between Arnold and his own identity ensue.

Critical Evaluation

Junior's story is told candidly. It is painfully honest and true. The language sounds like the things a young teen would say, and the thoughts Junior expresses through his writing and drawing are heartbreakingly sad and funny at the same time. The exchanges between Junior and Rowdy are especially moving. They are real friends who are growing up together, and the changes they experience are emotionally charged resulting in confrontations that are hard to forget.

Annotations

Junior leaves the reservation for a better education in a nearby town, only to find that he faces as many challenges there as he does at home. He ultimately finds a way to live in his own world and in his own skin.

Author

Sherman Alexie's life was the inspiration for this novel. Like Junior, he suffered from seizures as a child and faced great challenges as he grew up on a reservation in Washington.

Genre

Fiction

Curriculum Ties

Social Science – Geography, Native American history

Booktalk Ideas

Read the first few pages of the book aloud. They are gripping. Then review a few of the illustrations in the book and describe why Junior drew them.

Reading Level/Interest Age

Grade 6 (age 12) and up.

Challenge Issues and Defense

Harsh language and explicit depiction of bullying, fighting, alcoholism, racism, poverty, and death.

National Book Award winner.

Why is it here?

I read it in one day. I could not put it down.