Goodreads | The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Elizabeth rated it:

01/09/08

Read in December, 2007

You can credit Junior with this much; he's not a complainer. Not really. I mean, sure he was born with an enormous head, gigantic feet, crazy eyes, ten more teeth than normal, a stutter, and a lisp . . . . but hey, have you ever seen the guy's cartoons? They're great! Junior isn't the most popular kid on his reservation but he does all right. That is, until the day he snaps after finding his mother's maiden name in an old junky geometry book. Oddly, the teacher he lobs the book in the face of is...more You can credit Junior with this much; he's not a complainer. Not really. I mean, sure he was born with an enormous head, gigantic feet, crazy eyes, ten more teeth than normal, a stutter, and a lisp . . . . but hey, have you ever seen the guy's cartoons? They're great! Junior isn't the most popular kid on his reservation but he does all right. That is, until the day he snaps after finding his mother's maiden name in an old junky geometry book. Oddly, the teacher he lobs the book in the face of isn't angry. He just tells Junior in no uncertain terms that it would be in his own best interest to leave the reservation. Some way, somehow, he has to get off and make something of himself. Junior's no fool. He's perfectly aware that leaving the rez will be seen as some kind of a betrayal to his friends and neighbors, but the next thing you know he's applied to Reardan. Reardan is a rich, white school where the only Indian is the school mascot. Joining Reardan means that Junior has figure out what he wants from the world, what he needs from his family, and what he should do with his life.

As for the writing, it's top notch. This kind of subject matter requires a seemingly effortless mixture of laughter and tears. Sherman Alexie manages to deliver this, so that a funeral for Junior's grandmother is just as full of outright guffaws as it is pain and distress. Alexie also knows how to wield a delightful one-liner. "PCs are like French people living during the bubonic plague." Or about a bulimic girl who tries to cover it up the odor with gum, "She just smells like somebody vomited on a big old cinnamon tree." Finally, when Junior talks about cartooning as an art, he isn't dinking around. I enjoyed the section where he explained that "If you speak and write in English, or Spanish, or Chinese, or any other language, then only a certain percentage of human beings will get your meaning. But when you draw a picture, everybody can understand it."

Since Part-Time Indian received the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, it has gotten its own fair share of attention. This is great since I felt that cartoonist Ellen Forney clearly needs as much of it as she can get. Forney has created the cartoons that appear throughout Part-Time Indian, charged with the task of making them seem as though they are from the pen of Junior himself. Alexie reportedly requested Ms. Forney specifically for this book. She's not the first cartoonist to come to mind when you picture adolescent teen boy suffering, but credit Alexie for his insight. Somehow her unabashed sexuality and love of the funny works when you tone it down just right. She's definitely reigned in her wilder tendencies (a quick glance at her book I Love Led Zeppelin will confirm this) but she's managed to do it without stifling herself or her natural talent. Who knew she could even draw happy pegasuses and smiley clouds? Not me. I also appreciated the subtlety in some of her cartoons. At one point we look at an image of Junior's best friend Rowdy as he's reading his comic books. In the picture Junior has drawn a big angry face yelling, "What're you drawing??" with the explanation, "Rowdy . . . He hates it when I draw him! Never lets me finish." If you look at the picture carefully, though, you can see the outlines of Rowdy's real features hidden beneath the cartoony angry face.

I may as well just start lobbing this book at the heads of the teens I see entering my library. Anything to get them awake and noticing its existence. My objections are few and my praise strong and clear. A great title and well worth the hype it has been receiving. Go forth, my children, and read it all up. You'll feel better after you do.

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Emma rated it:

08/27/07

Read in August, 2007

recommends it for: everyone

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is the first book written by Sherman Alexie specifically for a young adult audience. I finished it in two days but have been holding onto my copy because I’ve been having a hard time articulating why I might love this book.

If you have read anything by Alexie, you know that he writes about life on the Spokane Indian reservation in Washingotn. In Reservation Blues Alexie described the misadventures of Thomas Builds-the-Fire and his friends ...more

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is the first book written by Sherman Alexie specifically for a young adult audience. I finished it in two days but have been holding onto my copy because I’ve been having a hard time articulating why I might love this book.

If you have read anything by Alexie, you know that he writes about life on the Spokane Indian reservation in Washingotn. In Reservation Blues Alexie described the misadventures of Thomas Builds-the-Fire and his friends as they try to start a band (and deal with the relative fame that follows). Like Reservation Blues, this novel is filled with equal parts humor and tragedy along with some memorable characters thrown in to taste. What surprised me about Diary is that it is also more biting that Reservation Blues. At times Alexie’s descriptions of white-Indian relations and life on the rez are so scathing that they’re painful to read. And yet . . . I couldn’t put the book down.

Now that you are sufficiently intrigued, let’s talk about the plot.

This story revolves around Arnold “Junior” Spirit, his family and his best friend, Rowdy. We join Arnold at the beginning of the novel at the age of 14. Born with a variety of physical ailments, Arnold is used to being picked on. He doesn’t mind, though, because he knows he has his art and his intelligence and his family. Things get complicated for Arnold when he realizes that he has to leave the reservation in order to get a good education and succeed where most of his family and friends have failed. So Arnold starts going to the all-white school in a neighboring all-white town.

As the story progresses, Arnold grapples with his decision and trying to figure out his identity in his new surroundings. With the additions of love, rivalry, and basketball Alexie has enough twists to keep the most impatient readers enthralled. The illustrations by Ellen Forney also really add to the text.

In Reservation Blues and some of his other works, Alexie brings up the issue of alcoholism and heavy drinking on the reservation. The subject comes up again here. I can’t say that I understand heavy drinking as a past time in general–it remains equally perplexing here. At the same time, Alexie aptly shows the damage that one too many bottles of . . . whatever . . . can cause, which is part of why I think this novel is really important.

But you won’t be reading this book just because I happen to think it’s important. No. I expect that you will find yourself charmed by Arnold and his unique outlook on life and opportunity. I know I did.

Like Alexie’s other writing, this book is poetic and beautiful but still razor sharp.

When I finished reading, I didn’t know what to say–so much so that I wanted to immediately re-read it. (It’s the kind of book that you can do that with.) I think that’s the best response you can have to a book: when it’s so good it leaves you speechless.
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Meg rated it:

04/22/08

bookshelves: ya

I thought for a second I'd only give this four stars but, okay. I was schooled by teachers who were for the most part trying really hard to achieve a multicultural education in Whiteland. It must have been a daunting task, right? But you would run into a teacher here or there who had his or her own Thing, like, I had a history teacher really into critical thought who totally busted out Pearl Harbor conspiracy theories. And it didn't make up my whole education so of course there are portions I ha...more I thought for a second I'd only give this four stars but, okay. I was schooled by teachers who were for the most part trying really hard to achieve a multicultural education in Whiteland. It must have been a daunting task, right? But you would run into a teacher here or there who had his or her own Thing, like, I had a history teacher really into critical thought who totally busted out Pearl Harbor conspiracy theories. And it didn't make up my whole education so of course there are portions I had to break and rebuild, but I feel like in general they were willing to give me the tools.

One thing that got harped a lot was Learning About Our Native American Friends. And basically at this point we were all claiming colorblindness, probably one of the most harmful lessons I learned. As such we were taught to approach unfamiliar cultures, and native cultures in particular, with this kind of cold, bowed reverence. Sure we had destroyed them but at least we could appreciate this amazing story about a turtle being the world!!!!

But you know what? Never and not once did I ever get a chance to really appreciate American Indians for what they were at that very moment, and that was people living in the same weather at the same time in the same state. We learned about longhouses but never about reservation economics. Here and there you would have a movie or a TV character who was of native descent, and that poor individual was forced to be kind of both wise beyond his or her years but also kind of fun loving so we knew that we were GUILTY BECAUSE OF WHAT WE HAD DONE AND WHAT WE THOUGHT OF THEM AND ALSO THEY WERE STILL THE OTHER (DANNY FROM HEY DUDE I AM LOOKING AT YOU) THE OTHER THE OTHER THE OTHER THE OTHER THE OTHER.

The other: the most awful thing we do, you guys.

So anyway, this book. It may be well-trod ground for Alexie, I kind of get that feeling (even if you've just read "What You Pawn I Will Redeem" you will immediately pick out similar elements), but as a middle-grade book I am seeing it standing alone. It's a totally real teenage guy voice, kind of dirty, kind of abrupt, kind not all that interested in the nuances of relationships and yet totally aware of how they work. Alexie doesn't solve a thing in this book, plus the good guy/bad guy thing is so muddled that it can only be true.

If I'd inhaled this book as a kid, right alongside my Roald Dahls and Judy Blumes I think I really seriously would have been better at knowing anything about the fraught modern relationship that USA USA USA USA has with its natives. And goddamn, among all the learning about the Five Nations and the screenings of sanctimonious videos, I might have actually learned something.
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Jess rated it:

11/29/07

bookshelves: high-school, mock-printz, national-book-award, sports, young-adult

Read in November, 2007

recommends it for: everyone

Okay, okay, fine, I give in.

I’ll get on the bandwagon.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is, well, made of awesome.

I kinda got on the Sherman Alexie bandwagon, as an undergrad, when all freshmen were required to read his The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven. I liked it. Put it next to Plato’s Republic and it was pretty damn exciting. But I didn’t go out and gobble up all this other books. Plus I’m not the hugest fan of short stories. But you know me, I�...more Okay, okay, fine, I give in.

I’ll get on the bandwagon.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is, well, made of awesome.

I kinda got on the Sherman Alexie bandwagon, as an undergrad, when all freshmen were required to read his The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven. I liked it. Put it next to Plato’s Republic and it was pretty damn exciting. But I didn’t go out and gobble up all this other books. Plus I’m not the hugest fan of short stories. But you know me, I’m a sucker for YA. And for YA that everyone’s been raving about. And that wins the National Book Award.

Here’s one of my favorite things about the book: almost everything that makes you laugh is also heartbreaking. This in no way makes it less funny, or less sad. It’s both, perfectly, at once. Just like the times when Junior is heartbroken but can’t. stop. laughing.

Also, Junior is a book kisser.

I grabbed my book and opened it up.
I wanted to smell it.
Heck, I wanted to kiss it.
Yes, kiss it.
That’s right, I’m a book kisser.
Maybe that’s kind of perverted or maybe it’s just romantic and highly intelligent.

While it certainly packs a punch, it’s a quick, engaging read and I think it would be equally engaging to high schoolers and adults. It’s one I could pick up and read through again, if I didn’t have so many others waiting for me.

Also, the 1 and 2 star reviews on Amazon are pretty diverting. “The protagonist is too similar to all of those annoying protagonists in young adult fiction today,” says the 1 star. Yes, they’re all so annoying aren’t they? They’re not, you know, struggling with figuring out who they are and what their place is in the world. They don’t have problems with friends or family or school or themselves. They’re simply annoying. Oh, teenagers. Both reviews pick on the Catcher in the Rye similarities, but honestly I never thought of Catcher until Junior mentioned it on his list of favorite books. Along with The Grapes of Wrath. And Feed. And Fat Kid Rules the World. And Invisible Man. And some others that I haven’t read. But really, I was more struck by the inclusion of Steinbeck and Ellison than the others - you have poverty and you have race, pretty squarely represented. Issues that are much more emphasized, I would say, than any similarities to Holden.
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Krista rated it:

04/21/08

bookshelves: young-adult-lit

Read in December, 2007

recommended to Krista by: Maryl

Fourteen year old Arnold, a.k.a. Junior, feels trapped on his remote reservation. Not only does he feel like an outcast because of his race and disabilities, but his family circumstances seem to ostracize him further: an alcoholic father who drinks away the family money, a depressed and distant mother, and an older sister who runs away with another Indian in hopes of finding romance and a "happy ending". Armed with his sharp wit and notebook of doodles (reminiscent of the instant cul...more
Fourteen year old Arnold, a.k.a. Junior, feels trapped on his remote reservation. Not only does he feel like an outcast because of his race and disabilities, but his family circumstances seem to ostracize him further: an alcoholic father who drinks away the family money, a depressed and distant mother, and an older sister who runs away with another Indian in hopes of finding romance and a "happy ending". Armed with his sharp wit and notebook of doodles (reminiscent of the instant cult classic film Napoleon Dynamite), Arnold decides to transfer to the public, all white school in the neighboring town of Reardan in hopes of finding success and a way out of the vicious cycle of "rez" life.

The tone and voice is so realistic and genuine, in comparison to many of the teens I have known throughout the years, both in my personal and professional life. Junior is a timeless character! Even as a girl, I had NO problems finding images and ideas to relate to (with the protagonist) because Alexie crafts Arnold as such a witty yet intelligent, thoughtful, and sympathetic character. The plot is definitely like a "roller coaster ride" of emotions. One minute, you will find yourself laughing so hard you're crying, then the next moment, you really are choked up and crying because of the shear tragedy of Arnold's family and circumstance. For example, the sub-storyline I could relate the most to was Arnold fighting with his best friend on the rez because his friend thinks Junior has reached "beyond his means" and trying to be someone he's not. As a teen, and even throughout my undergrad, I have found myself grappling with these same issues with friends and even close family all because I refuse to accept the status quo or to fall back into the dismal neighborhood I grew up in.

I absolutely ADORE this book and I think it's a complete shame that it did not receive any award or honor from the Printz committee. Alexie uses this quick-paced novel to make a larger socio-economic commentary on an ethnic group commonly overlooked in today's society. I would warn those in the workplace that the book has a quick (and extremely HILARIOUS!) mention of masturbation which mind offend more conservative parents/community members. However, again, this reference only aids in making the work that more realistic. Also, as I have begun to read more "boy lit", I find references to such behavior EVERYWHERE - that's just how boys (although I think it could apply to teens at large) are. Though some of the themes and events in the book are a bit emotionally heavy, I think this book works great for both middle school or high school aged teens.
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Rebecca rated it:

03/30/08

bookshelves: young-adult

Read in March, 2008

I would only give this book about 2 1/2 stars and a mild recommendation. I was told by a friend that many high schoolers are reading this book, plus, it was on my local library's "Best of 2008: Teen Fiction" list. I was so excited to read it for those reasons. In addition, I am always intrigued and interested in stories involving Native American characters. Since last year, I have read several young adult books. I am often surprised by the content of books which are marketed to te...more I would only give this book about 2 1/2 stars and a mild recommendation. I was told by a friend that many high schoolers are reading this book, plus, it was on my local library's "Best of 2008: Teen Fiction" list. I was so excited to read it for those reasons. In addition, I am always intrigued and interested in stories involving Native American characters. Since last year, I have read several young adult books. I am often surprised by the content of books which are marketed to teens. I like to know what their brains are being exposed to. I now know that I would not let my teenager read this book because of the language and because the main character, Arnold (Junior) likes to discuss how he is an expert at pleasuring himself. I quit reading both "Angela's Ashes" and "A Widow for One Year" years ago because I just hate reading about that topic! Also, there was a racist, vulgar joke in this book that left me floored. I just about stopped reading the book right there. It was an insulting joke said by a white boy to the poor "Indian" boy in the school. We all know kids are mean, but I don't want my kids getting any ideas!

I know how teens are. I know teenagers can be foul mouthed. I know that adolescence brings on feelings of sexuality, but there are too many things these days that should be unsaid and are said anyway! Some issues are better for private discussion in the home. Thank goodness for Stephenie Meyer and Shannon Hale. I don't have to be shocked when I read their books because I know they will present subject matter tastefully.

There is a good message to this book. I like how Arnold was able to overcome his obstacles. I like how he stood up for himself. Yet, it is always hard to read about what is happening to the Native American culture because of the reservations in this country. Many Native Americans are isolated, poor and struggling with alcoholism. I can appreciate what the author was presenting to our young adults. I just wish a couple things were left out. Also, I would have preferred a more eventful ending....less

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BCL rated it:

03/26/08

bookshelves: being-different, realistic-fiction

Read in December, 2007

recommends it for: Guys

A frank and honest book about an American Indian teen that is often picked on by other teens on his reservation. Join him as he takes a chance and is the first American Indian teen to go to school at a local white school, a journey that changes him forever. Funny with great drawings. Definitely for guys though.

--Victoria

"Traveling between Reardon and Wellpinit, between the little white town and the reservation, I always felt like a stranger. I was half Indian in one place and ha...more A frank and honest book about an American Indian teen that is often picked on by other teens on his reservation. Join him as he takes a chance and is the first American Indian teen to go to school at a local white school, a journey that changes him forever. Funny with great drawings. Definitely for guys though.

--Victoria

"Traveling between Reardon and Wellpinit, between the little white town and the reservation, I always felt like a stranger. I was half Indian in one place and half white in the other. It was like being an Indian was my job, but it was only a part-time job. And it didn't pay well at all."

It is this identity crisis that defines Junior, the narrator of Alexie's novel, as he navigates adolescence on an impoverished Native American reservation in the Pacific Northwest. His family life is typically dysfunctional - dad is an alcoholic (but ONLY when he gets drunk!), his sister moves to Montana with her husband following a shotgun wedding, and mom is the glue holding it all together. Junior's life becomes a LOT more interesting when he decides to begin attending the high school in a neighboring town. Although the details of his life are fairly sad, Junior brings a strong self-deprecating sense of humor that keeps the book from being a tearjerker. This is a narrator who does not need your pity! He turns to cartooning to both cope with and laugh at his situation, and the clever illustrations are sprinkled throughout. Even when things seem darkest, it can be therapeutic to have a laugh at life's little absurdities. "Absolutely True Diary..." puts a needed fresh face on coming-of-age stories - read it now!

--Ian

Okay, as the third teen librarian to toss in my two cents... I *really* liked this book! The narrative stumbles every once in a while, but Junior's straightforward leap into life and all the garbage that comes with it warmed my heart. It also felt like going home, because I lived in Spokane for several years. Ah, to be in the Inland Northwest again -- where pine trees loom tall and crazy squirrels chase you around the park!

Two thumbs up for Junior's humor, bravery, and frank explanations of life. The comics were fantastic too. This one will crack you up and make you brave.

--Courtney...less

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Abby rated it:

11/28/07

Read in November, 2007

I wanted to like this book more than I did. I loved Ellen Forney's illustrations, but I felt like the narrative only retrod ground that Sherman Alexie's been down many, many times before. Sure, he's really good at it, but I want something different now. Plus, I was not entirely convinced by the voice of the teen narrator. It felt to me like Alexie was just reworking the voices of previous characters from Reservation Blues -- the nerdy, slightly outcast Spokane Indian who loves books & baske...more I wanted to like this book more than I did. I loved Ellen Forney's illustrations, but I felt like the narrative only retrod ground that Sherman Alexie's been down many, many times before. Sure, he's really good at it, but I want something different now. Plus, I was not entirely convinced by the voice of the teen narrator. It felt to me like Alexie was just reworking the voices of previous characters from Reservation Blues -- the nerdy, slightly outcast Spokane Indian who loves books & basketball, has an angry best friend, has many drunk & depressed relatives, etc -- and adding some teen slang & angst to the mix.

There are several deaths in this novel, and they happen so quickly & abruptly that they almost feel cartoonish in a way. Alexie only gives his readers one or two scenes with the characters who die, and in most of these scenes their personalities and words are filtered through the narrator's voice. So it's difficult for the reader to really feel the impact of their loss in the narrator's life. We don't know these characters as full personalities, so we can't really grieve with the narrator or fully appreciate his grief.

Finally, there was the gratuitous use of a homophobic slur in an exchange between the main character & his best friend. Alexie even acknowledges that it's problematic to use these words, writing "Now that might just sound like a series of homophobic insults, but I think it was also a little bit friendly. ." I found this acknowledgment silly, out of character, and even a little bit offensive. The characters are not queer, so it's not as though they were reclaiming the words to use with each other. Alexie knows it's not kosher to use those terms unless you belong to that group yourself, so he tries to get away with it by having the character show some awareness that it's not okay. But in the end, he's simply validating the use of hateful terms. Either make your character a homophobe (or at least someone who's naive about the meaning of those terms) or make him someone who understands how hurtful those words can be and refuses to use them. But don't write a two-page chapter that ends with the main straight character calling himself "a happy faggot." Just don't do it. ...less

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Scooter rated it:

12/17/07

bookshelves: teen-books

Read in November, 2007

The hero of this story is Arnold Spirit. His name is a perfect combination of nerd and Native, which is exactly what he is. He lives on the reservation, loves Native American ceremonies, honors his heritage, but also loves comic books, is mercilessly bullied at school, and wants to be a cartoonist when he grows up.

His hopes and dreams set him apart from most of his peers, who don’t want or expect much from life. He’s encouraged by a teacher to go the school in town, where the only other...more The hero of this story is Arnold Spirit. His name is a perfect combination of nerd and Native, which is exactly what he is. He lives on the reservation, loves Native American ceremonies, honors his heritage, but also loves comic books, is mercilessly bullied at school, and wants to be a cartoonist when he grows up.

His hopes and dreams set him apart from most of his peers, who don’t want or expect much from life. He’s encouraged by a teacher to go the school in town, where the only other Native American is the mascot — they have better facilities, better books, and better teachers, but more importantly they have other kids with hopes and dreams. This small step forward is seen as treason by his friends back home, and Arnold soon finds himself as a ghost going back and forth between a world where he isn’t welcome, and a world that doesn’t want him anymore.

It’s an incomprehensible sacrifice for a kid who just wants to draw funny pictures.

The most painful part of this supposed treachery is losing his best friend, Rowdy. Arnold makes new friends in time: Roger, whose early racist jokes hide a genuine good nature; Gordon, a brilliant kid who is alternately annoying know-it-all and preternaturally wise; and the beautiful Penelope, who becomes Arnold’s sort-of girlfriend, and from whom he finds out that even the kids at the white school think of their home as a place to escape. As Arnold slowly becomes part of their world, he feels less and less a part of the world he came from, especially as that world seems to be disintegrate in his absence.

I feel like my synopsis doesn’t do it justice. This isn’t an after school special where it’s revealed that we’re all the same underneath our skins. The fact is that we’re not, and Alexie doesn’t gloss over that truth, any more than he glosses over truths about life on the reservations. What the book does reveal is that people are bigger than their stereotypes, if they want to be, and that people can be amazing (to paraphrase) if you let them into your life, and they let you into theirs.

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Molly rated it:

03/01/08

Read in February, 2008

Although this latest Sherman Alexie book is written from the first-person perspective of a high-school-aged boy who is a misfit growing up on an Indian (Native American) reservation, I didn't realize that it's a YA novel until about 1/3 of the way through. It doesn't exactly matter that it's a YA novel, except that I think YA novels can get away with more (read: repeated language, dumbed-down ideas) than adult literature can. I found myself giving Alexie the benefit of the doubt when his young p...more

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Susan rated it:

03/28/08

bookshelves: juvenile, young-adult

Read in March, 2008

recommends it for: fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and really...everybody

Alexie tells a very compelling, funny, and moving story and his main character is about as close as you can get to the ultimate underdog. This is a kid who has been faced with one battle after another since his birth, surrounded by more than anyone's fair share of tragedy and injustice, but who keeps finding a way to get back on his feet and keep going nevertheless. A description like that might normally send up some red flags but you won't find a shred of pretentiousness or mawkishness here. T...more Alexie tells a very compelling, funny, and moving story and his main character is about as close as you can get to the ultimate underdog. This is a kid who has been faced with one battle after another since his birth, surrounded by more than anyone's fair share of tragedy and injustice, but who keeps finding a way to get back on his feet and keep going nevertheless. A description like that might normally send up some red flags but you won't find a shred of pretentiousness or mawkishness here. There are plenty of valuable lessons you could pull out of this of course, but the book and its characters are simply and thoroughly entertaining and interesting. The voice is brutally honest, sometimes irreverent, and angry, or frustrated, but most of all real--and never preachy. That's what propels the entire thing, and what will keep kids connecting and enjoying this book for some time to come, reluctant readers and voracious readers equally. Ellen Forney's cartoon-style illustrations (the main character is an artist/cartoonist) aren't a bad touch either and perfectly fit with the mood of the book and the voice of the protagonist.

Needless to say, Alexie's novel has a lot to say about prejudice, but just as much to say about the importance of personal responsibility, and for this and many other reasons, it should be a must-read in schools. There are a smattering of incidental references to masturbation (I mean, we're dealing with a teenage boy here) which will unfortunately probably give some teachers pause, but I hope they give it another consideration. If they don't they would be doing a disservice as they'd be missing out on a huge opportunity to give kids access to some really important messages and thought-provoking issues while also introducing them to a book that might just make them enjoy reading. At the end of the day, these teachers can take comfort that they can always fall back on the fact that this book was (absolutely deservedly) a winner of the National Book Award. Boo ya. ...less

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Sue Mac rated it:

12/10/07

bookshelves: youngadult-fiction

Read in December, 2007

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is Sherman Alexie's fifth novel and his first for teen readers. It chronicles Arnold "Junior" Sprit's freshman year of high school. Junior, after the first day of ninth grade, decides to leave the reservation school and attend a local public high school where he is the only non-white student. Semiautobiographical, Alexie explores themes of identity, community, death, and life.

Born with a myriad of health problems, Junior finds lif...more

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Shelley rated it:

05/03/08

Read in April, 2008

recommended to Shelley by: NPR
recommends it for: everyone

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

It’s been awhile since a book has made me laugh out loud – but I was snickering and giggling while reading this on the bus. Not only is the book hilariously witty and funny, but it’s heart-breaking as well. I found myself tearing up and at times out-right crying. It’s amazing how much humor can be brought to such a tale. It should have been depressing and demoralizing… instead it’s heart-warming and uplifting.

This book tells the story of a creative and smart young teenage boy, ...more

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Atrebs rated it:

02/03/08

Read in February, 2008

recommends it for: fans of YA Fiction

Having been to Spokane my whole life and even having been on the reservation (of sorts... to the casino), I'm intrigued. It's hilarious, heartbreaking, and the references to locations like Sacred Heart Hospital, the River, etc. are creating quite a visual setting for me. I read The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven a long time ago. I was just discussing the books with my mom and she had said she hated the Lone Ranger book because he was so angry and it was depressing to hear...more

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Brandy rated it:

12/11/07

bookshelves: 2007reads, bildungsroman, teen

Read in December, 2007

This could be every book written about the Indian experience--the poverty, the problems, the culture. And it could be every book ever written about wanting to fit in at a new school. But combined, there's no other book this could be.

Junior (actually Arnold Spirit, Jr.) is already something of a stand-out on the reservation, and unfortunately it's not in the good way. Born with hydrocephalus, he had brain surgery early on and a seizure disorder in childhood. He's a nerd who gets beaten up...more

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Dawn rated it:

03/16/08

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in February, 2008

As in his previous novels, humor is the primary weapon Alexie's characters use to combat the trials and tribulations of reservation life. The male protagonist, Arnold "Junior" Spirit lives on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Junior was born with hydrocephalus, and combined with his stutter, his lisp, and his "goofy" physical appearance, he is a favorite target among the school bullies. He often stays in his room and creates cartoons, his "tiny little lifeboats" in...more

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nicole rated it:

11/17/07

bookshelves: teen

Read in November, 2007

recommends it for: Todd. That's who.

Not quite as WOW as I thought it would be (given all the five star reviews), but then again I've always cared more about style than plot, and the all too frequent use of the word "yep" irked me every. single. time. Yep. Yep. Yep. SHUT UP, DUCKY.

But overall, yeah, a good story. Believable, and (toward the end) eye-opening. I liked the bit about Indians being nomads, how leaving the reservation is the nomadic, Indian thing to do. Go where you can live and all that. It's...more

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Corinne rated it:

02/10/08

bookshelves: expanding-your-horizons-challenge

Read in February, 2008

There is much to like in this book. Junior is such a mix of weakness and strength - caught between two different worlds, both culturally and mentally. I appreciated his struggles and honest words about living on a reservation and the vices that can stifle his people. But you also get a sense that, as much as his Indian Family frustrates him and angers him, there is truly a feeling of solidarity and community that he recognizes and sorely misses once he chooses to leave. I felt like the line on p...more

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Luis rated it:

11/01/07

Read in September, 2007

recommends it for: Everyone

This is one of the books that was literally sitting in front of my face at the bookstore. Somehow after being in that section three times it jumped off the shelf into my hands. Somehow though the book sat on the shelf in front of me it became visible on my third try. Maybe like some books its true form and beauty may be better on its third reading. That's beside the point on its first read it was absolutely amazing and true to Alexie form I laughed and wanted to cry all at the same time. In all ...more

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Tessa rated it:

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

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