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

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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/693208.The_Absolutely_True_Diary_of_a_Part_Time_Indian?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=blog_review" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" border="0" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/photo.goodreads.com/books/1195142096m/693208.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/693208.The_Absolutely_True_Diary_of_a_Part_Time_Indian?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4174.Sherman_Alexie">Sherman Alexie</a> 
 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/14051069?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><h3>My review</h3></a>
 rating: 5 of 5 stars 
 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.
 
 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/260586?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.</a>

Krista's review
rating:
bookshelves: young-adult-lit

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 prota...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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