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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Sherman Alexie,

Ellen Forney (Illustrator)

Start date: February 9, 2015

Finish date: February 10, 2015

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Jul 07, 2014 Robyn rated it liked it

Shelves: comedy-or-satire, audience-ya, audience-kids, fiction-general

Junior Spirit was born on a Spokane reservation, near-sighted with brain damage and a lisp. As far as Junior is concerned, he was born with the odds stacked against him, destined to live and die a loser without achieving anything important. But despite this, Junior has hope. He loves to learn and draw, and hopes that these skills will help him get out of the reservation and take control of his destiny. When Junior reaches high school, he makes the decision to transfer out of the reservation scho Junior Spirit was born on a Spokane reservation, near-sighted with brain damage and a lisp. As far as Junior is concerned, he was born with the odds stacked against him, destined to live and die a loser without achieving anything important. But despite this, Junior has hope. He loves to learn and draw, and hopes that these skills will help him get out of the reservation and take control of his destiny. When Junior reaches high school, he makes the decision to transfer out of the reservation school, into a nearby public (and nearly all-white) school. This decision leaves him an outcast in both his new school, where he is viewed as a foreigner, and in his home-town, where he is viewed as a traitor. Armed with a pencil for drawing and unshakable faith in his dreams, Junior navigates the hardships of both worlds and the difficulties of growing up with wit, humor, and bravery.

I've heard a lot about this book and it's been on my "to-read" list for a long time. I'm glad I finally took the time to read it because it was amazing. It's very rare for a book to be hilarious and heart-wrenching at the same time. Sherman Alexie brings Junior to life in one of the most realistic renderings of a teenager I have come across. He does not shy away from using the language a typical teen would use, which means this book is definitely not recommended for younger readers. Junior swears, talks about sex and violence, and uses derogatory terms to refer to himself and others. But this language truly brings Junior to life and makes his story all the more powerful.

Junior has to deal with the realities of alcoholism and violence in his community, but he always finds solace in his drawings and uses humor to heal the pain. With an unswerving refusal to become another victim of circumstance, Junior's actions and determination can serve as inspiration for teens who may be witness to the same difficulties.

Audiobook: Sherman Alexie narrates the audio himself and it is brilliant. His reading captures the complexities of Junior's contradictory nature; both self-deprecating and proud. Hearing Alexie discuss Junior's life from a first-person viewpoint makes the story even more heart-wrenching.

Parents: View the Common Sense Media Review ...more

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Apr 28, 2015 Stacey rated it liked it · review of another edition

I was looking for a bit of a lighter read, but this wasn't it. While there was plenty of laughter there were also heavy issues addressed. A quick read, if not exactly what I had in mind. Junior, an Indian on the rez, is prompted to leave the rez, in search of hope. An outcast in both places he finds the good and the bad along the way. ...more

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Feb 04, 2008 jenn rated it it was amazing

Jan 01, 2008 Kathy rated it it was amazing

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