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My nearly-12-year-old read this on my recommendation, and this is what he said:
"I never read a book about Native Americans before, or living on a reservation. I didn't know that alcoholism killed so many people. And I never read about masturbation before."
I am so pleased to hear my son say the word "masturbation" to me without flinching, and that his first exposure was through Sherman Alexie. I am so pleased to hear him acknowledge that books expose him to new perspectives. That five-minute conv ...more
"I never read a book about Native Americans before, or living on a reservation. I didn't know that alcoholism killed so many people. And I never read about masturbation before."
I am so pleased to hear my son say the word "masturbation" to me without flinching, and that his first exposure was through Sherman Alexie. I am so pleased to hear him acknowledge that books expose him to new perspectives. That five-minute conv ...more
A brief account of (read in one sitting today) a junior high Indian whose life starts with debilitating physical problems which don't amount to much of anything compared with life on "the rez." Cautioned by several to leave the reservation, Arnold Spirit, Jr. does get to transfer from the rez school to another, but how does that affect his life? Really sad to hear that this young man has attended 45 funerals - mostly because of alcohol-related reasons.
Read by the author with appropriate enthusia ...more
Read by the author with appropriate enthusia ...more
Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. Funny, self-deprecating, poignant, heart-warming, uplifting, sad, beautifully-written. And amazing and hilarious illustrations by Ellen Forney.
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"I suddenly understood that if every moment of a book should be taken seriously, then every moment of a life should be taken seriously as well." (95)
"'The world, even the smallest parts of it, is filled with things you don't know.'" (97)
"'it's like each of these books is a mystery. Every b ...more
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"I suddenly understood that if every moment of a book should be taken seriously, then every moment of a life should be taken seriously as well." (95)
"'The world, even the smallest parts of it, is filled with things you don't know.'" (97)
"'it's like each of these books is a mystery. Every b ...more
I needed to be a bit patient with this book. My first browse through I became concerned that here was some guy who happend to be an American Indian who cracked wise, makng fun of poor disenfranchised Indians. Then, as I took a closer look I saw that there was more to this book. It had something to say about the sometime awkward moments of acme, dating, atheletic prowess, peer pressure and the ilk of freshman year in high school. I would especially recommend it for eighth graders and anyone who i
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I don't know about youth being wasted on the young but this "young adult" prize winner sure is. It may be billed as a "coming of age" story but the emotions and situations prompting them occur over and over in life. I'm ashamed to admit that I'd never read Alexie (although I did see the movie) so I was unprepared for the reality that the title is true. I checked out a biography page online after finishing the book and was amazed to find out that it really is his story. Poignant, deeply moving &
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I read this a couple of years ago, and was just reminded of it. I adored this book. A story about changing and letting go to become who you are... I wept like a baby. You know how every once in a while a book just "speaks" to you? Poignant, touching, and hilarious. The funniest book I ever cried through, or the saddest book that ever made me laugh. Highly recommended.
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Finally! I read a little young adult literature that didn't make me want to retch in my bathroom. And it's not surprising to me that it comes from Sherman Alexie.
This book has excellent "voice." It's funny and endearing. There were parts where I laughed out loud, gasped in surprise, and wanted to cry (but I didn't). And Alexie did it in just 230 pages. There are some wordier authors *ahmen-StephenieMeyer-ahem* that need to take a lesson in this. I think that all theme and issues in this book wer ...more
This book has excellent "voice." It's funny and endearing. There were parts where I laughed out loud, gasped in surprise, and wanted to cry (but I didn't). And Alexie did it in just 230 pages. There are some wordier authors *ahmen-StephenieMeyer-ahem* that need to take a lesson in this. I think that all theme and issues in this book wer ...more
Fantastic read - would recommend to any age group
Another good tale from Sherman Alexie. Still nothing here beats the Lone Ranger and Tonto. Nice to see this writer address a YA audience - although his work can be relevant to all ages.
Read the Dueling Librarians review of this great book!
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Nov 23, 2011
Deedee
marked it as to-read
Lexile 600L
IL: UG - BL: 4.0 - AR Pts: 6.0
IL: UG - BL: 4.0 - AR Pts: 6.0
Nov 21, 2008
Dinh
marked it as to-read
May 25, 2009
Diana
marked it as to-read
Jun 14, 2009
Angela Chaos
marked it as to-read
Jan 08, 2010
Karla Keffer
marked it as to-read
Apr 13, 2011
Erin
marked it as to-read
Jan 22, 2012
Stephanie
marked it as to-read
Jul 09, 2013
Esti
marked it as to-read
Aug 22, 2013
Ellen
marked it as to-read
Sep 09, 2013
Rodney Ulyate
marked it as to-read
Apr 29, 2014
Jessica
marked it as to-read
