The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, Sherman Alexie

[Misty]

April wrote: "Tahleen wrote: "The sad thing is, that IS their life."

True story, last night I got pretty bored and started blog-jumping and I wound up on the blog of some lady prattling on about banning some TT..."

TTYL was on the ALA's top ten Banned/Challenged list for a few years. Might still be on it. We read from it at the readathon (which is interesting, reading in IM).

[Lydia]

It sounds to me like Banned Books would be an excellent discussion folder for this group. My daughters presented me with an "I Read Banned Books" pin last year. They were so proud of the fact that their mother had encouraged them to read most on the ALA list. There are also BB for specific states and school districts.

If you ever get a chance to hear Alexie speak, please do! He's pretty awesome as is Junot Diaz.

[A.]

I just heard Alexie speak last week at a writer's conference. My mom and I were so impressed with him that we immediately bought the book. My mom read it, I read it and she has made it mandatory reading for my two teenage brothers (16 and 15).

Yes, he talks about masturbation (briefly) but there is no explicit sex. The book is an inspirational tale of a boy overcoming many obstacles and triumphing. It makes you laugh and cry and you love the characters, flaws and all. Kind of like real life!

[Kandice]

I just got this book on audio. I plan on looking at a copy at Barnes&Noble (very, very carefully) for the illustrations, but really like hearing an author read their own work.

The convo this book has jump started regarding censorship is awesome. I have three children that are readers and do not believe in censorship. That being said, I think parents should READ what their children are reading so they can be prepared for questions or able to initiate a discussion themsleves if something in a book bothers them. Books are a teaching tool, but like all tools, require a bit of work from the wielder!

[Misty]

You're going? Jealous.

[Jennifer]

I had this book in my TBR pile since August 2009 and I just got to it (I know shame on me). But I'm glad I finally picked it up. All of my professors this year recommended this book to me since they know I love YA.

This book was so good and funny and honest. I couldn't put it down and I'll recommend this book to others. I'll probably pick it up for my cousin's teenage kid. I think he would enjoy it, too : )

[Karis]

I just loved this book. I grew up very close to a reservation and had no idea. I mean, we all knew that they were poor and that everyone went to The Rez to get tax-free gas and cigarettes, but that was the extent of what we knew of the people who lived there. I'm kind of ashamed of myself and my community for not paying more mind, to be honest. Junior was such a great character in that he really worked to overcome the prejudices on both sides. I can't imagine pushing through that just to get a decent education and a better life. I think this book is a much more valuable lesson to students that constantly rehashing Native American history and the story of Thanksgiving year after year after year. Maybe students would have a better understanding of what was taken from these people if they understood what it means to be Native American in today's world....

[Todd]

Sherman Alexie is a genius. His books are brilliant and this is my favorite of all he's done. I grew up on a reservation in South Dakota and, while this story takes place in the Pacific Northwest, I can tell you that it really is all true.

If you're into movies, check out Sherman Alexie's Smoke Signals. It's great.