The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Reviewed by: Laura Warren, Reference Assistant
Genre: Real Life Fiction
Suggested Age: Teens and adults
What is the book about?: Arnold Spirit, or Junior as we come to know him, is a 14 year old boy with an extensive list of medical issues. Born with water on the brain, these issues have plagued him since he was an infant. Junior is being raised on the Spokane Indian Reservation by a family who constantly struggles with poverty, addiction, and racism. In his first week of high school, Junior is suspended for throwing his geometry book, out of frustration with the school and their resources, accidentally smashing his teacher’s nose. Junior then makes the biggest and bravest decision he has ever had to make. He decides to attend Reardan High School, a school with many well to do students, a school where he and the school mascot are the only Indians in attendance. This school is a whole new world. How will these worlds work when they seem to be at war with each other? How will Junior deal with grades, crushes, and basketball, while struggling just to make it to school each day?
My review: The list of awards this work has been awarded is quite lengthy, and it deserves each and every one. National Book Award, New York Times Notable Book, and Publishers Weekly Book of the Year are just a few awards this book has been honored with. I was originally introduced to this book in an American Indian history class. Not only is this book an amazing coming of age story, which takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, it is also an amazing window, into American Indian reservation life and the struggles many people face daily. Through story, this book helps us to understand the personal conflict many American Indians go through trying to find their way in America today. Junior feels like an outsider in the western world, but by choosing to attend school in the western world, he also feels like an outsider in the American Indian world. If this conflict isn’t enough, Junior also has to deal with the day to day trauma that can be high school, including first loves, high school sports, and tragedy at home. Alexie skillfully illustrates important cultural and personal issues, all the while making us fall in love with Junior, as a character. This book is a great tool to engage people emotionally while also discussing important social issues. Sherman Alexie is an incredible story teller as well as an advocate for American Indians. This book includes a great story as well as a thoughtful look at American Indian life today.
Rating: 5/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!