Search - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Reviewed by Cat for TeensReadToo.com

I'll admit -- I put off reading THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN for well over a year, in favor of more "exciting" books. Boy, what a mistake I made!

Told from the perspective of thirteen-year-old Arnold Spirit, an intelligent, observant, sarcastic Indian born with encephalitis and a love of cartooning, Sherman Alexie takes us along with him as he moves away from a circumscribed, oppressive life on the Spokane reservation towards a more promising future by attending an all-white school thirty miles away.

Never one to get bogged down in sentiment or self-pity, Mr. Alexie refuses to present Arnold's friends and family as one-dimensional stereotypes, nor is the world beyond "rez" borders portrayed as the Great White Hope. Arnold's family has problems, to be sure: an alcoholic father, an enabling, codependent mother; a near shut-in older sister. But their love for each other is evident through their words and actions. And despite the ostracism and ridicule heaped upon him by former friends and other tribe members, Arnold reacts with biting wit rather than total despair.

This has to be one of the best books I've ever read in my life, so I hope everyone gives it a try.

This was a very entertaining and illuminating book. I have not read very many books about Native Americans in modern times, and this book really gives some insight as to what life is like on reservations. It also is a great coming of age story.

Junior lives on the Spokane (Washington) Indian reservation. He’s kind of a runt and is picked on by everyone on the “rez” except his best friend. Until he decides to attend the all-white school to get a better education. Then, his best friend turns on him.

He gets by through his comics and humor, living in an Indian world that no longer accepts him because he attends the all-white school (where he is a pretty good basketball player) and trying to gain acceptance at an all-white school that doesn’t want to accept him because he’s an Indian.

I loved this semi-autobiographical account of growing up in two worlds. Junior attacks his life with aplomb in some of the most trying circumstances like dealing with bullies and crushes on girls.

What a quick and amazing read. I laughed. I learned. I thought about crying. But I didn't cry. I have a rule against crying while reading teen fiction. Although this is not a book purely about basketball, it reminded me of that great story by Gary Smith about a team on an Indian reservation in Montana ... except much funnier. Sherman Alexie is a singular voice to be sure.