The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

I first read this book 10ish years ago, before I was reviewing every book I read. I remembered it as an incredibly book about a kid living on a reservation,figuring who who is.

What I didn't remember is just how amazing this book is. Junior/Arnold needs to leave the reservation if he is going to survive. His best friend, Rowdy, at age 14, has already given up on life. His older sister graduated, than spent the next 7 year not doing anything. His folks love him dearly, but are stuck in cycle of drinking. Even the teachers at his reservation school have given up on life. When Junior throws his 30 year geometry book at his teacher, a conversation changes his whole life.

Where this book is amazing, it captures the casual racism of Arnold's show more life, without casting judgement on anyone. From the small town bigotry of small town white America - to the rampant alcoholism fueled reservation life. Its a rare author who can create understanding on both sides of a painful divide without pulling any punches. show less

I loved this book I could eat it so! I read this in one sitting at the bar. I started reading it during commercials during the Colts game but soon it became apparent that this was waay better. I literally could not put it down and devoured this in two hours. I already want to re-read it. It made me laugh out loud and snigger multiple times and also made me tear up. Junior's observations about growing up on the rez, racism, basketballs, girls, being poor, best friends, and alcoholism are revalatory. The accompanying illustrations only add to the story. This is a book I will buy and most definitely re-read. A wonderful, fascinating, and heartbreaking look at life on an Indian reservation. Partially based on the author's childhood show more experiences, you can't but help to root for this kid. A wonderful young adult novel and very deserving of the National Book Award it received. show less

Not normally drawn to Young Adult fiction, I am shocked myself I liked this as much as I did. The singular feat which Alexie pulls off so deftly in this novel is the creation of a unique, unabashed character that brings you into a rich and vivid world using different textures of information. By establishing the narrator as a ballsy cartoonist so early on it opens up the pathway for Alexie to write as if he was really a 14-year-old (I'm thinking specifically about the masturbation bit) who is hyper aware of his surroundings. Junior is blunt about alcoholism on his rez, racism at school, and complex relationships between whites and Native Americans in rural communities. If I had kids I would make them read this book with me. But I don't, show more so maybe you should? show less

Alcoholism, bullying, bigotry, racism, violence, masturbation, bulimia, obscenities – they all show up here in Sherman Alexie’s newest book, guaranteeing that it will be controversial; but yet – the book’s message is positive, funny, real, and not the least bit didactic. Reviews note that the character of Junior is somewhat autobiographical, explaining the protagonist’s honesty and believability. He is part Arnold-part Junior, part White-part Indian, part geek-part athlete, and an endearing mix of part chicken-part warrior. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel which is literally and figuratively animated by the hilarious cartoon illustrations of Ellen Forney.

I don’t know if Junior’s views on the nature of Indian life and show more reservations are widely held within the culture, but I am pleased to see that The Absolutely True Diary… won the inaugural American Indian Youth Literature Award for young adults. Knowing that the title has the blessing of those within the Indian culture is yet another reason to recommend this book. Junior’s ultimate realization that he has a rightful and natural place within many “tribes,” and that each of us must follow our own inner calling, is a fitting end to this coming-of-age novel of a “part-time Indian.” show less

Alexie nimbly blends sharp wit with unapologetic emotion in his first foray into young-adult literature.

Fourteen-year-old Junior is a cartoonist and bookworm with a violent but protective best friend Rowdy. Soon after they start freshman year, Junior boldly transfers from a school on the Spokane reservation to one in a tiny white town 22 miles away. Despite his parents’ frequent lack of gas money (they’re a “poor-ass family”), racism at school and many crushing deaths at home, he manages the year. Rowdy rejects him, feeling betrayed, and their competing basketball teams take on mammoth symbolic proportions. The reservation’s poverty and desolate alcoholism offer early mortality and broken dreams, but Junior’s knowledge that show more he must leave is rooted in love and respect for his family and the Spokane tribe. He also realizes how many other tribes he has, from “the tribe of boys who really miss . . . their best friends” to “the tribe of tortilla chips-and-salsa lovers.”

Junior’s keen cartoons sprinkle the pages as his fluid narration deftly mingles raw feeling with funny, sardonic insight. (Fiction. YA)

- Kirkus Review show less

This young adult novel about a boy who chooses to leave the reservation where he lives to attend school is in turns heartbreaking and surprisingly funny and is a must-read for teens and lovers of young adult fiction. The story is narrated by Junior, a member of the Spokane Indian tribe who decides that his best chance to improve his life is to attend a white high school. As a result, he is rejected both by the other Indians and by his white peers. Amid the challenges of reservation life and his struggle to acclimate to his new school, he joins the basketball team, but more problems arise when he is forced to play against the team from the reservation. Alexie masterfully couches his tangible anger and cutting observations about the lives show more of Native Americans in the guileless voice of a young teen, adding to the poignancy of the story. The book’s honesty can be unsettling at times, and some adults may find parts of it objectionable, but those parts are necessary. Cartoonish illustrations are integrated into the story and effectively convey meaning, often better than the text itself. The story’s themes carry through to an ending that feels satisfying, but not too neat. The dialogue feels stiff at times, but not distractingly so. Alexie has created a rare novel that is not just entertaining or educational, but important, and any public or high school library would be incomplete without it. Highly Recommended. Grades 9-12. show less

Alexie nimbly blends sharp wit with unapologetic emotion in his first foray into young-adult literature.

Fourteen-year-old Junior is a cartoonist and bookworm with a violent but protective best friend Rowdy. Soon after they start freshman year, Junior boldly transfers from a school on the Spokane reservation to one in a tiny white town 22 miles away. Despite his parents’ frequent lack of gas money (they’re a “poor-ass family”), racism at school and many crushing deaths at home, he manages the year. Rowdy rejects him, feeling betrayed, and their competing basketball teams take on mammoth symbolic proportions. The reservation’s poverty and desolate alcoholism offer early mortality and broken dreams, but Junior’s knowledge that show more he must leave is rooted in love and respect for his family and the Spokane tribe. He also realizes how many other tribes he has, from “the tribe of boys who really miss . . . their best friends” to “the tribe of tortilla chips-and-salsa lovers.”

Junior’s keen cartoons sprinkle the pages as his fluid narration deftly mingles raw feeling with funny, sardonic insight. (Fiction. YA)

-Kirkus Review show less