Book Review: The absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

 


1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Alexie, S. (2009). The absolute true diary of a part-time Indian. Little, Brown & Company.

ISBN: 978-0316013697

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Junior is a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot.

Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, based on the author's own experiences and coupled with poignant drawings by Ellen Forney that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This coming-of-age book is a must-read that shines a light on a culture often underrepresented. It touches on serious topics such as brain damage and the pain he felt after his dad put his sick dog to rest because they couldn’t afford to take him to the vet. Although the author tries to lighten the book's mood with humor and cartoon illustrations, this book is actually so much more; it is very sad. This book talks about poverty, alcoholism, and bullying. When I started reading this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this book is absolutely amazing! This book is so real and contains topics that teenagers can relate to. There are a few cartoon images that are illustrated throughout the book. The illustrations are unique and help share the story and lighten the mood.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

-       2007 National Book Award Winner

-       NYPL Books for the Teen Age 2008

-       2007 PW "Off the Cuff" Awards: Favorite YA Novel

-       2007 Horn Book Fanfare Best Books of the Year

-       2007 Kirkus Reviews Best YA Books

-       2007 School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

-       2007 Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year

-       Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Winner

 

Starred review in Kirkus: "Nimbly blends sharp with unapologetic emotion....fluid narration deftly mingles raw feelings with funny, sardonic insight."

Starred review in Publisher’s Weekly: "A Native American equivalent of Angela's Ashes."

Starred review in Horns Book: "The line between dramatic monologue, verse novel, and standup comedy gets unequivocally-and hilariously and triumphantly-bent in this novel."

Starred review in School Library Journal:  "Characters...are portrayed with compassion and verve....delivers a positive message in a low-key manner."

5. CONNECTIONS

* Have students create comic strips based on the personal experiences shared in this novel.

* Engage students to conduct a research project on Native American culture and history. Have students share their final project with the class.

* Other books written by Sherman Alexie  

Alexie, S., & Morales, Y. (2016). Thunder boy jr.. Little, Brown and Company.

ISBN: 978-0316013727

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