The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

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I absolutely, truly enjoyed this book. Alexie's partly autobiographical novel that relays the experiences of a teenage boy is so genuine and honest it is impossible to dislike.

The first-person style of the book makes it easy to dive into the reading. You really do feel as though you are reading someone’s journal and it makes you feel that much closer to the main character, Arnold or “Junior” Spirit. You know a book has been written well when you feel as though you know the characters well enough to care about what happens to them. And Arnold is hilarious. You will laugh out loud at least once.

Additionally, I will always enjoy a book that includes cartoons because sometimes words cannot express every feeling we are trying to evoke. Arnold’s drawings make this book much more real because I can relate to it. We all doodle and draw and make diagrams in order to express things more fully. It was wonderful to see an author do the same. Arnold explains his reason for drawing pictures: “when you draw a picture, everybody can understand it. If I draw a cartoon of a flower, then every man, woman, and child in the world can look at it and say, ‘That’s a flower’” (5).

Not only is the book genuine, candid, funny, and artistic, but it is also open minded. The book brings up issues of race, sexuality, culture, group association, family structures, alcohol use and abuse, legacy and self-fulfilling prophecies, and relationships. By deciding to leave the rez for school, Arnold has made the decision to grow up extremely fast and is not afraid to talk about how scary and overwhelming this can be. Arnold understands the challenge he is facing and knows what kind of ridicule he will face, but HE DOES IT ANYWAY. This is so courageous. I found myself asking, “Would I have the guts to do this? How would I react if my family and friends were harassing me for following my heart? Would I be able to stand the (metaphorical and literal) ‘boos’?” He is conscious of the weightiness of his decision. One of the questions he asks that I might pose to my students (and colleagues!) is: “Should a teenager be worried about his fricking legacy anyway?”

The race issues addressed in this book include very specific references to White teachers teaching at the all Indian school on the reservation. This is extremely powerful because it is the first time that Arnold is exposed to the racist nature of the reservation and is (rightfully) outraged by it. This conversation ultimately leads to his decision to leave the rez and attend school elsewhere. Difficult topics like this are what makes this book so important and memorable.

This is an important, enjoyable, honest read that I would recommend for any reader. The insight Alexie gives the reader is incredible and eye-opening. This book poses though-provoking, discussion-creating questions that I think everyone should be exposed to. This book allows its reader to begin to formulate an understanding of the meaning of belonging…something to which we can all easily relate. Happy reading!