The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

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

The hype surrounding this book is enormous. Now I am not usually the type of person who buys into it necessarily, but I am more than willing to see what the buzz is about. Arnold "Junior" Spirit lives on a reservation with his parents and sister. Arnold is often picked on and considered an outcast among the "rez" because he was born with water on the brain, causing him health problems and brain damage. But those are the least of his issues when he chooses to leave the rez and attend an all white school twenty-two miles away. This decision makes Junior even more of an outcast, but the budding cartoonist continues on, wanting to escape the never ending circle of alcoholism and drug use the prevails among his reservation. Throughout the novel Junior deals with issues regarding death, the loss of a friendship, wanting to belong, and the desire to become something more than just a poor indian. With an original voice, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian i s a strong book about a young man breaking free from tradition. I did like this book and thought that Junior's voice was original and strong. However, I did find the book as a whole a bit simplistic in areas and strongly lacking in emotion. With the issues that are brought into Junior's life I thought I would have a better perception of him by the end of the novel, however Junior seemed to have grown little, and maintained a similar stance throughout. The book is an engaging read and I can understand the popularity of this book and Sherman Alexie as an author. This is the perfect step up for those who enjoyed The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and are now looking for a more mature, highschool aged protagonist. -- recommended by Wyatt P. - Gere Branch Library

[Also available in Audio Playaway format.]

[ publisher's official Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian web site ] | [ official Sherman Alexie web site ] 

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