“The Absolutely True Diary of A Part-Time Indian” By: Sherman Alexie

ED204

“The Absolutely True Diary of A Part-Time Indian”

By: Sherman Alexie

Art By: Ellen Forney

Little Brown and Company. New York/Boston

Copy right 2007

            This was the incredibly honest and poignant story of a fourteen-year-old Native American boy who struggled with life on the reservation.  He was less than average looking with greater than average intelligence.  His journey leads him away from the reservation to an all “white” school where in the end he finds himself.  During his journey, he struggles with the failures of his family, the death of his grandmother and the loss of his best friend.  This book was clearly intended for an older audience and had a few mature moments.  Although the reading is very easy, I could see late junior- high to high school students of either gender enjoying the story.   There was a real text to self-aspect to this book.  There was something in Junior’s life that everyone could relate to in someway.  As for text to world connection, it is there if you look for it.  Even today, there are stories of Native American struggling on reservations that could be connected to this book.  I would absolutely recommend this book to a fellow teacher or older student.