By: Sherman Alexie
Published: September 12th 2007 by Little, Brown Young Readers
Source: Library
4 Stars- I really liked this book. Go pick it up
Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, 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, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings 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 thought he was destined to live.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Alexie's YA debut, released in hardcover to instant success, receiving seven starred reviews, hitting numerous bestseller lists, and winning the 2007 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.
Mundie Moms has asked us to post about or review one of our favorite banned/challenged books. I chose The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian. I chose this book, because it represents exactly why I am against book bans. This is an amazing, award winning book, and it's being pulled off shelves, because a parent didn't like the content of the book.
I get it! Some of the language is offensive, and can be viewed as racist. The main argument is because a parent doesn't want his child to know what "teenage boys do". That doesn't mean every parent feels the same way. It's natural, it's normal; banning it doesn't make it go away.
Had those few parts been left out, I don't think we would have had an honest of character, as we do with Junior. This is his diary; he shares it all, the good, the bad, and the embarrassing.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian is basically a diary of Arnold Spirit (Junior's) decision to leave his life on the reservation behind, in order to excel. Rez life isn't glamorous, you're poor, your school books are the same books your parents, grandparents used- life on the reservation is a cycle, you born there, you go to school there, you are stuck there to raise your family. For Junior, life on the reservation was worse; he was born with a disability.
Junior decides he wants to go to school at the local public school; he refuses to be stuck in the cycle. When he turns his back on the reservation, his home life only gets worse. The local public school isn't that welcoming either, and their mascot is an Indian. He is an outsider, but he doesn't let that stop him. He will go to extraordinary measures to find his place.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian is a tragically beautiful read. Junior has his ups and downs, but it's all told in a humorous way. One minute you will be crying and then in the next breath be laughing. It truly is an emotional roller coaster.
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I have this in the school library. I am tempted to print off your review and put it up by the book. Awesome, thank you
ReplyDeleteI loved this book! I reviewed it for a middle school library in Austin, TX. They weren't sure it was appropriate.... It stayed and was a hit with the very reluctant readers. (mainly 8th grade boys who were frequented detention or ISS)
ReplyDeleteBooks with an "insider" perspective are hard to come by for Native American Indians. When you through in a contemporary read (not the tee-pee days), then you add another hitch. This book is SO very important for the NAI community alone. It is truly a look into the life of a young NAI in the 21st century. Loved it!
I love that both of you have this book in your libraries!
ReplyDeleteAmber- Having read this book, I completely agree with everything you said. Thank you for spotlighting it for our Banned Book Week feature.
I loved this book. It is funny, interesting, poignant and just so darn good!
ReplyDeleteThis has been on my TBR for a while. And I'm so glad that you've covered it for Banned Book Week. I definitely am planing to read it now!!
ReplyDelete