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

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Alexie, Sherman. 2007. Illustrated by Ellen Forney. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York, NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-0316013680

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

A young Native American high school student decides that his best way to escape the poverty of the Spokane reservation is to transfer to the nearby school, which consists of solely Caucasian students.  His decision to further his education off of the reservations causes much strife with his long-time friends and family. The normal teen angst experienced by the average teenage boy is amplified when adding the challenge of the new school and new friends. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Award-winning author, Sherman Alexie, shares his story of growing up on the reservation in Wellpinit, Washington.  There is a certain depth to the book that is only possible due to the personal background of Alexie.  While the book is not completely autobiographical, the book is loosely based on Alexie’s experiences.  This distinction helps alleviate any of the perceived stereotypes that occur throughout the book. The reoccurring themes of alcoholism and poverty are present, yet are addressed in a matter-of-fact manner, which lacks any sense of stereotypical judgment.

One of the strengths of the book is its ability to balance the differences in the socioeconomic statuses of the various characters.  The reader does not walk away with the impression that higher incomes and financial stability equals good citizenship or better morality.  As a result of this, the diversity of the characters is celebrated.

The various roles of the men and the women on the reservation compare and contrast well with the roles of the men and women off of the reservation.  The reader can easily envision the various settings; even readers who have never been to a reservation can conceptualize the various details described by Alexie. One of the most telling phrases in the book is when Arnold states, “I’m 14 years old, and I’ve been to 42 funerals.” This one sentence, and enormity of the number, completely summarizes the different experiences between the people who grow up on a reservation and those who do not.

This was Alexie’s first foray into writing for young adults and it is an outstanding first attempt.  Few authors will ever be able to produce a novel that so adeptly address the challenges faced by Native American youth.  The novel perfectly balances the teen angst experienced by all teens and the challenges that are unique to youth who live on reservations.

4.  REVIEW EXCERPTS 

• National Book Awards - Won 2007
• Pacific Northwest Bookseller Awards - Won 2008
• Los Angeles Times Book Award - Nominated 2007
• Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books - Won 2007
• Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year - Won 2007
• Boston Globe Horn Book Awards - Won 2008
• California Young Reader Medal - Won 2010
• Garden State Teen Book Award - Nominated 2010
• South Carolina (SCASL) Book Award - Nominated 2009
• Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominated 2010
• Volunteer State Book Award - Nominated 2009
• Great Lakes' Great Books Award - Won 2008
• School Library Journal Best Books of the Year - Won 2007
• Washington State Book Award - Won 2008

Starred Review from Horn Book: "The line between dramatic monologue, verse novel, and standup comedy gets unequivocally — and hilariously and triumphantly..."

Starred Review from Kirkus: "...keen cartoons sprinkle the pages as his fluid narration deftly mingles raw feeling with funny, sardonic insight."

Starred Review from Publishers Weekly: "...a coming-of-age story so well observed that its very rootedness in one specific culture is also what lends it universality, and so emotionally honest that the humor almost always proves painful."

Starred Review from School Library Journal: "Reluctant readers can even skim the pictures and construct their own story based exclusively on Forney's illustrations."

Review from Booklist: "Alexie’s humor and prose are easygoing and well suited to his young audience, and he doesn’t pull many punches as he levels his eye at stereotypes both warranted and inapt. A few of the plotlines fade to gray by the end, but this ultimately affirms the incredible power of best friends to hurt and heal in equal measure. Younger teens looking for the strength to lift themselves out of rough situations would do well to start here."

Review from Los Angeles Times: "...it takes a master's hand to transform sociological issues into a page turner that resonates with adolescent readers. Few writers are more masterful than Sherman Alexie."

5.  CONNECTIONS

*Other books by Sherman Alexie

Blasphemy: New and Selected Stories.  ISBN 978-0802121752
War Dances. ISBN 978-0802144898
The Business of Fancy Dancing: Stories and Poems.  ISBN 978-0914610007

*Website for Sherman Alexie
http://fallsapart.com

The Story of the Milky Way by Joseph Bruchac

The Story of the Milky Way: A Cherokee Tale

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bruchac, Joseph and Gayle Ross. 1995. Illustrated by Virginia A. Stroud. The Story of the Milky Way: A Cherokee Tale. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0-8037-1738-5

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

The creation of the Milky Way is shared in this written version of a Cherokee folktale.  When an elderly couple discovers their cornmeal is disappearing, their grandson is determined to find the culprit.  His discovery of a light source shaped like a great spirit dog prompts the people in the village to gather the drums so the spirit dog will be chased away.  The noise frightens the spirit and he jumps into the sky and scatters the cornmeal, which turns into the stars of the Milky Way.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The prolific author, Joseph Bruchac, and Gayle Ross pen a Cherokee folktale that has many versions published in different collections. The words flow in a manner that is easy to read out loud to young preschool listeners.  These younger readers can also relate to the brave young grandson who wants to help his grandparents.

One of the strengths of this folktale is the leadership provided by the Beloved Woman and her ability to prompt the cooperation of the entire village in scaring the spirit away. In addition, the mention of culturally significant artifacts such as drums and turtleshell rattles augments the authenticity of the tale told from the Cherokee cultural perspective.

Virginia A. Stroud utilizes acrylic paint on Museum Rag paper to depict the Cherokee village in a manner consistent with the early 1800’s.  While it is difficult to determine if such brightly colored fabric would have been available during this time period, Stroud may have chosen this color scheme to attract the attention of young readers.  One of the greatest shortcomings of the painted illustrations is the skin tone of the Cherokee villagers; all of the villagers exhibited a pale pink skin tone that clearly mismatches the racial background of the Cherokee people.  This obvious oversight detracts from the story and unfortunately dissociates the story from its Cherokee heritage.

While the story itself is well written and loyal to the Cherokee folktale, the illustrations are distracting and diminish the cultural legitimacy of the picture book. Bruchac has many other books that contain more culturally relevant illustrations. Readers wanting to read a Cherokee folktale may want to choose his book, The First Strawberries, to obtain a book that fully represents the Cherokee culture.

4.  REVIEW EXCERPTS 

• Scientific American Children's Book Award

Review from Horn Book: "Stroud illustrates this gracefully told tale with her trademark acrylic paintings full of the rich blues of the night and the vivid greens of the fields." 

Review from Kirkus: "A charming look at the time when the world was new...A simple, well-phrased text introduces ideas of respect for elders, cooperation, and reverance for the spirit world, without ever veering from the storyline."

Review from Booklist: "Beautifully illustrated in Cherokee-Creek artist Stroud's signature style, this charming retelling of a traditional Cherokee legend will appeal to listeners young and old."

Review from Publishers Weekly: "With lyric simplicity this retelling of a Cherokee folktale posits an explanation for the origin of the Milky Way, at the same time stressing the merits of communal labor.."

Review from School Library Journal: "The acrylic illustrations depict stylized figures and resemble fabric art...the colors and textures heighten the applique effect, especially the sprigged calicoes worn by the women. The text and illustrations work well together, and the layout makes the book an especially good choice for story time."


5.  CONNECTIONS

*Other books by Joseph Bruchac

Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back.  ISBN 978-0698115842
Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving.  ISBN 978-0152060442
The First Strawberries.  ISBN 978-0140564099

*Other books by Gayle Ross
The Girl Who Married the Moon: Tales from Native North America. ISBN 978-1555915667
How Rabbit Tricker Otter: And Other Cherokee Trickster Stories.  ISBN 978-0060212858
The Legend of Windigo: A Tale from Native North America.  ISBN 978-0803718975

*Other books written and illustrated by Virginia A. Stroud

Don't Fall Off His Horse.  ISBN 978-1936495016
A Walk to the Great Mystery: A Cherokee Tale.  ISBN 978-0803716360

The Path of the Quiet Elk: A Native American Alphabet Book.  ISBN 978-0803717176

*Website for Joseph Bruchac

http://josephbruchac.com 

Sees Behind Trees by Michael Dorris

Sees Behind Trees 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY


Dorris, Michael. 1996. Sees Behind Trees. New York, NY: Hyperion Paperbacks for Children. ISBN 978-078681357-5


2.  PLOT SUMMARY

A young nearsighted Native American boy struggles to find his way in his village.  His agony is evident as he attempts to reach adulthood in the traditional ways of mastering the use of a bow and arrow.  When he discovers that his other senses are remarkably developed and can also be considered personal strengths, he is able to forge his way and create a path to adulthood that is dangerous, challenging, and rewarding.



3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This brief story accurately addresses the challenges faced by a nearsighted young person in the 16^th century.  These challenges are even more pronounced when the young person, Walnut, is a young Native American boy who depends on faultless sight to complete the tasks needed to fully journey into adulthood.

There are many passages and phrases that provide a consistent depiction of clothing and other markers indicative of the Native American culture in the 16^th century.  For example, “his new cape, woven tightly from reeds” is an excellent phrase that demonstrates the type of clothing and its material.  An additional example is, ‘He smelled of smoke and venison and damp fur…” adeptly illustrates the various scents experienced by indigenous people who lived during this time period. The lyrical descriptions present throughout the book allow the reader to fully envision the setting.

Michael Dorris has created a story that is rich in culturally authentic details. While it is clear that the story is a coming of age story set in a Native American Village, the lessons that Walnut learns about himself and about his limitations are comparable to the lessons learned by modern day young people.  This is a truly extraordinary story, which will engage readers who have reached late elementary school and beyond.  The combination of Walnut's awkward grace and his perilous adventure to prove his worth in his village, produce a book worthy of many accolades.


4.  REVIEW EXCERPTS 

• Publishers Weekly Book of the Year - Won 1996

• Black-Eyed Susan Book Award - Nominated 1999

• Minnesota Book Award - Won 1997

• Great Stone Face Children's Book Award - Nominated 1999

• Virginia Reader's Choice Awards - Nominated 2000

Starred Review from Publishers Weekly: " Both sharply and lyrically observed, fraught with emotion, the first-person narrative should connect strongly with a young audience, who will quickly learn that, no matter the century or the culture, the fundamentals of growing up remain very much the same."


Starred Review from Booklist: "...it has buoyant humor and the immediacy of a compelling story that is peopled with multidimensional characters who will live in readers' memories and imaginations."


Review from Kirkus: "Dorris has captured the angst that is part of the invisible doorway between childhood and adulthood in this appealing, but not over-romanticized, view of what life.."


Review from New York Times: "...this would be a nice little uplifting tale, but happily it turns into something larger, classic in form but modern in the telling...a fine example of a rite-of-passage novel that can be read as metaphor or message."


Review from School Library Journal: "There's a timeless quality to this 15th-century adventure that will be meaningful and immediate for young people today. Dorris takes on some meaty existential issues here; he does so with grace, bighearted empathy, and always with crystal-clear vision."


5.  CONNECTIONS

*Other books by Michael Dorris
A Yellow Raft in Blue Water: A Novel.  ISBN 978-0312421854
Morning Girl.  ISBN 978-0786813582
Guests.  ISBN 978-0786813568


*Other books with Native American main characters written for older elementary school students
Erdrich, Louise. The Birchbark House.  ISBN 978-0786814541
Speare, Elizabeth George. The Sign of the Beaver.  ISBN 978-0547577111
O'Dell, Scott.  Sing Down the Moon.  ISBN 978-0547406329