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.
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
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
War Dances. ISBN 978-0802144898
The Business of Fancy Dancing: Stories and Poems. ISBN 978-0914610007
*Website for Sherman Alexie
http://fallsapart.com
http://fallsapart.com