The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
I really enjoyed this story. Many of my favorite books and the ones that keep me thinking are Young Adult Fiction; this one was no different. This novel is the story of a young Indian (Native American) named Arnold living on the reservation. He is disenchanted with life on the rez and imagines what else is out there. He is smart and capable and bored by school. One day, he loses his temper at one of his teachers and rather than being reprimanded, the teacher pulls him aside and confesses his shortcomings as an educator. He reveals that the boy is as smart or smarter than his older sister who fell through the cracks. She had dreams of being a novelist and instead runs off with one of the first guys to offer her marriage off the reservation. She takes the shot at her freedom and we are led to believe is less than happy in her new situation. Anyway, the teacher convinces the boy to try something new. After this discussion, the boy decides to attend school off the reservation (making him a part-time Indian).
As the boy adjusts to a new school, he learns more about the world and how being an Indian fits in with everything going on around him. He must be purposeful in his attempts to get to school because it is not always easy. Some days, he walks more than 10 miles just to get there. To complicate matters, Arnold is going through puberty and dealing with new changes to his mind and body.
I liked the raw emotions, feelings, and view into the life of a young boy challenging two identities. Does he want to be on the rez? What does his future hold for him? What are the challenges to being an Indian off the rez? The story kept me reading and thinking. While some parts (masturbation, etc.) are not suitable for all audiences, I think this would be a great read for middle school or higher. I think many students I taught could relate to how Arnold felt and his conflicting identities.
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