The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian

Sherman Alexie

ISBN: 978-0-316-01368-0

Publisher: Little Brown and Company, 2007


Plot Summary: Alexie tells the story of Junior Spirit, a teen boy growing up on the "rez." We learn that Junior had a hard infancy as he was born with excessive cerebral spinal fluid on his brain, and as a result physically looks a little awkward. He has a large head, he is skinny, and has extra teeth (42 to be exact)! He also has poor vision and suffers from seizures. Due to all of these physical problems, Junior or Arnold, is made fun of a great deal. He has a best friend capable of protecting him, as he is a strong and big kid, named Rowdy.


Junior is a very smart kid and one of his teachers challenges him to want more, and Junior realizes to reach for more, he must go to school off the "rez." The school where he can find "hope," is an all white school near the "rez," but the demographic is largely white, wealthy kids. When he makes this decision, Rowdy is hurt and angry and refuses to talk to Junior. Junior finds that he is a talented basketball player and his next meeting with Rowdy after leaving the "rez" school is a big basketball tournament and Junior is terrified! In addition Junior also longs for reconciliation with Rowdy.


Junior also faces many tragedies in the book. He deals with the loss of his best friend, his sister moves away and then dies, his father is an alcoholic, and his very kind and wise grandmother passes away. Alexie does a great job of conveying Junior's pride, ambivalence, and frustration as he reaches for a brighter future than poverty on the "rez."


Critical Analysis: Alexie uses vernacular and sarcasm to make light of difficult issues such as poverty, alcoholism, race/ ethnicity, and does a strong job of exploring Native American identity, as well as the relationship between Junior and his family as they struggle to survive. The poverty of the "rez" is most apparent when they must shoot the family dog due to lack of funds. The game between Junior's new school and the "rez" school where Junior faces Rowdy is a creative way for Alexie to convey Junior at odds with his life on the "rez," and how he strives for new opportunities but also faces the fact that he feels he abandoned his friends.


Reader's Annotation: Junior Spirit is a poor awkward Indian boy and a teacher sees his potential and advises him on leaving the "rez" in order to "not die!" Junior loses his best friend, but continues to strive for better. We follow Junior through many emotional ups and downs and observe his personal journey as he yearns for knowledge and success.


Grade Level/ Interest Age: YA 7th to 12th grade

Genre: Comedy/ Native American Literature


Author Information: Alexie was born in 1966 on October 7th. Just like Junior, Alexie struggled in infancy and had cerebral spinal fluid on the brain. He too had seizures but as a result read a great deal. Alexie graduated from WSU and majored in American Studies. He then started to write poetry. He is Native American and often addresses Native American identity in his texts. Alexie was an alcoholic but quit drinking at age 23. Another great text by Alexie is Indian Killer which is an adult fiction text. Alexie is married and has two sons, David and Joseph.


Book Talk Ideas:

1.) Why does Junior laugh when he finds out his sister is dead?

2.) What did the final basketball tournament represent for Junior/ for Rowdy?

3.) What are some of Junior's sacrifices when he goes to the "white" school?

Curriculum Ties: English/ American Literature, Native American Studies, Sociology


Challenge issues:

1.) sexuality


Defense:
First I would say that the sexuality expressed is not gratuitous and find information to support that Alexie conveys natural sexual development for a teenage boy. I would urge the adult challenging the text to read it. In addition, I would compile a list of all the reasons the book is relevant to Young Adults.

I would also share the selection policies for San Diego County Libraries: http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.41_material-selection.pdf
If after my working to convince the patron, they still were not satisfied and wanted to file a grievance, I would provide the needed paper work and then it would go to the “Challenged Materials” team for San Diego County and then onward until there is resolution: http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.34_intellectual_freedom.pdf

Reason for Selection: This book provides a humorous, gritty, and aware depiction of a teen aged boy exploring his Native American Heritage/ Identity. It is a "must-read!"