The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie - is A National Book Award Winner

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (September 12, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316013684
ISBN-13: 978-0316013680

Although this book deals with some tough issues – poverty, alcoholism, bullies and racism – it is full of humor and laughs. The story revolves around the friendship of two teenage boys – Arnold “Junior” and Rowdy - who grew up on an Indian Reservation outside of Spokane, Washington.

At the encouragement of his math teach, Junior makes the decision to leave the reservation school and transfer to a “white” high school 22 miles away. The only time he has to spend with Rowdy is in the evenings and on weekends. When Junior becomes the star basketball player for his new high school, things come to a head when his new team must play his old team.

I enjoyed this book so much, especially in the tactful way the hard subjects were written. I also enjoyed the cartoons that were a running theme throughout the book – Junior loves to draw cartoons, so these are his depictions of life. I think this book will be enjoyed by adults, as well as children ages 9 and up.