The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Booktalk
Junior has had it: he’s had it with the second-rate reservation schooling, he’s had it with the alcoholism and the loneliness in his Spokane Indian family, he’s had it with the bullying and violence from just about everyone, and he’s had it with the crushing poverty. When he decides that the only escape from all this is to attend an all-white school in a neighboring town, his community, and worst of all his best friend Rowdy, turn on him as a traitor. Can the funny and intelligent Junior rise above the racism and snobbery he encounters in his new school? Will he survive the constant pain and tragedies of the reservation?

Packed full of witty observations and cartoons drawn by Junior that are both hilarious [show cartoon on page 88] and emotional [show cartoon on page 160] The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian gives a beautiful, funny, and heartbreaking look at what it means to find yourself and survive.

Check out my Booktalk video below!



If You Like This Book, Try These Ones Next

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 * If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth

Awards

 * National Book Award for Young People's Literature - 2007
 * Boston Globe-Horn Book Award - 2008
 * Odyssey Award - 2009
 * California Young Reader Medal - 2010

A Little More Information
Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York: Hachette Book Group, 2007. Print.

ISBN-13: 978-0316013697

Paperback Price: $12.34

Annotation: A Native American boy struggles to find his place in society and understand his identity when he leaves his reservation to attend an all-white school nearby.