--The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian--

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

By: Sherman Alexie

This novel is a first person narrative from a teenage Native American boy, Arnold Spirit Jr.  Throughout this book he, the main character, is referred to as Junior.  This story by Sherman Alexie takes place on a Spokane Indian Reservation.  He begins the novel by explaining his situation with being born with excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), on his brain.  With this, Junior struggles to fit in on the reservation.  This book follows Arnold Spirit throughout a couple years of his life while he experiences failure, success, and disappointment.  During his life he  receives encouragement from his high school teacher to move outside his comfort zone by leaving the reservation.

Once he gets to Reardan he tries to gain acceptance into his new society.  He does everything he can think of to become “cool” and be included in any and everything.  He tried everything from hitting on the cute popular girl, trying out for the basketball team, and using his intelligence with the nerd clubs.  While some worked others did not. His best friend while on the reservation, Rowdy, would become his enemy.  

At the end of the day this is a great book about the struggles of a teenage Indian boy.  I would give this the rank of a Chief on the Indian scale of a rank and file tribal member to the Tribal Chief.

S - The speaker of this story is the voice of Sherman Alexie.  Mr. Alexie wrote this novel in September 2007.  

O - The occasion is the teenage life of a Native American boy who moved off of the reservation to start a new life.  

A - The book is written for any reader interested in Native American culture or how life is growing up on an Indian reservation.  This book will also benefit people who have relocated to a new town or city and want to fit in.  This book shows how one tries acclimate into a new community.   

P - The purpose of this book is to give insight into life on an Indian reservation.  It shows the life of a bullied student who eventually moves away to experience a new life.  

S - The subject of this book is a Native American indian, Arnold Spirit or Junior.  He is a 14 year old budding cartoonist.  

TONE - I think the tone of this book is laid back but offers a personal perspective of life on and off a reservation.