The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (2007, Hardcover)

"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian" is one of those books that could be assigned to you in school (to read for History, English or Anthropology class) but is also the kind of book that you might just see in a library or bookstore that catches your attention.

No matter how you find the book, try it!
Read it...you'll like it!

This is a book that is classified "for young/youth readers or teens" but don't let that stop you if you're already past high-school age (I am and I loved it).

In a straightforward, easy-to-read way, it describes the life of "Junior", a 14 year old native American boy living on a Spokane Indian reservation. Junior is encouraged by his teacher to leave the reservation and attend an all-white school, in order to get a better education. He is branded as a 'traitor' by his people, and not quite accepted in his new school. Life is tough, but he tries his best and finds the strength inside himself to carry on and succeed.

Because Junior wishes to be a cartoonist, the book does have some funny illustrations in it and they did not interrupt the flow of the reading. Actually, they were very good and added to the text.

I have to admit...there was a part of the story right near the beginning, about Junior's sick dog, and them having to put it out of its misery. I almost stopped reading right there. Not that it was graphic or disturbing or anything, but I HATE books that make an animal die just to create an emotional response in the reader. But it was very short part, and it was important to add, so I will forgive the book for including this sad part.

The book does an excellent job of combining a serious and sometimes sad subject matter with humor and light-heartedness. So it's not a book full of 'literary fluff' but it won't make you depressed to read it. It's not a 'downer'.

It would be a good book for anyone to read, ages 12 and up.

Alexie Sherman was born in the state where I now live. Our city, Spokane, is reading this book. Rather than pay full price and buy it on the stands in our stores, I turned to ebay to see if there was one that I could read. It was fine with me if I was not the first reader. This is an easy to read book of coming of age. It makes you cry and it makes you laugh like any good book. It also makes you think especially if you are or you care about a Native American! If you don't have empathy for our native peoples, you really should read this book. I bought the book from Native Americans and got some beautiful Navajo jewelry at the same time for one shipping - what a deal. I have already sent the book on to be read by others but I am keeping the coral jewelry - it is hard to find these days. But, a book about Native Americans with a true view is difficult to obtain as well. Shop here!

I must say, I love this book! I bought it after reading an article about the importance of reading, written by James Patterson, in Parade Magazine. This book was on his list of "favorites for every child" and I thought my teenage daughter might want to read it. I really enjoyed this story, even though the subject matter was not always pleasant. I felt as though I was right there with Junior, the main character, experiencing all of his joys and sorrows. Each page seemed to bring on a new emotion. Some parts made me mad, other parts made me laugh and still other parts made me cry. I recommend reading this book to anyone, not just teens.

This book is a wonderful young adult novel, about moving from one social group to another. The main character sees the good and bad in both social groups.
It is told with love and honesty.

WTG.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

This book was great! I brought it for my Anthropology 101 class, and thought it might be a book with lots of words and would be hard to read. But, I was wrong...dead wrong. Within this book, it's a combo of words and pictures that the main character draws. It was really entertaining! I just couldn't put down that book! Now that I'm finished with the book, within a few day, I want to read more! I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about a Native American's life and/or need a laugh.

Book club selection. Youth genre but interesting to adults. I liked the contemplation of friendship.