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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

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Author: Sherman Alexie
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Category: Book

List Price: ~~$16.99~~
Buy Used: $7.50
You Save: $9.49 (56%)

New (63) Used (151) from $7.50

Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 240
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 4.9 x 1.1

ISBN: 0316013684
EAN: 9780316013680
ASIN: 0316013684

Publication Date: September 12, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
In his first book for young adults, bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by acclaimed artist Ellen Forney, that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.

Customer Reviews: Read 86 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Hilarious and heartbreaking September 21, 2008
Arnold "Junior" Spirit, decides to take his future into his own hands and transfer to a white high school about half an hour from his home on the Rez. This smart articulate teen talks about his life, just the way it is, warts and all. He brings some of the realities about life in Indian Country to the world at large and puts it together with all the insanity that goes with being a teenager. Wonderful book!

5 out of 5 stars

A Protagonist To Love September 16, 2008
I am 27 and I loved this book! I would tear up and then burst out with laughter. The drawings add to the charm of the book. I would gladly let my young teenager read this. It is real issues that we can all relate to. Absolutely exceeded my expecations!

5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely True To Himself September 15, 2008
Sherman is a premier Native writer at the top of his game. It just proves how far the mainstream is from Native contemporary life and issues to see how he is reviewed, but his talent with words is undeniable.

5 out of 5 stars

Amazing September 1, 2008

Julia Del.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: Realistic Fiction Review

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is quite a memorable book. The main character and narrator Arnold Spirit Jr. explained what was going on in his life with such raw honesty and crude humor I couldn't help smiling at every page. Arnold introduced himself at the beginning of the book with such a matter-of-fact tone about his medical problems and his situation living on an Indian reservation it sent me, and surely everyone else who will read this book into hysterics. Arnold's medical issues just made every problem and dilemma he faced even funnier, because he explains how fatal every thing that could happen to him is, and how much worse it could get. Arnold is the "zero" (as he refers to himself) on the reservation causing him to get beat up and called names all the time, it's a harsh reality, but somehow Sherman Alexie lightens up the story with a small, but hysterical cartoon of the situation. The entire book is in first person, so you read everything Arnold is thinking, and those thoughts are what everyone would only think and never dare say aloud, throughout the book there are little things like, "Oh yeah, did I mention, us Indians love to talk dirty," which really gets the idea across of what Arnold thinks of himself and where he comes from. Sherman Alexie definitely gave Arnold Spirit a very strong voice, which not many authors have been able to accomplish. The cartoons throughout the book make it as authentic as it is, the book has a unique plot, with a unique character and very unique doodles throughout that express exactly what Arnold is feeling, and his confusion, hoping to discover how he will ever get out of the reservation and how he will handle the white kids. Reading the blurb I expected the book to be the least bit depressing, because Arnold is in a very difficult situation trying to figure out what to do, to please both his family and white school, feeling like a traitor, but somehow Sherman Alexie manages to leave the reader feeling hopeful, to keep on going despite the obstacles we face.

5 out of 5 stars

Very Creative and Clever August 29, 2008
I can see why this book has been winning awards. It is very creative and clever and Mr. Alexie is a very good writer. Except for the more mature language, I think it could have been a middle-grade novel (instead of young adult), because it seems almost more geered to a younger audience. But it is a good read and I am certain that whatever audience finds it will be grateful for Sherman Alexie's creation.

There is a scene early on about his dog that struck me as I read it as profound and gutsy writing. The truth of it registered in my solar plexus. I kept waiting to be touched like that again but the book seemed to take more of a comic approach after that. Perhaps that's a good thing.

Copyright 2007 White Hat Communications.
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