The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian- Sherman Alexie

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian is a young adult novel written by Sherman Alexie. Semi autobiographical it tells the story of a native American boy, Junior, living on a reservation. It deals with the stereotypes associated with native American’s poverty and alcoholism, in a refreshing and direct manner. It is unapologetic in its portrayal of reservation life.

I heard a bit of a buzz going on about this book and several blogs recommended it. I read it in two sittings and would like to read it to my monkeys. My older son could read it on his own but I feel they would both benefit reading it with me there to answer the questions that undoubtedly will arise. I have recommended this to Dr. J and he has it on his bedside.  This is one of those novels that after I finished I wished I could have a chat with the author over coffee.

Whenever I read I use post its to bookmark passages I want to remember.
Here are a few that stood out for me:

I wanted to hate Dad and Mom for our poverty.

I wanted to blame them for my sick dog and for all the other sickness in the world.

But I can’t blame my parents for our poverty because my mother and father are the twin suns around which I orbit and my world would EXPLODE without them.

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The world, even the smallest parts of it, is filled with thing you don’t know.

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She went searching for her dreams, and she didn’t find them, but she made the attempt.

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The novel also features art work in the style of hilarious cartoons done by Ellen Forney.