From the Bookshelf of Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library…

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Sherman Alexie,

Ellen Forney (Illustrator)

Why we're reading this: I encourage everyone to give Young Adult fiction a try. YA authors tend to write in a fast paced, concise…more
[close] I encourage everyone to give Young Adult fiction a try. YA authors tend to write in a fast paced, concise manner that demands you to keep reading. This book is about a young Spokane Indian called Junior and his chaotic life on the reservation. He is trying to do what is best for himself while trying to keep everyone else happy. It will run you through a gamut of emotions and leave you wanting more.

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Dec 06, 2021 Cheshire Public Library rated it really liked it

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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a book about a Native-American boy named Arnold Spirit. Arnold was born with “water in his brain” and lives in the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington. His reservation is full of drunk and violent people who often die to alcohol overdose. In fact, Arnold said he had been to 42 funerals by the age of 14. Everyone in the reservation has accepted the fact that they are poor and that there’s no hope for them, except Arnold. Arnold realizes that The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a book about a Native-American boy named Arnold Spirit. Arnold was born with “water in his brain” and lives in the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington. His reservation is full of drunk and violent people who often die to alcohol overdose. In fact, Arnold said he had been to 42 funerals by the age of 14. Everyone in the reservation has accepted the fact that they are poor and that there’s no hope for them, except Arnold. Arnold realizes that the only way to make it out of his sad life is to go to a predominantly white school in Rearden.

However, things aren’t easy when Arnold begins his high school life in Rearden. Rearden High School is 22 miles away from Arnold’s home, so his dad can only afford to drive Arnold only once or twice a week due to gasoline prices, so Arnold has to dangerously hitchhike with strangers to get to his school. Occasionally, Arnold can’t find anyone to drive him so he has to walk the full 22 miles! And once Arnold gets to school, he has no friends and everyone mocks him. After Arnold finally starts sticking up for himself and fights Roger, the school’s football star, Arnold feels more respected at Rearden and Arnold thinks that he can put his reservation days behind him. He quickly starts making friends with the school brainiac, Gordy, and even Roger becomes friendly with him. Arnold then tries out for the basketball team and actually becomes a starter for the varsity team and their best shooter.

Everything seems to be going well, until the reservation turns on him. People from the Spokane Indian Reservation label him as a traitor and his former best friend, Rowdy, starts hating him. Arnold faces some family tragedies, and soon begins to feel depressed. Finally the reservation starts to accept Arnold after he had to endure those tragic losses. Humorous, heart-breaking and amazingly written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian reflects the life of an teen attempting to break away from the hopeless life he was destined to live.

Reviewed by Ali A. ...more

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Dec 06, 2013 Maria rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I feel like if a John Green book and a Louise Erdrich book and a Junot Diaz book made sweet, sweet group book love and had an awesome little baby book it would be Sherman Alexie's "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian." If you like at least one of those authors you should give this book a try. I'm not a teenage Indian boy growing up on a reservation in Washington, but I feel like Mr. Alexie created a complex protagonist with authentic voice. Being a kid is hard, being Arnold "Junior" ...more

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Sep 22, 2015 Melanie rated it it was amazing

This is the 3rd Sherman Alexie book I have read, and all of them had been for a book discussion. I knew that this had been on the banned and challenged book lists over the years. Having been familiar with some of his work I wasn't sure what to expect for a young adult books. I have usually found him to be very challenging to read - not the language, but the subject. Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a very fast paced read which I wasn't expecting. Arthur/Junior's life was not easy a ...more

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Dec 08, 2008 Debbie rated it it was amazing

A wonderful, hilarious, heart-wrenching book... I'd recommend it to anyone with bipolar disorder or split personalities (or those who are dabbling in both). ...more

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Apr 25, 2011 Aileen Finney rated it really liked it

This was a wonderful and moving book. I can see why it's on the challenged list for language and talk of chronic masturbation. It's a YA and I'd suggest it for readers 14 and up. ...more

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