The Absolutely True Diary
of a Part-Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie

    THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN by Sherman Alexie
    Art by:  Ellen Forney
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  9/12/07
    Publisher:  Little, Brown
    Reviewed by:  Cat
    Rating:  5 Stars


    I'll admit -- I put off reading THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN for well over a
    year, in favor of more "exciting" books.  Boy, what a mistake I made!

    Told from the perspective of thirteen-year-old Arnold Spirit, an intelligent, observant, sarcastic Indian born with
    encephalitis and a love of cartooning, Sherman Alexie takes us along with him as he moves away from a
    circumscribed, oppressive life on the Spokane reservation towards a more promising future by attending an all-
    white school thirty miles away.

    Never one to get bogged down in sentiment or self-pity, Mr. Alexie refuses to present Arnold's friends and family
    as one-dimensional stereotypes, nor is the world beyond "rez" borders portrayed as the Great White Hope.
    Arnold's family has problems, to be sure: an alcoholic father, an enabling, codependent mother; a near shut-in
    older sister.  But their love for each other is evident through their words and actions. And despite the ostracism
    and ridicule heaped upon him by former friends and other tribe members, Arnold reacts with biting wit rather than
    total despair.

    This has to be one of the best books I've ever read in my life, so I hope everyone gives it a try.