The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexi
Some months ago, I saw the reading list for the Spring 2015 Young Adult Lit class, and this book was on it. I am taking that class this fall, and unless the list changes drastically, I am one book closer to having the list done.
I can see why this book has won so many awards. It's a nice mix of humor and realism, and you feel things with the narrator. It's great when the reader can laugh along with and feel things with the narrator.
Arnold "Junior" Spirit lives on an Indian reservation in Washington state. He has some health issues which makes him come across as a wimp, and many people mess with him. His best friend, Rowdy, protects him. On the first day of his freshman year, Junior gets upset because he is given a textbook that belonged to his mother when she was in high school, many years before. Junior gets so mad that he throws the book at his teacher and breaks his nose. While serving the suspension for this infraction, this teacher comes by and tells Junior he's better than the school on the reservation. Junior ends up going to a high school in a "nearby" white community.
At first, Junior is not well liked because he is different. He doesn't fit in at his school, and he doesn't fit in on the reservation because they feel like he has betrayed them for wanting better for himself. Junior makes some friends, plays varsity basketball, and becomes popular. Sounds good, right? Well, this is when the author gets serious. He makes no secret that alcoholism is a problem on the reservation, and because of alcohol, Junior loses three important people in his life. I cried with Junior when I read this.
Like I said, this book makes you feel what the narrator feels. That seems to be a rare and wonderful thing.
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