"With its witty dialogue and true-to-life experiences, "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" captured my full attention from cover to cover.
Sherman Alexie's new novel tells the story of a 14-year-old American Indian boy, Junior, who has an enormous skull, too many teeth, big feet and a pencil-like body, and wears "those ugly, thick, black plastic" glasses provided by the Indian Health Service.
After opening his geometry book and seeing his mother's name written in it from 30 years before, Junior realizes he needs to get off the Spokane Indian Reservation if he wants to receive a good education. He fears if he stays on the reservation, he will go nowhere after high school. So he leaves to attend a school 20 miles from his home.
Junior switches schools despite being labeled a traitor by his people. He is the only Indian at his new school and is picked on during his first few days.
"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" is heartbreaking and hysterical. Alexie writes an enthralling story for coming-of-age boys, teenagers who face their own problems at school and home, as well as adults who want to bring back high school memories.
I recommend this to anyone who wants to laugh, cry and get a taste of life on the rez. "
Get the Story:Review by Mia Walsh: A taste of life on the rez (The Yakima Herald-Republic 10/23) Another Article:
From rez kid to respected author (The Daily Lobo 10/23) Relevant Links:
Sherman Alexie - http://www.fallsapart.com Related Stories:
Sherman Alexie a finalist for National Book Award (10/12)
Students upset by Sherman Alexie's presentation (10/4)
Review: Alexie's 'Diary' of a nerdy Indian (09/24)
Review: Alexie's 'Diary of a Part-Time Indian' (9/17)
Review: Alexie's 'Flight' raw, vital and funny (05/28)
Review: Alexie makes readers laugh and cry in 'Flight' (04/25)
Review: Time travel in Sherman Alexie's 'Flight' (4/16)
Review: Native teen time travels in Alexie's 'Flight' (4/9)
Review: Alexie's 'Flight' a rollercoaster ride (3/26)
Sherman Alexie to read at Gonzaga University (01/26)
Sherman Alexie: Fake Indian stole my life story (01/30)
Sherman Alexie speaks about Martin Luther King (01/12)
Sherman Alexie on Success: 'I'm almost a rock star' (02/17)
Sherman Alexie proud to hang onto mullet hairstyle (11/24)
Native films to be screened during Sundance festival (01/07)
Review: Ten Little Indians by Sherman Alexie (6/30)
Critic: Sherman Alexie not above self-mocking (6/23)
Review: Nothing is sacred to Sherman Alexie (6/18)
Review: 'Ten Little Indians' by Sherman Alexie (6/16)
Alexie working on biography of Jimi Hendrix (6/13)
Review: Sherman Alexie's 'Ten Little Indians' (05/27)
Review: Sherman Alexie on being brown after 9-11 (05/06)
Sherman Alexie Story: What You Pawn I Will Redeem (04/21)
Sherman Alexie: A Native perspective on war (03/04)
Sherman Alexie is the stupidest war speaker (03/04)
Movie studio wanted J.Lo to play an Indian (02/14)
Sherman Alexie hard at work on 'sovereign' movie (5/11)
Sherman leaving Hollywood (6/23)
