Spokane/Coeur d'Alene author Sherman Alexie won the National Book Award for his book "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian."
Alexie accepted the award yesterday in New York City. He was nominated in the young people's literature category.
The book -- his first in the young adults genre -- is somewhat based on Alexie's life. The main character, Arnold, describes his experience at a school off the reservation.
"It's just astonishing. It's all because 27 years ago, I went up to my mom and dad and asked if I could leave the rez school, and they said yes," Alexie told The Seattle Times.
Get the Story:Seattle's Alexie wins the National Book Award (The Seattle Times 11/15)
Johnson's 'Tree of Smoke' Wins National Book Award (The Washington Post 11/15) Relevant Links:
Sherman Alexie - http://www.fallsapart.com Related Stories:
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