The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Author: Sherman Alexie

Title: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Genre: Bildungsroman 

Bibliographic Data in MLA format: Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Cornelsen, 2009.

Recommended Grade Level(s): 9-10th

Number of Pages: 230

*Brief, concise plot description (no more than one paragraph): 

This novel tells the story of Junior, a Spokane Indian living on the reservation who decides he wants to leave and go to an all-white school right outside. He deals with bullying, sexuality, sports, death, love, and more along the way. 

Possible Teaching Concerns (may refer back to the text(s) used in class): In all honesty, I don't think I would teach this book in my classroom. If I did, I would only use the part when Junior talks about the white Christians coming to the reservations telling them they are loved. There is too much vulgarity to the point where it is excessive and in my opinion, not helpful to the plot of the book. I don't care if my students would like it. I'm sure they like some other inappropriate things as well, but that doesn't mean I'm going to provide it in my classroom. 

Personal Reaction to/and/or Evaluation of novel: Personally, I appreciated this novel, the cartoons, the creativity, and the lessons taught through it. Just because I wouldn't teach it in my classroom doesn't mean I think it's a bad book. In fact, I think it did its job incredibly well and was a very heartfelt and important perspective from the author and a good incorporation of his personal experience. I could have done without the vulgarity, but the story itself was moving and important for people to hear. 

Canonical work with which to juxtapose this novel & a brief (one paragraph) description of the rationale to connect the 2 works: I would compare this novel to Things Fall Apart because there is the connection of Western Imperialism onto groups who are not looking for it. I think these books are very different, but what ties them together is the evident damage that the "White Savior" complex does to these communities.