Book Review

YA Book Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian

Submitted by Kristen Bevilacqua
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Book Review: YA Fiction for Teen Boys
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Meet Arnold Spirit, aka Junior, the dorky, confused and compassionate protagonist in Sherman Alexie's semi-autobiographical tale, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian.

After a passionate – although violent – outburst at school, Junior is encouraged by his math teacher to leave the reservation to attend a high school over 20 miles away. Junior struggles with his identity. He feels like he doesn't belonging anywhere – neither on the reservation which he has abandoned, nor at his new school where he feels like an outcast among the students.

Along his journey, Junior deals with poverty, alcoholism, racism and loss, but he never loses his conviction to find hope nor his sense of humor.

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YA Book Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian

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