The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is one of my favorite books ever.  I grew up in a situation similar to Sherman’s, and Jr.’s.  I grew up on a reservation, but I was never enrolled so I never really fit in, and once I started Jr. High School in a different town where the main race was Caucasian I didn’t fit in because I was from the reservation.  When Jr. describes himself as a “part time Indian,” I have a pretty good idea of what he means.  I think this text was written for a very particular audience, youth who have felt othered.  For youth who have felt like Jr. did in the novel it is a very relatable work.  Much of what Alexie wrote is exactly what young people feel when they move schools or encounter many other ordinary difficulties.  I think that Rowdy’s character develops incredibly throughout the story.  When Jr. first moves schools Rowdy is not a very good friend.  He resents Jr.’s choice to leave even though deep down it seems like he just wants to go with Jr.  Eventually though he forgives Jr. and opens up to him about why he was really upset and how he hopes that Jr. goes on to succeed in his life.  The way that Alexie developed Rowdy’s character was very similar to how I have seen people develop.  When I was younger and older kids would leave the reservation they would be resented, but now they are almost praised for trying to make more of themselves.  I do think that this novel leaves out adolescents who have never been through a change in their lives such as moving or divorce or other experiences similar to these.  I think this text does put young people in a very real life situation.  Often times youth in areas of poverty struggle to leave which is exactly what happens in this novel.  Also, it shows how young people in new schools are treated by students who have already established their relationships.  I think it is a novel that most high school can appreciate even if they have never gone through a life changing event like Jr. did in this novel.  I think this is a very teachable novel.  In fact I recently designed a 5-day unit using this book to teach students the importance of identity.  By showing students how true to his identity Jr. stays even with the hardships that he faces we can show them how important it is to stay true to themselves.  I used activities in which my students reflected on their own identities in order to see the importance of staying true to themselves.  I give this book an A+ on the grading scale.  I relate to this book in so many ways that I can completely submerge myself into it.  I love reading this book, even though I have read it over and over again which is out of the ordinary for me.  Normally I read a book once and then don’t read it again because I cannot stay focused when I know what is coming.  This is a great book that I will continue to enjoy for the rest of my life.