Module 2 - Challenge

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

by Sherman Alexie & art by Ellen Forney

Alexie, S. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time indian. (1st ed.). New York: Hachette Book Group, Inc.
 

After an incident at the rez (reservation) school, Arnold Spirit, Jr. makes the difficult decision to transfer to Rearden, an all white school off the reservation.  The story follows Arnold through his freshman year of high school and the many struggles that come with being an Indian attending a white school.  As Arnold works to figure out the rules of his new school he is faced with tragedies that he soon realizes all involve alcohol.  Through witty and often humorous entries, Arnold explains his attempts to find his place in a world that appears to stay the same and yet is constantly changing.  

The author chose to have the reader join Arnold in medias res, therefore, the reader learns a lot about Arnold through flashbacks.  Arnold is an outsider even in his inner circle, but that fact is what allows him to accept challenges that others would not.  One of those challenges is allowing others into his life and hoping for something different, possibly even better than what is.  Although some of the characters seem to be portrayed in a stereotypical fashion (Indians as alcoholics), the tone of writing coupled with the theme leave the reader with one image of what it means to be an American Indian in the 21^st century.  The illustrations ranging from cartoons to sketches help the reader develop an understanding of Arnold as well as the relationships between Arnold and the other characters.  The integral setting provided additional challenges for Arnold and allowed the author to express those challenges with more humor.  The fact that the rez was 22 miles from the school in Reardon made it difficult to attend school regularly.  The setting also provided the reader with even more background about Arnold and set the stage for the changes the reader witnesses through the telling of the story.   One complaint is the open ending.  The author chose the perfect place to end the story.  However, many readers might like to know how the author sees Arnold’s life play out in the future.

Personally, this book is one of my new favorites.  Although I didn’t actually cry, I do believe my heart broke a little while reading this story.  I also laughed a lot.  Sherman Alexie has written a little piece of life and it’s truly amazing to see it captured on paper.   Arnold explains that his parents were poor because nobody believed in their dreams.  Arnold states this so matter-of-factly that the reader accepts it as truth.  Is having someone believe in you the only difference between success and failure?  It also points out the importance of believing in oneself.  Another important idea was the need “to hang on to the good and sober moments tightly” (p216).  To me this particular line demonstrates the message of hope that the reader was intended to walk away with.  It acknowledges that life can be hard and difficult, but we are responsible for finding the hope to get through.  The content within the text, although appropriate for the story, is somewhat mature and should be considered when recommending this book.