The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

"I draw all the time.  I draw cartoons of my mother and father; my sister and grandmother; my best friend Rowdy; and everybody else on the rez.

I draw because words are too unpredictable.

I draw because words are too limited.

If you speak and write in English, or Spanish, or Chinese, or any other language, then only a certain percentage of human beings will get your meaning.

But when you draw a picture, everybody can understand it."

                     -Arnold (Absolutely True Diary)

Here are my online art picks for Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. 

San Pedro, California by Tom Fowlks and Nothing but Net by J. George Photography.

Native American on Iron Horse by DBarrStuff and All Tribes Dancing by NativeTalisManArt.

 City Living by Caitlin Kuhwald and Native America by HeyZee

Dream Catcher by MizzDraconia and Here to Stay by Leah Giberson. I love Leah's work and own three of her prints.

Classic Montana by Montana Framed and Mimi's Glasses by Nan Lawson. Her illustrations really appeal to me too. Check out her shop.

Cowboy Bar by Luneluxe and Polaroid 5/6 by Friction.

Tools by Moonflowers and On Faith by KikiAndPolly.

Choice Book: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie

Summary
The protagonist, Arnold (Junior) Spirit is a high school boy growing up on an Indian reservation in Spokane Washington.  He draws cartoons, which are included in the text. The book is loosely based on Alexie's own experiences growing up on the reservation.  After Junior gets in trouble at school, his teacher stops by his house to talk to him. Surprisingly, the teacher apologizes to Junior for everything that he and other white people have done to cheat or unconsciously oppress the reservation population over the years. He encourages Junior to leave the reservation.  Junior decides to go to school at Reardon, the town closest to the reservation, which is predominantly white. The novel examines the struggles and triumphs Junior experiences while living in both opposing worlds simultaneously.
Noted Themes and Questions
The novel raises questions about identity and cultural belonging. It also explores the poverty, alcoholism and other hardships that many reservation families face. It is a coming-of-age novel.  Junior witnesses many hardships and traumatic experiences, and the text explores his grief.  The novel allows Alexie to simultaneously critique and praise the cultural practices, norms, and stereotypes that surround reservation culture.
Reflection
I am obsessed with images and literature, so this novel is right up my alley. It's a great text for teaching because although it's accessible, it also has various layers that could create some interesting discussion among high school students. What I didn't consider until I went to our socratic seminar, is that the novel may reinforce some of the negative stereotypes our culture holds about Native Americans. If taught in the classroom, the book could be supplemented with some class discussion on cultural stereotyping.
Student Reaction
I think that most students would really enjoy this novel. It is humorous yet serious, about both sports and relationships (which might wrangle in boys and girls), and it's very accessible.  Junior's voice is very unpretentious, and the text would be a good one for more reluctant readers.
Grade
9th and up.