The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Arnold Spirit Junior is a young teen growing up on an Indian reservation that is caught in a depressing cycle of poverty, alcoholism and fatalism indicative of many Indian families. Arnold carries around all the normal teen angst plus added stress from being different and living on a reservation. He was born with water on the brain so he is smaller and weirder than the rest of the kids at his Indian school. Arnold is also smart, restless and angry about his circumstances and the plight of Indians in general. He has only one friend, Rodney, who allows his personal anger to manifest outward and is the reservation bully. His family, in their own way, is supportive and loving. One day, Arnold has a mental break through and knows if he doesn’t change his circumstances, no else can. He makes the decision to go off reservation to school and his life takes a dramatic turn. This story is well written, an easy read and captures one year in the life of a adolescent moving towards self-realization and manhood

I would recommend this book for two reasons. It is full of modern Indian culture and daily realities of life on a reservation wrapped neatly into the story line. This is not always a pretty picture but gives good insight into the barriers faced by those in the cycle of poverty and despair. Secondly, it has moments of triumph, despair, heartache and reconciliation. The accompanying emotions transcend race or circumstances and readers will be able to relate to his expression of these emotions through his behaviors and thoughts.

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