The+Absolutely+True+Diary+of+a+Part-time+Indian

Discussion page for //The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian.// I think this is a merit-worthy book, but do we include books that the kids won't read or finish? I had some of my best teen readers try this out for book discussion and it was not well-received by them. I personally liked it and it seems that many other librarians did, but will the average teen even bother with it? Food for thought. ~Kathy Watson, Kimball Library

Our Book Club read this book and most of the students really liked it. A few seniors (and teachers) thought the way it stereotyped Native Americans as drinkers/losers/bikers/etc. was a little too much. Some students thought the book was more geared towards middle schoolers but enjoyed the quick read. Sue-MHSLMC

Janet Moore, Lib Asst, couldn't agree more, insight into being a native and a guy and one with issues and a wicked sense of self-preservation and humor. Gail Zachariah absolutely loves this book and will write a review later.

Lisa Houde absolutely loves this book, too, and insists it be on the list!! :) Rye Public Library

One of Sharon Taylor's all time favorites. Weeks Public Library Greenland

Amy Inglis loves this book! I think the humor and honesty in this book are wonderful. It is a great way to get people talking about Native American issues while really being about one very interesting individual. Please keep this one ;)

Synopsis: Arnold Spirit was born with more than one strike against him. He has water on his brain, is small, his parents are alcoholics, he lives on the reservation and to top it all off, he is smart. Each day is a trial and on most days he gets beat up, although sometimes his best friend Rowdy protects him. Arnold, or rather Junior as he is called on the rez, gets upset one day when he discovers that his math book was signed out to his mother when she was in school. In a fit of anger he throws the book and inadvertently hits his teacher. After a day or so, the teacher comes to visit him and tells him that he needs to leave the rez in order to make a decent life for himself, so he convinces his parents to send him to a white school off of the reservation. And this is where his life begins to change. Review: This is an amazingly well written book about the curves life throws, the pain of growing up, and how not all is like it seems. I added this book to the summer reading list on the advice of several teachers. Furthermore, this is an author who has been suggested as recommended reading by several Native Americas that I know. This book provides laughter and serious thought. I highly recommend it for the list. Sharon Flesher Nashua High South

I loved this book. Thought it was very well written. The majority of my teens however were not into it at all. We had a book discussion and most of them felt the main character was a real whiner. A few of them really got into it and thought there was slots to discuss. Wasn't this on another list? Barb Ballou, Whipple Free Library

I think the book is great, but I can't get students to read it despite my book talks, etc. - Kelly Budd, KHS