My Absolutely New Favorite Book

I recently finished The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, and I was blown away by this book. This book follows a young native American, Junior, as he switches from a reservation school to Reardon High School, a school in the white area of town. Junior was born with “water” on the brain and has speech impediments that have led the kids on the reservation to pick on him. He begins his freshmen year of high school on the reservation but, after receiving a book that his mother had used 30 years ago, realizes that he needs to do something drastic if he wants to have a chance at succeeding in life. Junior transfers to Reardon High School where he faces a whole other set of problems including racism, hiding the fact that he’s poor, and having to fit into the white man’s world. I think this book has a great message to share with kids. In examining this books ability to be used within a classroom, I’d, again, like to focus on its relevancy to student’s life, whether it could be used in a multicultural classroom, and use of literary techniques.
I happen to think that this book is extremely relevant to students’ lives. Throughout this book Junior is trying to live in two different worlds, the white man’s world and the world of the reservation, and simply wants to fit in. In high school, most kids experience this problem. Personalities aren’t set, and students are just trying to figure out where they fit in and what the rules are. This book also looks at important issues that some students might be facing. One example of this is poverty. Junior’s family, and most of the reservation, lives below the poverty line. While in some schools there may not be students who are living in poverty, it is a huge problem in others. At a school I’m currently working in, 90% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Children in the class may be able to relate to Junior’s struggles and be encouraged to read the book.
In the world we live in, it is critical to have a multicultural classroom and a library that reflects that idea. This book could easily be used within a multicultural classroom because of a number of factors, the most obvious being that it focuses on Native Americans. This book presents a honest picture of life on the reservation. It would provide opportunities for teachers to talk about reservations and the history of behind the formation of reservations. This book also shows the hardships that people can face and would help children be able to empathize with people in those situations.
One of the great things about this book is that Junior draws comics, and they are included throughout the book. These comics often show irony and are humorous in a dark manner. It would allow for us to talk about irony in a piece. It would also allow for us to examine why Alexie uses such dark humor in the book. An example of one of these comics is found on page 36. Junior has drawn himself as a priest, and one of his former teachers is confessing his “sins” to Junior. These comics add depth to the text and would spark conversation amongst students.
This book would be a welcomed addition to my classroom library. It shows a young boy who works hard in order to improve his life. It presents issues in a way that students can understand and appreciate. During a time in a child’s life in which they’re searching for an identity and often times don’t fit in, this book shows them that it’ll get better. Sometimes that’s all anyone needs.

Let's Talk about Speak

As a future educator when I read books that are geared towards adolescents I find myself looking for certain things in the novel. First I want the novel to be socially relevant to kids. One thing I’ve learned so far in my student teaching is that most kids don’t like to read and won’t read a book or story that isn’t relevant to them. The second thing I search for is whether this book could be used within a multicultural classroom. In the world that we live in it’s important to make sure that the books we’re providing to children show characters that are from different cultures. It’s critical that our books show characters that children can identify with. Finally, and most importantly, I look for a book that I feel demonstrates well done literary techniques. If a book is showing students different examples of literary techniques that can be more exciting to kids than reading a definition from a textbook. Keeping these ideas in mind I’d like to talk about a book that I recently finished reading called Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.

In the novel Speak, a young girl, Melinda, has stopped talking following a traumatic experience. At first the reader can only guess what this experience is but throughout the novel it becomes clear that Melinda has been raped. While some people may find discussing an issue like rape in a classroom to be inappropriate, it is becoming a topic that teachers must address. Rape is becoming more and more common in society. One in six women and one in 33 men will become victims of sexual assaults (RAINN). These statistics are shocking and can’t be ignored. If we chose to not talk about this issue with our children it continues to keep a cloud of shame around the victim. This could prevent victims from coming forward and talking about their experiences. By discussing this issue it makes it okay for victims to come forward. Another reason why this novel is appropriate is because even though it focuses on a white female character it could be used in a multicultural classroom. Rape can happen to anyone regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs. Victims of rape could relate to Melinda’s feelings and experience. Even, as a young woman who hasn’t experienced a rape, I felt that this book allowed me to have better insight into what a rape victim experiences.

When looking at this book Anderson did a wonderful job utilizing different motifs within the story. A motif is a recurring item or element in a story that represents a larger theme or idea within the story. Throughout the book Anderson constantly mentions trees, mirrors, and mouths. In these different motifs they change and evolve throughout the story. In the beginning of the novel trees represent Melinda’s uncertainty regarding her emotions. By the end of the novel trees represent Melinda’s new found growth and connection to the emotions she experiences.

After looking at all of these aspects of the novel I found myself willing to add it to my classroom library and even teach it. When it comes to using this book in a lesson it would become important to inform parents, administrations, and even the students of the serious nature of this book. I think that this issue was handled in a responsible smart, sensitive way that allows for the reader to understand the experience of a rape victim or let a student know that they are not alone.

Works Cited:
RAINN. Statistics.2009. 8 October 2010.