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.