The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

I originally started reading the book because a local school board had decided that it was inappropriate (apparently they think 9th graders can't handle mildly off color words) and want to ban it. The board president and other conservative members of the board hadn't even read the book but were basing their opinion on a blurb they read. They'd been given months to review it and despite it being a very quick read, they chose to not make the effort. I was hooked immediately. The author made you feel like you were part of his world even though most us have never been closer to a reservation than seeing advertising for a casino on TV. I recommend this book to anyone with teenagers. They would benefit from seeing the perspective of someone they might not encounter in their everyday life and maybe reevaluate how they treat people from other cultures.

I started reading this book because my 12 year old son was reading it to do a book summary for school. I read the entire book in a 24 hour span. It may be somewhat of a mature book with typical thoughts and actions of a typical young teen and their bodily functions but it will probably be a good life lesson as well as moral lessons. Anyway... What a great story, it is an emotional roller coaster. This book makes you laugh and cry, makes you feel bad for those on the rez but want to be a part of them and their tough life, makes you glad to be part of the white community and their privilege but embarrassed by our racism and how alone we are in a world full of people. I want to write more but I do not want to give spoilers even if they are vague. I have a feeling that I will be thinking of this book often and will read it again in the near future. My best summary I could give is a quote from Junior in the chapter titled "And a Partridge in a Pear Tree"... "It was a beautiful and ugly thing"

My 9th grade students have loved this book. It's such a great book for school because it's fun, interesting, feels like an "easy read" but in actuality it hits on so many in-depth themes. Alexie does a great job making it feel authentic and entertaining while also weaving in themes of poverty, racism, alcoholism, family issues, friendships, and so much more. I plan on continuing to use this book in my curriculum.

Just look him up and you will see. The book is absolutely vile and inappropriate for any age. We had to read this book for a 7th grade English class and found it very hard to digest the raw sexual content. A few months later, the author's name was all over the news for sexual misconduct. He apologized but that does not make his actions forgivable.

Worst book I’ve ever read. This narrative is getting old, and the author’s opinions throughout the novel are so juvenile that it’s disgusting. This entire read was painful and not even worth the effort. Had to read it for college course.

I read this book because so many of my students read it as kids and really enjoyed it. The book is unflinching in its depiction of social reality--alcoholism and violence on the reservation and racism in wealthier, white towns surrounding that reservation while at the same time avoiding easy stereotypes. The characters--white and Native American, male and female--are all three-dimensional and believable, especially the teenage narrator. More than that, the novel is fun to read. This sounds odd, given the nature of the subjects covered, but Alexie's wit and insight are riveting. I read it through in one night and look forward to reading it again in a few months.

I bought this book because it tops many "banned books" lists. I assume that the censors want to limit access to it because it has a teenage boy openly discussing masturbation. As I was once a teenage boy, I can state with complete confidence that boys will discover masturbation with or without this book. In a day when boys have access to the internet, it is somewhat quaint that some people think that access to this book should be restricted. I think it is ironic that the author could have left out the section on masturbation and probably not have raised as much ruckus. Ironic, because this is a book that is disturbing in other ways. It is a potent discussion of racism and challenges white readers to re-examine their relationship with native Americans. I laughed out loud at the vain White billionaire who came to "help" the tribe - but the laughter helped me see some of my "White Savior" thinking in a whole new light. Buy it. Give it to every teenage boy you know. It's an easy read, the illustrations are a delight and you might open a mind or two.

The story follows a teenage Indian boy, Junior, from the Spokane reservation during his first year in high school. He has had to make some tough decisions to set himself on a different path from his family. Author, Alexie, takes you on a very relatable journey through the raw emotions Junior experiences through the joys of a basketball game to the loss of a loved one. Alexie describes in very plain but descriptive detail as he faces deep, almost adult situations and emotions of regret and watch as his tribe abandons him then accepts him again. I cried and laughed along with the narrative. This child, boy, young man went through truly adult experiences and even handled it than most adults would have in his situation. I am fairly certain someone out there has probably felt the pain and experienced what he has. This book was an emotional roller coaster as a reader, something I am grateful for with the tale it is opening up to us. This book is full of conflict and deep emotion the moment you read the first page, something that I truly appreciated from the author. The amount of introspection Junior has is astounding for a damaged young boy. If there was a quote that stuck out with me it was “You can do it”. Simple? Yes, but where it is used is so important to the story. I would recommend everyone of appropriate age read this book. There are real things teen boys do experience in this and I think it is important for parents to read this prior to their son/daughter reading it. It is enlightening, soul wrenching, and a joy to read though it does sting a bit here and there. It condemns what has historically been done to the Native American land/traditions, but on the other hand has another thought about how people need to also help themselves. It is a difficult topic to bring up and I think Alexie did a good job handling it from a young man's perspective. My recommendation: Read the book.

I can see why the reviews of book were so great. You truly do live a very tiny time in this teenage boy's life. I wanted cheer him on, I wanted to yell at him, I wanted to defend him. A book like none other I have read, you will be transported into a very poor reservation and really get a sense of what their struggles they deal with just to feed their and clothe their families. Yes, alcohol plays a major part, as does hopelessness, but this is what poor reservation life is like. And yet, it is a positive story of one child. This is a story of many emotions, but most of all, it is the story of a boy starting the difficult journey of becoming a young man.

This was chosen by my book club as one of our books for this month, and I'm so glad that it was, as I've wanted to read it for sometime now, yet I kept putting it off, as it is geared towards a younger audience, and I thought that I would find it difficult to "connect" with Junior's story. But I was wrong. I felt as though I was having a conversation with someone whom I'd never met, but felt as if I'd known them my whole life. This is simply put, a well-written story. Junior was a brutally honest narrator, and I found myself utterly absorbed, as I laughed, cried, and rooted him throughout the book. In short, it is well worth the time to read and I highly recommend it.

I originally started reading the book because a local school board had decided that it was inappropriate (apparently they think 9th graders can't handle mildly off color words) and want to ban it. The board president and other conservative members of the board hadn't even read the book but were basing their opinion on a blurb they read. They'd been given months to review it and despite it being a very quick read, they chose to not make the effort. I was hooked immediately. The author made you feel like you were part of his world even though most us have never been closer to a reservation than seeing advertising for a casino on TV. I recommend this book to anyone with teenagers. They would benefit from seeing the perspective of someone they might not encounter in their everyday life and maybe reevaluate how they treat people from other cultures.

I started reading this book because my 12 year old son was reading it to do a book summary for school. I read the entire book in a 24 hour span. It may be somewhat of a mature book with typical thoughts and actions of a typical young teen and their bodily functions but it will probably be a good life lesson as well as moral lessons. Anyway... What a great story, it is an emotional roller coaster. This book makes you laugh and cry, makes you feel bad for those on the rez but want to be a part of them and their tough life, makes you glad to be part of the white community and their privilege but embarrassed by our racism and how alone we are in a world full of people. I want to write more but I do not want to give spoilers even if they are vague. I have a feeling that I will be thinking of this book often and will read it again in the near future. My best summary I could give is a quote from Junior in the chapter titled "And a Partridge in a Pear Tree"... "It was a beautiful and ugly thing"

My 9th grade students have loved this book. It's such a great book for school because it's fun, interesting, feels like an "easy read" but in actuality it hits on so many in-depth themes. Alexie does a great job making it feel authentic and entertaining while also weaving in themes of poverty, racism, alcoholism, family issues, friendships, and so much more. I plan on continuing to use this book in my curriculum.

Just look him up and you will see. The book is absolutely vile and inappropriate for any age. We had to read this book for a 7th grade English class and found it very hard to digest the raw sexual content. A few months later, the author's name was all over the news for sexual misconduct. He apologized but that does not make his actions forgivable.

Worst book I’ve ever read. This narrative is getting old, and the author’s opinions throughout the novel are so juvenile that it’s disgusting. This entire read was painful and not even worth the effort. Had to read it for college course.

I read this book because so many of my students read it as kids and really enjoyed it. The book is unflinching in its depiction of social reality--alcoholism and violence on the reservation and racism in wealthier, white towns surrounding that reservation while at the same time avoiding easy stereotypes. The characters--white and Native American, male and female--are all three-dimensional and believable, especially the teenage narrator. More than that, the novel is fun to read. This sounds odd, given the nature of the subjects covered, but Alexie's wit and insight are riveting. I read it through in one night and look forward to reading it again in a few months.

I bought this book because it tops many "banned books" lists. I assume that the censors want to limit access to it because it has a teenage boy openly discussing masturbation. As I was once a teenage boy, I can state with complete confidence that boys will discover masturbation with or without this book. In a day when boys have access to the internet, it is somewhat quaint that some people think that access to this book should be restricted. I think it is ironic that the author could have left out the section on masturbation and probably not have raised as much ruckus. Ironic, because this is a book that is disturbing in other ways. It is a potent discussion of racism and challenges white readers to re-examine their relationship with native Americans. I laughed out loud at the vain White billionaire who came to "help" the tribe - but the laughter helped me see some of my "White Savior" thinking in a whole new light. Buy it. Give it to every teenage boy you know. It's an easy read, the illustrations are a delight and you might open a mind or two.

The story follows a teenage Indian boy, Junior, from the Spokane reservation during his first year in high school. He has had to make some tough decisions to set himself on a different path from his family. Author, Alexie, takes you on a very relatable journey through the raw emotions Junior experiences through the joys of a basketball game to the loss of a loved one. Alexie describes in very plain but descriptive detail as he faces deep, almost adult situations and emotions of regret and watch as his tribe abandons him then accepts him again. I cried and laughed along with the narrative. This child, boy, young man went through truly adult experiences and even handled it than most adults would have in his situation. I am fairly certain someone out there has probably felt the pain and experienced what he has. This book was an emotional roller coaster as a reader, something I am grateful for with the tale it is opening up to us. This book is full of conflict and deep emotion the moment you read the first page, something that I truly appreciated from the author. The amount of introspection Junior has is astounding for a damaged young boy. If there was a quote that stuck out with me it was “You can do it”. Simple? Yes, but where it is used is so important to the story. I would recommend everyone of appropriate age read this book. There are real things teen boys do experience in this and I think it is important for parents to read this prior to their son/daughter reading it. It is enlightening, soul wrenching, and a joy to read though it does sting a bit here and there. It condemns what has historically been done to the Native American land/traditions, but on the other hand has another thought about how people need to also help themselves. It is a difficult topic to bring up and I think Alexie did a good job handling it from a young man's perspective. My recommendation: Read the book.

I can see why the reviews of book were so great. You truly do live a very tiny time in this teenage boy's life. I wanted cheer him on, I wanted to yell at him, I wanted to defend him. A book like none other I have read, you will be transported into a very poor reservation and really get a sense of what their struggles they deal with just to feed their and clothe their families. Yes, alcohol plays a major part, as does hopelessness, but this is what poor reservation life is like. And yet, it is a positive story of one child. This is a story of many emotions, but most of all, it is the story of a boy starting the difficult journey of becoming a young man.

This was chosen by my book club as one of our books for this month, and I'm so glad that it was, as I've wanted to read it for sometime now, yet I kept putting it off, as it is geared towards a younger audience, and I thought that I would find it difficult to "connect" with Junior's story. But I was wrong. I felt as though I was having a conversation with someone whom I'd never met, but felt as if I'd known them my whole life. This is simply put, a well-written story. Junior was a brutally honest narrator, and I found myself utterly absorbed, as I laughed, cried, and rooted him throughout the book. In short, it is well worth the time to read and I highly recommend it.

I became aware of this book when a woman living in my county in southeastern North Carolina attempted to have it banned from the school libraries and curriculum, charging that it was pornographic, depicted bestiality, and would lead young people reading it into lives of depravity. Instead of her characterizations, I found the book to be very uplifting. It tells the story of a native American teenager living on a reservation (the rez) who looks around at the poverty, alcoholism, and lack of purpose of many members of his tribe, and determines to lift himself out of that morass. He leaves the reservation school to attend a public high school in a nearby, non-native community, where he is initially targeted as a minority, but finds acceptance through his determined attitude and a level of ability in basketball that he did not know he had within himself. In spite of continual setbacks due to his continued ties to the rez, he maintains his resolve. The book also speaks to the importance of family and friends, even when the family members and the friends are flawed. This book has won a National Book Award and many other honors. And while there are brief comments of a sexual nature, things that most teenagers are well aware of, there is certainly no pornography, no explicit depiction of any sexual behavior, and certainly no hint of bestiality. It is a great, short read, and a wonderful addition to juvenile literature.

The tone and language of this book are highly enjoyable even while the subject matter is pretty constantly heavy. Like many other readers, I adore tge two main characters and their story arc. I wanted more after I finished, and yet I knew this story was done. I read about the real-life Rowdy and was glad to know things turned out better for him than I'd imagined, at least for a few decades.

I bought this book because my son's school was trying to ban it, calling it "smut" because someone got offended due to it having the word masturbation in it. The group of HIGH SCHOOLERS reading this have said and I'm sure done far worse than that, but our school district thinks it's a Public Christian school and if you don't conform to the board members and administrations beliefs, you're singled out. Our board banned this book without reding it first just one page is all they needed. My son was so excited when he saw this book in my bedroom because he wanted to finish it. Great read and for sure not smut.

This book offers a unique window into the mind of teenager Arnold Spirit (aka Junior), an aspiring cartoonist and Spokane who lives "on the rez" in Washington state. Born with a brain condition that makes him the subject of constant bullying from both kids and adults, Junior is desperate to escape from the reservation, where there is no hope for a future. Education is his way out, and he bravely transfers from the reservation school to the all-white high school in a town twenty miles away. Nobody outside his family is happy about Junior's decision, including his best (and only) friend Rowdy and the racist kids at his new school. I enjoyed reading about Junior/Arnold's struggle to live with a foot in both worlds, although the gritty poverty Junior faces at home was often hard to digest. However, Junior's voice shines through with such humor that even the darkest passages are tempered with hope.

THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN is Sherman Alexie's work of young adult fiction. We are introduced to Arnold "Junior" Spirit, a young aspiring cartoonist and basketball player, born hydrocephalic ("water on the brain"), raised by his parents who struggle with alcoholism and the dire effects of poverty on the Indian "rez." When Arnold makes the decision to attend an elite, all white high school and break through the barriers so heavily imposed upon him and other young people growing up in his immediate society, the young man has the opportunity to finally prove himself, both academically and socially (pursuing an education, intermixing with his white classmates, joining the basketball team, befriending Penelope, one of the prettiest and most popular girls at school). All the while, Arnold continues to journal and illustrate the day-to-day trials and tribulations he must come to terms with. Sherman Alexie succeeds in capturing a truly authentic and engaging writer's voice in Arnold Spirit. Spirit represents the misunderstood and displaced teenager that exists in all of us. This transcends every cultural and racial barrier. What's more, the story is lifted from chapters of Alexie's formative years. It truly is a privilege to be allowed that intimate look into what early memories (painful, brutal, and at times triumphant) inspired Sherman Alexie to weave such fantastic stories and poems for all of us to read and appreciate. My hope is that THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN is only the beginning of many more novels to come from this great author.

Before reading Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian I had very low hopes of the book being any good. Personally, I am not much of a reader, but I decided to give this book a try. Let me tell you, I enjoyed the book, from the comics to the actual story, it was so entertaining! As I flipped through the pages, absorbing more of the story, I found myself getting more into the book. Within a few hours, I was done with the book. As a teenager, I loved the humor carefully crafted by the author, it seemed like I was reading an actual book from a teenager. Before doing research on the book, it made me surprised the story was fiction. The story can be entirely made up, but I imagined the story was a close spitting image of what some Native-Americans on reservations have to go through. However, after I’ve done my research Alexie said, “If I were to guess at the percentage, it would be about seventy-eight percent true” (Horn Book Magazine). The book was published September 12 in 2007. Over 10 years later, the humor is still funny and it is pretty relatable. The author, Sherman Alexie, grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation and is best known for writing stories and films about his experiences as an Indigenous American. For this book specifically, he changed few details by making it more humorous to fit the category for young adult fiction. The overall plot of the book is a young teen named Arnold Spirit Jr. who lives on an Indian reservation and feels the whole world is against him. Born with birth defects easily prone to seizures and suffering from a stutter, he was raised by alcoholic parents who had very little to nothing money income. Junior was constantly bullied and to escape from this, Junior was passionate about drawing cartoons. After a talk with an important figure at school, Junior realizes he has to get out of the reservation. Junior transferred to an all-white high school called Reardon High School. There and then he faces even more bullying and tragedies in his life, from being called a traitor by his own people to important people in his life dying. Despite all this, Junior continued to draw cartoons and used humor to get over all the hardships and eventually found himself no longer feeling like an outcast. The most compelling part of the book was the characters. Overall, the characters were well developed. Every character has their own unique and distinct personality. I sometimes find myself confused or lost when a book has so many characters and very little information on them. However, Sherman Alexie was able to establish each character memorably. On another note, I wish more historical context of each character were provided, I really wanted to know more about the mysterious, drunk Eugene (when you read the book, you’ll know exactly what I mean). Sherman Alexie seemed to have put a lot of thought into the making of this book. Reading the book, everything flowed perfectly. The introduction of himself and his family to the transition of how life is like on the reservation then to Reardon High including all the hardships he had to face, the transitions were so smooth. I never found myself lost while reading this book. The book was not predictable at all, it is for sure an intriguing and original piece. While reading the book, there were few things that may seem controversial to other readers. There were few accounts where profanity and sexual references were used. The book also discusses alcohol, abuse, and bullying related to mental disabilities several times. However, I think all these controversial topics are important to learn about because it’s real life. In life, people use profanity, alcoholics exist, and those with mental disabilities do suffer from bullying. Topics like these make the book relatable in a way and the audience can have a good laugh from the dark humor. The overall message of the book appears to be a message of how important it is to have hope. Even if it seems like you are doomed to fail, you should have a positive hope and outtake for everything and you’ll achieve to what once seemed to be the impossible. From reading this, I have learned some of the few hardships of many that Native-Americans who live on reservations may have. I was close-minded to all the stereotypical things about Native-Americans to realize things like the stories in the book mentioned can actually happen. A reader can take away the hardships of a Native-American teenager who wants to live two lives as Junior from the Rez and as Arnold from Reardon High School. I would recommend teenagers in high school and young adults to read Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, the book would be most humorous and relatable to those in that age group. In addition, the book is a great tool to become open-minded of the issues that Natives who live in reservations must face. I would not recommend to younger children or even teenagers in middle school because of the few controversial topics, such as the profanity and sexual references that younger children may not understand. I can image parents being not so happy with their 10-year-old kid asking what an erection is. I highly recommend for everyone (young adults and up) to read this book! It was very entertaining and eye-opening.

Sherman Alexie is one of the best YA writers around. His characters are relatable, deal with real world problems, and experience a wide range of emotions in 200 pages. Arnold Spirit went from being the weird kid on the reservation to finding his place in a predominately white school off the rez. This comes with all sorts of backlash from friends and family. After facing several tragedies, Arnold grows and becomes an even more realistic character. Parts of this story is based on Alexie's own life, but it's not hard to imagine Arnold as his own person. I know this book is challenged a lot in schools and libraries, which makes me incredibly sad. The diversity and real life issues Arnold faces should be explored and discussed by young people. That's how they learn empathy.

I stumbled on Reservation Blues a number of years ago and was just blown away by Sherman Alexie's writing, storytelling and just all around literary aura. This book, The Absolutely True Diary Of a Part-Time Indian was recommended to me by a member of my writer's group. As soon as he said the author's name, I remembered how much I had loved Reservation Blues, so I immediately went online and ordered it. SO glad I did! This book had so much heart, so much truth and yet humor all through it...and knowing that some, if not much, of it is autobiographical--well, I feel like I have a new friend; a funny, wise, kind friend who really knows how to wrap a reader around his writings. Can't recommend this book enough...or any of the other Alexie books you can get your hands on. Sending you a big hug, Sherman. I like you VERY much.

Arnold "Junior" Spirit comes of age on the Spokane Indian Rez and narrates a deeply personal story. I enjoyed the way the author's secondary characters evolved through his narrator's eyes as the tale developed. I read this book in three days - a page turner. And I rarely enjoy Young Adult. This one is full of humor, pathos, and plenty of plot. I saved two quotes for the review because of the way they resonated with me: "Yep. Even the weird boys are afraid of their emotions." "If you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing." I highly recommend this book to fans of young adult lit, anyone interested in the social and political aspects of reservation life, and to anyone who likes a good story.

I don’t think I’ve ever been more annoyed with a book before. I definitely would not support this author for the vile things he states and claims in this book.

This book reminds me a lot of Diary of a Wimpy Kid...if Greg Heffley's life were more unfortunate. Don't mistake, Junior, our narrator, is witty and charming in his delivery and will make you laugh; it's not depressing. However, it addresses the very real and dark struggles of First Nations people, past and present (not to mention that Junior also suffers from a disability, for which he is often bullied.) Just like many books that end up banned, I think this is an important read that dares to tackle uncomfortable issues, all while laughing through the pain.

Sherman Alexie's books are "must read" for anyone interested in Native American issues today. Alexie is a master of seeing humor in difficult circumstances. Many times, as I read this excellent book, I found myself pondering the deeper questions exposed by the irony. We can all use a dose of humility from time to time, and reading this book made me aware of the hypocracy of our European-American cultural narrative. Wouldn't it be nice if we actually followed our so-called principles, and isn't it great that people find ways to adapt and find meaning even in the face of massive injustice. But there is no justification for making it so hard. To make things better, we first need to understand what's wrong, and this book gave me much insight and food for thought and action. I read it several months ago and am still thinking about it. That's the sign of a top-notch book.

This is a coming-of-age story with a cultural twist, from the perspective of a Native American. It has been used in high schools but is controversial because of the use of swear words and the comments about masturbation. But I think it's popular in high school because students can identify with it. This is the sort of Catcher in the Rye of our time.

This is by far one of my favorite books that I have read in the past year. My boss actually suggested it since I work on a nonprofit that focuses on increasing the cultural relevance of school curriculum, so we are constantly on the lookout for books that challenge the stereotypical whitewashed society. This book hit the jackpot. Alexie masterfully tells the story of a young boy going through a teenage transition and questioning his path. It does not surprise me that this book was number one in 2014 for banned book requests, but that just means it is worth reading. This book is great for adults and adolescents alike, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a light hearted but philosophical read.

I chose this book because a city near where I live wanted it banned. This teacher wanted their 9 grade class to read and parents were furious saying it wasn’t “appropriate “ for their freshman child to read. Curiosity got me so I read the book and found it funny, sad, irritating when dealing with bullying, dealing with prejudice, death, anger, and true friendships. I think people need to read this book before banning it.

I had heard of Sherman Alexie but hadn’t read any of his books. Then I came across The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and thought I gotta read this. It was great and I cheered for Junior from the beginning of his story til the end. Great read!!!

Sherman Alexie is one of the greatest authors of all time. Let me explain this. He has the ability to speak TO YOU through his words. Every time I read one of his books, I feel like he's talking to me and telling me his life story. His writing always sucks me in from the first page. I always laugh and cry, because let's face it, he's funny, but the stories themselves are heartbreaking, and there is no doubt in my mind that the stories he tells are at least inspired by true events, and that breaks my heart even more. Alexie's unique voice, sarcastic sense of humor, and well-developed, unique cast of characters add to his engrossing plots to make unforgettable books. True Diary is no exception to that. True Diary is told from Junior's POV, and you can't help but feel sympathy for Junior right away. He was born with water on the brain, after all, and that's enough to make anyone feel bad for you... or call you names, depending on if you're in high school or not. Ahh the best years of your life, high school is not. Junior tells a story of poverty, heartbreak, love, and loss. He explains life on the reservation and lets people know that it's not anything like most people would expect. Junior's story is an inspiration to all of us, regardless of our backgrounds, because he never lets anything get him down. He fights for himself, for an education, and for a life. That sets him apart from the others on the reservation, and they judge him even more because he has ambitions. But Junior doesn't give up... he never gives up. Junior gets angry because his reservation school textbook is over 30 years old. He throws the book and gets suspended. The teacher isn't mad at him, however, and after giving Junior a pep talk, Junior decides to go to an all white high school so that he can actually get a good education. Junior's parents are too poor to get him there on most days, though, and he ends up walking over 20 miles there and 20 miles back just to get an education. His best friend from the reservation, Rowdy, hates him for leaving, and Junior feels all alone in this new world. At the white high school, Junior experiences blatant racism from the students, but he quickly shows them that he won't take their crap, and he actually makes some really good friends. He tries to hide how poor he is, but they find out. Instead of judging him, they try to help him. Throughout the novel Junior evolves, and the reader goes on this emotional journey of growing up with him. You can't help but root for Junior, and when things go wrong, you cry for him. The book isn't too serious, though, because Alexie is wonderfully sarcastic. I was torn between laughing and crying throughout the whole novel. Every single character in the book is well-developed. There are no cookie-cutter types... at least not from my perspective. Everyone is dynamic and unpredictable. Alexie does a terrific job of showing that no one's life is what it seems. There are many surprises, both good and bad in this novel. Nothing is straight-forward because people's lives aren't straight-forward. We're all complicated, and it's clear that Alexie understands that. The pacing of the book is excellent, and there isn't a single dull moment. There are a lot of events that happen throughout the novel to keep the reader engaged, and when something tragic or hilarious isn't happening, then Junior is drawing cartoons of how he sees things, which is pretty funny. I really loved the addition of the drawings to the text. It made the book that much richer. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a book that you do not want to miss. If you haven't read the novel yet, then you are missing out. If you've never read anything by Sherman Alexie before, then I am sad for you. You must get this book. You must read it now.

I bought this book because of its Native American topic. There's not a lot of novels that describe what it's like to grow up in abject poverty. Sherman Alexie knows his subject very well because he grew up on a reservation. I don't know what's more shocking about life on the rez: the total lack of perspective for the young, the level of alcoholism or the crazy violence. I like his astute, no-frills writing style that will give you unforgettably funny sentences. Because that's the thing about this story: despite the depressing subject, it's funny as hell. The drawings display the same sense of humor and play a vital part in the book. Even though this novel is heavy stuff, it's an extremely entertaining read. Sherman Alexie is now an established author, and I'm planning to check out more of his work.

I am a huge Alexie fan, having read most of his books. Ironically I discovered him because of the Indie movie "Smoke Signals", based on the interwoven short stories in the collection

He even took it on his family's vacation last week and read it in the airport instead of playing video games.

This book is banned across the country, but I find it to be silly. The story is written in first person. It tells the story of a high school boy who is struggling with his Native American culture. His conflict with trying to branch out from what the rest of the reservation does and going to an all white high school miles away. The book is very good, and I would recommend it to anyone. I had to read this book for my young adult literature class, and am so glad I got the opportunity to read this book.

This book is so funny. It’s genuinely very hilarious. But it is also incredibly poignant and painful. The amount of times my heart broke and made me laugh. Highly recommend and I cannot stop crying about it.

Something prevalent about educational texts in today's day and age lies in the fact that they are very often not explicitly promoting one idea or another but providing the scenario and allowing the audience to come to conclusions based on the atmosphere they themselves live in and the perspectives and cultural capital they come to the book with. Alexie's story, while confirmed fiction in certain parts, represents the very thing that can have the power to cut through boundaries, destroy disbelief, and slap ignorance in the face. Junior, the main character of Alexie's book, represents the type of figure that upon closer examination could be just about anyone at any specific time in their life. Junior represents that aspect of childhood/adolescence that is often forgot about or pushed to the way-side because of the more stereotypical outlooks on adolescence. The lessons that can be learned from this book from aspects such as education to relationships, from friendship and sorrow are immeasurable. Junior easily opens the eyes of the unknowing, melts the hearts of the cold, and expands the knowledge of all. Pick this book up for a good read, for an expansion of your knowledge of common Native American lifestyles, for the betterment of your own knowledge and ability to discuss racial and class distinctions. 5 Unevenly Incorporated Stars out of 5!

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian -by Sherman Alexie I admit it, I've ben in love with Sherman Alexie's writing for years. Especially his poetry. I don't know why it took me so long to read this book, but I now have and truly admit, I love it. Oh, there is a ** above, I'd best explain now, before I forget. I read this on my Kindle Fire, and there are several delightful illustrations, unfortunately, I could not expand them beyond postage stamp size, which is too bad, because they are wonderful. They are drawn by the protagonist, and add a great deal to the story. They should be seen full size. Mr. Alexie is a member of the Spokane Indian Tribe, and this is his story, with a few changes. The hero of the story, Arnold "Junior" Spirit, is a young man struggling to find himself, and decides to leave the reservation and attend a 'white' school in town. He is the only brown skinned student. And the poorest of the lot, but he has an upbeat attitude and earns acceptance from his white friends, and enmity from his Indian ones. This novel tells about those experiences, being half white while on the 'rez' and half Indian while at Reardon with a great sense of humor. Mr. Alexie is not afraid to tackle situations that the young people of today face, and he does it well. I can offer absolutely no hesitation in recommending this book. In fact, there are several study questions in the back, making this an ideal book for classroom reads. Arnold is a very likable protagonist, as are most of his friends. He is fourteen, hormones are beginning to rage through his veins, he's discovered girls, one in particular. He competes on the basketball court, and when Reardon plays Wellpinit, his old Indian school, he is booed and beaten by his ex teammates who think he's a traitor. The first game. The next game is a bit different. I laughed out loud in this book. Although I didn't cry, I was genuinely sad in a few places. I would love to have Arnold stop by for a visit, he's quirky, and fun, and not afraid of life. I strongly suspect Mr. Alexie is the same. I'd love to have him stop by for a visit, too. For a good read from twelve years on, buy and read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. I think it would make a great movie. Would love to see Studio Ghibli do something with it!

THIS AUTHOR SPEAKS THE TRUTH AND TELLS IT LIKE IT IS. NO SUGAR COATING. I LOVE HIM.

I bought this due to the fact that some of the area schools where trying to band this due to content. I wanted to know what was so wrong with this that high school students should not be reading it. So I read it and still can not figure out what is so bad. I loved it and felt like I was right there with them. I will be making this one of my few favorites.I loved how the writer told it from both points of view. He covered the poor Indian and the rich white well and equally. It is a great read for anyone that lives in the state of Washington. He gives a great look into life and how things were and still are like.

I read another Sherman Alexie book years ago and loved it so I was happy when this book was chosen for my book club. Although the story is very heartbreaking it is funny and heartwarming as well. Working in an ER very close to a Reservation in Washington I see first-hand the mindset and culture that Mr. Alexie describes in this book (having no self-worth and resignation to the poverty one is dealt). The quirky main character brings hope and pride to an otherwise dismal fate in life. I just wish the book hadn't ended so quickly!

...after you read this book: you will be changed for the better. Trust me--just read it, and take time to examine each drawing as it appears in text, also. A true work of art; no wonder it has won so many awards. Many thanks to whoever mentioned this title in a comment about another book I had read, or was thinking about reading. You made a difference.

This book is about stepping out of your comfort zone in order to achieve your dreams. It's about going against popular opinion and taking control of one's destiny. Junior is the first to leave his reservation. An extremely bright and intelligent student, Junior is frustrated by the current education he receives on his rez. After all, he discovers he is studying from the same text books which his mother once studied from. So, in one witty (yet courageous) moment, Junior decides to seek better education outside of of his rez, or in the "white-world." His reservation doesn't take this decision lightly. He is chastised and criticized for being a traitor. He even loses his best friend, Rowdy. In hindsight, Junior feels he doesn't fit in anywhere; he no longer fits in on the rez and, at first, he isn't accepted by his new white friends either. This book touches on controversial topics such as racism, sexual connotations, alcoholism, poverty, and death. It also emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and family. There is some language and sexual references, but overall, this book is fantastic! I really enjoyed Alexie's writing style and found this novel to be comical. This is the second time I have read it. I would recommend it to high school students or "mature" middle graders because of the sexual connotations. Lingering Thoughts: There were so many important life lessons in this book. One of the most touching moments in the novel to me was when Junior's coach is trying to convince Junior that he can take on his former basketball team. "I can do it," Junior said to his Coach, his teammates, to the world. "You can do it," Coach said. "I can do it." "You can do it." "I can do it." "[Junior is thinking] Do you understand how amazing it is to hear that from an adult? Do you know how amazing it is to hear that from anybody? It's one of the simplest sentences in the world, just four words, but they're the four hugest words in the world when they are put together." I really enjoyed that Alexie chose to portray the image of supportive parents, because so many young adolescent novels do not. I believe students will enjoy the drawings through out the novel. I believe they really add character to the novel and to Junior.

The narrator's adolescent voice provides an insightful perspective as he shares his experiences (both good and bad) dealing with challenging cultural and family issues. This book is very thought provoking, but the sarcasm and humor of the narrator keep it from being dark. I was literally laughing out loud at times because the narrator's story-telling style is so enjoyable. A good read for adults who want to explore the topic of cultural differences and similarities during the already-challenging adolescent years.

I wanted to read this book after learning that some schools have banned it from their libraries. I was curious about what could be so offensive to children in such an innocent sounding book. Now that I've read it I am ambivalent because the book tells the story of a young Indian boy who lives on a reservation and explains his daily interactions with his Indian peers. He was born with water on the brain and is commonly teased about it. His best friend, Rowdy, is also his only friend and even Rowdy believes in tough love. His home life is difficult, his father an alcoholic, but he feels love from his parents. The part-time Indian reference is from his decision to go to the white school outside the rez where more scorn is heaped upon him everyday. There are bright spots though and I came away feeling that the book accurately depicts life among teenagers who are trying to find their identity and place in the world. There is language that could be shocking to some but again pretty typical for the age of the characters. I recommend it highly to adults and young readers who are mature enough to understand it.

When is a YA novel not truly a YA novel? Perhaps when it transcends the conventions of the genre to become a pointed critique of race and socioeconomic class. Or when it is written with such honesty and humor that it feels (absolutely) true rather than fictional. Or when the book is done and you think, “I want to stay in this book some more!” Sherman Alexie’s novel achieves of all these ends and more. Narrated by Arnold/Junior Spirit, “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” defies classification. It is most assuredly semi-autobiographical, its opening lines recall that most classic Bildungsroman “David Copperfield” (whereas David was born with a mystical caul, Junior was born “with water on the brain”), and the story is told through both words and illustrations, although it is not actually a graphic narrative. The hybrid nature of the story reflects Arnold/Junior’s hybrid identity. Although it would be quite pointless to try to trace a typical “plot” within this book, Arnold/Junior’s stories create a narrative synergy that resonates with meaning and truth. It might be most accurate to sum up the “plot” of this narrative by describing it as Arnold/Junior’s quest for his identity—and he often comments upon this very issue throughout his journey from the rez in Wellpinit to his high school in the white town of Reardan, the “hometowns” to which Alexie dedicates the book. But the book is so much more than that, as it poignantly depicts the struggles of Junior’s entire community and the multiple demons—poverty, alcoholism, hopelessness—that confront them every day. Despite the grim nature of many of the events in the novel, Alexie imbues the tale with a genuine sense of joy and hope. This book is a monumental achievement, suitable for all readers, YA or otherwise.

I bought this book for my daughter as a Christmas gift. I have not read it but it looks of good quality.

Just a great book. Read it before judging it!!

I love Sherman Alexie's voice - I've loved his writing and movies for a long time, so I was excited to finally read this book. It is a fabulous book - I can see why it won the awards it did - a must-read! Handles issues of race issues, adolescent boys, high-school, friendships, family, etc in a humorous and sensitive way. I will recommend this to all of my students to read with a caution of some mature concepts. Mini-Review originally posted on Heise Reads & Recommends

This book should not be a recommendation for young readers and as an adult I disnt find this book a good read at all. I found it disgusting and offensive. The child in the book doesn't believe in God and mocks him by thanking him for his fingers for masturbation purposes.

This is a funny, touching thought provoking semi-true story about a young man straddling 2 worlds and beginning to fell like he doesn't fit in either. His innate intelligence will help him get far but each step forward is away from his family. But his grandma seems to understand and be in his corner.

Beautifully honest human life examination of a young person striving toward self actualization and acceptance. Profoundly important, funny, sad and emotionally true! Enjoyed it immensely.

If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh through your tears, this is it. Alexie is honest, funny and totally devoid of self pity as he describes--in what must be a partly autobiographical book, the challenges of being a part-time resident of the rez while more or less fitting in at the high school in town. The narrator's resilience leaves the reader with some hope for the future of at least this "part-time Indian."

Sherman Alexie is such an outstanding writer that it would be a shame to keep him a secret among young adult readers. When I read this book I felt as though I was able to cup my hands and peer through the window of a neighbor's house, allowed to see things I had often wondered about. He portrays thoughts and feelings behinds events. I checked with Indian co-workers about the accuracy of the portrayal of reservation life, and they confirmed it is right on target. A must read for youth and adults.

I’m in love with this book. It’s so real and funny and emotional. I made everyone that I know read it

This was the first Sherman Alexie book I ever read and I was totally blown away. I could not believe that I was crying with laughter while my heart was breaking from the misery in his life. This book is absolutely incredible and should be mandatory reading in all schools. It is a part of our society that we just seem to turn a blind eye to. There is no better way of coming to terms with it than by reading this book. I couldn't get it out of my head for months after I finished it and it touched me on a very profound level.

I loved this book. A look into the life of a Native American teenager on the reservation. Humerous, insightful and touching. Wonderful illustrations.

This book is not just for kids, I am an old person , a dO laugh so much h that I wanted my husband to read this ., And how true of what he wrote, I've mermaids like his story. Cookbooks

This is the third book of Sherman Alexie's I have read, another rich experience. A coming of age story of a young man trying to appease his Native culture while bravely facing a future of hope ...if only he can reach out and hold onto it. Other readers will not be disappointed. If they are, they have a hole in their soul.

Awesome book: I read it after she was finished!

This is a really exciting book. A fine coming-of-age story that gives a perspective on the Native American experience and also showcases what it is like to be a creative person in the midst of "ordinary" folk with no such aspirations. Funny, original, charming and poignant. A young adult novel that can be appreciated and enjoyed by adults as well as the target audience.

Whatever your age, whatever your social standing, this book should be on your reading list. Arnold Spirit is witty, honest, and unapologetic about life on the rez and stepping outside social and comfort boundaries alone for the sake of his future. People often say a book will make you "laugh and cry", but this one... this one really will. if you've never been on a native reservation, it will open your eyes to the heart tearing truth of what it all too often is like. But this isn't just a story about a "part time Indian". Readers will find a little bit of Arnold's Spirit exists in all of us, and we deserve to know we aren't alone. Life can bring tragedy. Sometimes more than it seems possible to handle. However, even I'm the midst of the deepest pain, we can find hope, reasons to laugh, and ways to smile. In fact, it's necessary. This book is charming, moving, and will awaken tears from even the hardest souls. Pick it up. Read it. It's worth every penny.

A beautiful, funny, heart-breaking work of art. I recommend it to anyone who wants a better understanding of life for Native Americans. Actually, I recommend it to everybody.

I found this book poignant, stirring, and hilarious. Mr. Alexi hurled me right back to those awkward early teen years when I wasn't sure who I was or what I was meant to be. It was great to be able to relate to the main character in that way even though I wasn't teased half as much as he was, nor was I beaten up. Despite some of the crude content, I loved this book and find myself going back to read a snippet or two whenever I need a good laugh.

"I laughed, I cried".....and I really appreciated the picture Alexie (a wonderful and intuitive writer) painted of a modern Native American high school student. Many of my students are walking the same tightrope and it isn't easy. It often isn't pretty and it certainly takes an incredible amount of courage to be on both roads during adolescence.

I picked up this book based largely on the recent controversy, and I'm glad I did. I can't even imagine what could have so many people up in arms about this book other than an agenda to hide the truth about the prejudice and anguish that still remains a part of everyday life on many Indian reservations. Alexie does a wonderful job of exploring the conflict inside a young man who is forced to choose between creating a better life for himself and remaining true to his community of birth.... Even though that community often shuns him. I think many young people can relate to this, not only on the basis of teenage emotional growing pains, but also as it relates to feeling like an outcast even surrounded by people exactly like you. Never mind banning it... This should be on the required reading list.

This book made me feel every emotion I knew, and then some! It made me laugh, cry and think. It is an excellent piece of literature that I highly recommend to anyone over 12. Despite the books greatness, this book is pg-13 or even R at some times. The main character is a 15 year old boy who talks about sex, masturbation, and how sexy his girlfriend is. There is swearing but it is fine for children 12 and up. A must read and I highly recommend it.

I'm middle aged and this book is intended for a young adult audience, but I love Sherman Alexie's writing and wanted to give it a read. This is the third book of Alexie's that I've read and I enjoy his style and writing voice. The story is great, very reader-friendly and fast moving. Drawings/sketches add to the fun of the overall experience of reading the book. Liked this one a lot, though for my age group, some of his other works are more fitting.

This was a beautiful book. It was witty and comedic, and was heart-wrenching in other moments. Overall, I loved the character's tenacity and persistence, and thought that the way the author went about writing this story was the perfect way to describe the life of a teenage boy on a reservation. It was insightful and beautiful, and an all around great book.

This is well worth the read. Informative and funny as well. I highly recommend it.

The book touches on a lot of sensitive and taboo topics for some people. It talks about the struggles of being a minority. You get to see that experience through the eyes of a teen boy struggling to grasp all these different things.

I loved this book. It was a required read for my college englush comp class so i wasnt too sure about it. It was a really well written story and i love it!

Relatable and raw. It made me laugh out loud throughout the story, and it also made tears stream down my face. A well-rounded read that I would recommend to any young adult or adults who love to read young adult fiction like me.

Tongue in cheek reflection of a young man growing up in the Native American culture. A perfect read for grown ups wanting to understand both the culture and age group. This light heart tale is fact filled and full of symbolism that only a person who had walked the walk could tell.

This book is very interesting and I am enjoying it. The book itself arrived quickly and in good shape.

I discovered Alexie late in his career and my life and am now reading everything I can get my hands on. Fabulous insightful writer!

Bueno

I had read this book for class but i ended up loving this book seeing how real the narrator is.

Amazing work. I had admired the movie Smoke Signals for years but never made the connection. I laughed and I teared up. The cartoons add so much to this story as well. Touching and funny, with some great insights. I'm moving on to his other books. Highly recommended.

I read this book for a Lit class I had to take and it was funny...I'm not sure how appropriate it is for young kids...not even sure that I would want my son to read it, but it did have me laughing out loud. There were several parts that caught me off guard, but I enjoyed the book none the less!

The travails of a teen aged Spokane Indian boy, and how he finds the inner strength to escape the oppressive environment of the reservation is both humorous and heart wrenching. Told in the first person, the reader is introduced into the alcoholic, dysfunctional world of modern Native-Americans, living on reservations, and how they relate to each other and the white world around them. It is a tale of personal triumph over overwhelming adversity, that makes the protagonist unlikely hero who invokes the sympathy and admiration of the reader.

An eye-opening story about the plight of our Native Americans & the hopelessness of reservations. Funny, engaging, & profoundly convicting.

It shipped quickly and is an excellent book.

My 14 year old finished book in 3 days and she is not an avid reader. She gets so bored reading and never finishes book. I was so curious that I read book when she was done. It was an easy entertaining read. Would recommend book for any teenager.....and adult :-)

One of the great Sherman Alexie's best books. His main character is complex just like a real teenager. Many teens can relate to being thought of as odd or an outcast. Alexie has a raw but gripping way of creating characters, settings, and plots that mirror the real world.

This is another great book by author Sherman Alexie! He is easily the best Native American writer whose works I have read. It is story true to the experiences his own Native American roots, while equally relevant for all readers,young and old...

Great book and just as good quality product. Not much to say about it. I bought this for a class in college and it was exactly what I needed.

This book made me laugh & cry. I had to read it for a culturally diverse teaching class and I would recommend it to anybody!!! I got the electronic edition and loved looking at the cartoons that were drawn in there as well. I would have liked the audio edition but then I would have missed out on the pictures. There are also interviews with the author and artist at the end in this edition. GREAT!!

Since I have a passion for reading and writing I decided to join a book club in my school, when my teacher of the program introduced this book to me and I started reading it I automatically just fell in love with the witty humor contained. I didn't get to finish it that same day but when I went home the day after, I bought the book for my kindle fire and was determined to finish it. I truly liked everything that this book had to offer, it kept me entertained the whole time,page by page. I do hope Sherman Alexie continues to write much more books because I do plan on reading all of it

Great beach read for a thoughtful person. Easy to fly through but carries a lot of emotional depth and snarky humor. Perfect for those of us who like to learn and talk about race and culture.

If you know a young person 12 or older, you must get this book for them. It doesn't matter if they are male or female. I really FELT the heavy load he carried along with the awkwardness of him. And, I deeply felt the weightlessness tinged with fear at the end.

Sherman Alexie's book and Ellen Forney's drawings are really a national treasure. This is a splendid coming-of-age story, brutal in its honesty, but also funny and life-affirming. It's a fast and compelling read, and I recommend it highly.

My students read the whole book before they were required to do so. This book has created such a thirst for more books, it’s beyond my budget!!

Our book club chose to read "anything by Sherman Alexie," and then we would each share which book we chose and what we liked about it. My friend chose "Flight" which I quickly borrowed from my library and read in one sitting. It was that good. I couldn't put it down. I decided right then that I loved how Sherman Alexie wrote and bought this one for my Kindle. Another great book and one that I keep comparing other books to see if I love them as much as I love Mr. Alexie's writing. I will be reading all he has to offer.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was very well written and very interesting. It brought to life the differences that still plague Native Americans everywhere. I look forward to reading more from Sherman Alexei.

This is one of the best books I've ever read.After finishing it I saw it said Young Adult but it's not, it's for everyone. I can't say enough great things about the book and how much I enjoyed it. Everyone can learn something from this beautiful story.

It has been awhile since I have enjoyed a book so much. Sherman Alexei is Avery talented writer. I enjoyed this book very much. It is a honest funny and moving portrayal of life on a Native American Reservation.

Sherman Alexie never met a genre he could not master, and this YA offering proves this yet again. He reveals much of his own painful youth while relating the joys and losses accompanying his eventual escape from his beginning in poverty and racism on a reservation in Washington State. This novel honestly and searingly exposes once again the long-lasting effects of the colonization and genocide experienced by the First Peoples of the Americas. These are truths that must be faced for the benefit of all Americans, particularly American Indian children still living on reservations.

I have devoured many of the books by the talented and sardonic Sherman Alexie. His writing is something not found easily and I am a huge fan! I met him in Seattle and he is a genius.

What a great story and so well told. I highly recommend this book for everyone to read. I just bought it again for my husband's Kindle and he is enjoying it as well.

I could not put this book down. I always say a good book makes you gasp, laugh and cry. This book does all that and more.

This lovely, wonderful, amazing book steeps the reader in the life of a 14 year old by as he expands his horizons from his Salish/Spokane tribal culture on the rez to his cross-cultural experience at an all white small town high school. The writing is flat out marvellous. The experience of this book is hilariously heart-breaking and heartbreakingly hilarious. It is a young adult novel (perhaps middle school + is its ideal target audience?) but no adult should miss this. If you or your child appreciated Wonder by Palacio, this is perhaps chronologically the next step.

Good

This is a roller coaster of an adolescent story.

So good

This is an AR book that I found looking for books for my classes to read. Wow! This was not at all the kind of book I thought it would be. One minute I was laughing my butt of and the next I was crying. While I would not suggest it for anyone not in high school (and possibly a worldly upperclassmen at least), I would recommend as eye opening look at the experiences of a population that live just below the radar of most Americans. Good read, thought provoking read. It will stay with me for awhile.

alexia writes like nobody else...especially about the native experience...this is not a watered down version, and it holds your focus...a sense of humor as well.

One of the best reads. Having my teens read it.

A fictional autobiography-- a really good young adult book. The ambivalence of staying on the reservation or leaving it is a major theme. Alexie decides that, to save himself, he must leave the reservation and be the only Indian at a white school.

I loved the characters and the whole struggle but the ending made me want to throw my kindle out the window. I wanted to know more about his life because the book was so good and I didn't want it to end. This book is amazing!! It's hilarious but at the same time it made me cry at a few points. The book moves along so smoothly as well and when you realize the book actually ended, it's like a smack in the face... I'm still coping with the fact that I know absolutely nothing about his life after the book ends, but it's fine... I guess. I'd recommend this book to anyone!!

Such a good story about the tragic way our ancestors treated the American Indians. Now I don't feel quite so bad when I make my donations at our local Indian Casino! (smirk)

Have you ever had that very strange, almost transcendent experience where you're laughing and crying at the same time and tears are running down your flushed face while you grapple for a solid breath? Well, read this book, and that's 99.9%-guaranteed to happen. I honestly believe anyone would love this book. Kids. Teenagers. Adults. Indians. White folk. Part-time-mixed-race-whoevers. Sherman Alexie has bequeathed us with a hilarious and endearing voice through his protagonist Junior. I've never been so simultaneously horrified, touched, and entertained in my life. This is a coming-of-age story for the ages, and I promise you won't regret picking it up.

Good read for the younger age reader

This book had me both laughing and crying nearly every other page. It was tender, real, and deep. I look forward to reading more of Sherman Alexie's works!

I was forced to read this book as a school assignment and at first I was skeptical but as I read on and on I got sucked in. Overall it was a very good book and only took me about 4 hours to read

Great book -- couldn't put it down and read it in one day. Don't have anything to add, except that I think its a great book for teenagers. It's the kind literature to develop empathy. Definitely recommend.

Very interesting book! Well written and thought provoking.I laughed and felt very sad at times. I think young adults should read this book.

I enjoyed everything about this book. Sherman Alexie's writing style is so unique. There is no other YA book similar to this one. I plan to read more by this author.

I loved this book. I am having my 4th grade daughter read it now. There is so much for her and I to talk about once she's read it. I look forward to talking about American Indians, alcoholism, families, our educational system and the life of typical middle school boys.

Sherman Alexie is an authentic voice as a writer of Native American works. I have several of his books. Each is different. Each is great (including this one.)

Sherman has a magical way of drawing a scene, a time, a place, and characters that resonate. The dialog is always smart and true-to-life. He can make you laugh and cry at the same time. He's a genius.

I loved this book! It was a fun and easy read, and made me laugh and cry. I bought it, as it was a recommended book to read for people in the PacNW, and I'd recommend others do the same.

This boom is beautifully written and illustrated. It has just the right balance of humor and angst. It shows the balance of living in multiple "worlds" and makes you hope that Junior finds that balance.

the content of this book is real and touching.

I believe all teens should read and see they are not alone in how they feel, how they see themselves. Its okay to disagree with the majority.

Playfully written from a "childs" perspective that is authentic but not overly distracting or frustrating for the more advanced reader. Pre-teens & teens would love this book, it connects with almost any reader and pulls on a wide array of common ground for any age or decent. One minute this book will have you laughing out loud (to the consternation of librarians) and crying the next. Highly recommend this life changing book.

Excellent read!

My son loved this book for this English class.

Having a background in the area where it was written, and having a good knowledge of the people the book was written about, I thought it was absolutely true. I will be reading his other books,but they are probably not as good as good. This was wonderful book.

Fast shipping! My daughter had to read this for an ELA class and she liked it.

Rarely do I I laugh out loud and have to hold back tears from heartache, all in the same book. A must - read not just for teens, but for anyone who wants to experience a great story.

The humor, the characters you come to root for, the illustrations, the wisdom and, like all good novels, the journey to other places. In this case, the Spokane Indian Reservation and the white high school off the "res."

So beautify written it is raw and painful. It is filled with hope and hopelessness. I want to reread it immediately.

It's a young adult novel that gives insight to diversity in a raw way. At times I was surprised by the inappropriate humorous point-of-view of the main character Junior /Arnold thinking "How can I read this book aloud to my reluctant readers I my classroom". I guess those parts of the book will be read silently by my students.

My favorite of Sherman Alexie, The characters are genuine, the writing captures a life worth knowing about. It's a great book, and I'm actually re-reading it right now.

I'm reading this with an adult perspective, but this book still made me laugh and cry. Sherman Alexie is one of the most gripping authors I've ever read, and his book is heartfelt, raw, and beautiful.

I loved this for many reasons! Mostly my attention span sucks if something isn't holding it tight like this book did. Also, as much as I loved Harry Potter (and I am an older gal)cI didn't have to read and read and read to get there. LoL..what can l say? I'm telling the truth. Wonderful writing Mr. Alexis, you made my childhood look like a trip to Disneyland. I really loved these boys and wanted to adopt Rowdy and give him a chance. His anger reminds me of my sister. I'm ranting. Thanks again...

This book was written for adolescents, but is food-for-thought for all ages. Laced with whimsical drawings, the book tackles serious matters with humor and depth. All in all, a thoughtful, highly entertaining book.

I did not expect to enjoy the book as much as I did. It's an insightful, entertaining, moving look at adolescence, contemporary life on an Indian reservation, and the power of dreams, talent, youth, love - in equal measure, to deliver hope and redemption. A great read for all ages(of readers).

Sherman Alexie gives an amazing account of how it feels to be different. He exposes the truth behind young minds, emotions and behavior. The Indian backstory provides the landscape for feeling what he felt. As a white guy that has spent decades with Indians, I related to every challenge he described on the Rez and the way Indians feel about whites.

The voice is amazing and, yes, if you can look past the "objectionable" content, it will make you laugh, chuckle, tear up, and maybe even cry. Well worth the read, in my opinion.

Excellent story of a young person struggling to find his place in the world. I think teenagers would find this story very relevant.

I read that some parents thought this book should not be read by their High school age children,all I can say is that I feel sorry for those children,this book should be REQUIRED reading for all school age children.

Sherman Alexie's writing is amazing! This book, though based on some true and sad realities for Native American's, was hilarious and a pure pleasure to read. I highly recommend it!

LOVE this book. Great read and his style allows one to gain insight into what makes so many of our NA community members' experience of this world different from those of us who were raised "main stream"...

I purchased this book for my 14-year-old nephew. When it arrived, I looked it over, and then decided to read some of it. Some of it turned into all of it--I couldn't put it down. It is a wonderful book. Be aware there are some mature themes raised (masturbation, death...), but all within context of a teenage boy's experience. I highly recommend this book.

This is a quick, interesting, easy read and I enjoyed every minute of it. I love the authors wit and the way he can break your heart and make you smile all in the same sentence.

Wonderful book great for teens and adults alike,

Heart warming, sad, and funny all in one. Great reading material for many reading personalities. A book that can make you laugh, cry, and sympathize with the writer as he says you will.

Daughter is reading for school

This was required reading for me, but I'm glad. I throughly enjoyed reading this book. I becamed involved with the characters, it was simple to read and very appropriate for the young adult reader and older.

I love this book so much. It’s a must-read for any age.

Good young reader book, even if you're not indigenous.

It’s one of those books you just don’t want to put down.

I had to read this for a college course. It was not something I ever would've picked out on my own. That said, the book was excellent. It was engaging and enlightening.

While not the ideal age group for this book, I was often surprised by the ease and honesty of the narrator for this tale. This character ~ from the very first page~ was young, hungry, and often still raw in his experiences. Often, he didn't want anything until a sudden choice allows for [an opportunity] to do more. I believe it's really hard to write a book directly from teenage--experience. So, it was nice to see one come alive, here, and remain true to his experiences until the final closing pages.

Just finished it 10 seconds ago. So good. I hope Arnold grew up to have a great life. Now that the book is done, I will miss him

I had to read this book for an English course. It was very enjoyable and had relatable moments. Some of the entries are a little bizarre, but the concept of the book helps make you better understand the main character.

It was a summer reading assignment for an English class and it is a super story that fosters good class room discussions. If you have not read it, make sure you that pick up a copy of this book.

Defintely YA, but a good read, entertaining but sad in parts, has great illustrations

Pretty good book nothing crazy as in big words or hard to understand I would of never bought the book if my class didn't require it but a good book glad to have read it good ending....

This advanced middle school book is a fast, fun and meaningful read about taking charge of your life, choosing your destiny, making / losing / re-finding friends. the characters voice comes through loud and clear.

Ok

I absolutely loved this book! Being a pale white person who doesn't know a lot about Native Americans this book is such an eye-opener (in a good way) that shows life may not all it be cracked up to be on a reservation.

Great book!! I read it in two days because it was funny and sad. I really enjoyed this book.