Thursday, August 17, 2017

The absolutely true diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie



Much of the first couple of chapters of this young adult novel were familiar to me from hearing Alexie speak at a PLA conference and at Washington University.  So much of it is painfully autobiographical. I can understand why this often-assigned novel is frequently challenged in schools – it pulls no punches and the language, teenage-boy grossness, and situations are realistic.  It treats these issues with honesty and humor.  Underneath the humor, though, is a great deal of justifiable anger.  I would hope that my grandson, now 11, will read this book in middle-school.  It is an eye-opening experience.  And funny and sad.  230 pp.

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