The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Author: Sherman Alexie

Reading level: Young Adult

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Rated 10/10

The book that launched Sherman Alexie onto the YA market is now available in a deluxe collector's edition! Beautifully designed with a gifty new look that includes a foil-stamped, die-cut slipcase and 4-color interior art, this edition is perfect for fans and collectors alike.

In his nationally acclaimed, semi-autobiographical YA debut, author Sherman Alexie tells the heartbreaking, hilarious, and beautifully written story of a young Native American teen as he attempts to break free from the life he was destined to live.

MY REVIEW
Awesome book, it's one of the funniest and saddest books I have ever read. This book made me want to cry and laugh at the same time. I can't relate to Junior in the Native American sense breaking free from the rez, but I can relate to him in the sense of breaking free from the group and what is expected of you. This book is totally different than the books I usually read but I am glad I'm starting to break out of my bubble. It  has some really funny little drawings that helps make the story feel more complete too. Junior is a 14 year old Native American boy who lives on the Spokane Reservation. He's best friends with Rowdy, the toughest kid on the rez. But on the first day of his freshman year at school he realizes that he wants more than what the school on the rez can ever give him. So Junior decides that he could get a better education if he goes to the white school in the next town over, 22 miles away, at Reardan. It's a town full of white people and most are racist. All the natives on the rez look at Junior as a traitor and mock and shun him, including Rowdy. In this book Junior finds acceptance and realizes his dreams, even though his life will never be like the kids at Readan he doesn't care. He finds happiness even though the people he loves and cares for are dying and realizes he just wants to live life outside the rez even though he loves his tribe a lot. It's a story of breaking free and becoming an individual and living life your own way, not what's expected of you.