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

In honor of Native American Heritage month, this week's book review showcases the work of Native American writer, Sherman Alexie. Alexie is a contemporary author who writes about the experience of being an American Indian. His works include: The Summer of Black Widows, Indian Killer, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, and War Dances. Stop by the library to find more books by Native American authors!

Alexie's book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian tells the story of Arnold Spirit, Jr. Junior is a smart but geeky kid, stuck in a hopeless Spokane Indian Reservation. He leaves the reservation to attend a nearby white school with the dream of getting a better education and ultimately a destiny different from that of his parents.

Life on the reservation is hard and his new classmates don't seem to understand what it feels like to always be ready for a fight. He's only 14, but he's been to 42 funerals already. Despite the tragedy in his life, Junior finds joy in the little things. He draws comics and makes it onto the varsity basketball team. When his new school has to play his old school, things get a little complicated. Will he ever adjust to life outside the reservation? And can the reservation adjust to one of their own leaving?