The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian


I have read Sherman Alexie’s The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian a couple times before.  I read this book once in high school and once in college.  For me the text was always interesting to read.  Knowing that the book took place partially at Reardan High School was the most exciting thing for me when I was first introduced to the book.  I grew up in Ritzville and we played sports against the Reardan team; so, I knew many students from there.  I knew a few students who went to school in Reardan and were part of their Native communities as well.  I was eager to read the book and see what perspectives were in there that aren’t always mentioned by those one knows.

I enjoyed reading the book.  I know it was semi-biographical book but it was well written.  Every time I pick the book up, I am never left disappointed.  There are things that make you wonder what is the truth and what maybe was embellished in the way he doesn’t hold back anything in his writing.  The way he talks about his experiences help raise real issues for Native Americans throughout the country and not just from his reservation.  I have taken a Native American Studies course here at EWU and learned a lot in reference to the way Junior was treated by both his peers at school and the community on the reservation.  Many times, some students from Reservations have the struggle with going outside their home community for school because there is the fear of losing their Native culture.  Then once they have gone out and try to go back into the Native community they are not always seen as being part of the community anymore and are an outsider.

I would teach this text in the classroom.  There are so many things that can be done in lessons with this text.  One could even link it with other texts that were written in similar fashion about other cultures in the world and how to “fit in”.

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