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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (2007) (edit title/settings)

by Sherman Alexie (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

In his first book for young adults, bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town... read more

Summary edit see section history

Arnold Spirit is a young Native American boy who grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation in poverty. He is a 14 year-old high school freshman who was born with a disability that could have prevented him from succeeding, but academically and athletically he excelled. On the first day of... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Arnold Spirit is a young Native American boy who grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation in poverty. He is a 14 year-old high school freshman who was born with a disability that could have prevented him from succeeding, but academically and athletically he excelled. On the first day of Arnolds' freshmen year at Wellpinit High School, something life changing happened. He was in Geometry class, got his book and saw that his mother used this exact same book 30 years ago. He grew angry, threw the book at his teacher and was suspended. Later, Mr.P the teacher who he threw the book at, told Arnold that he needed to leave the Reserve and take his hope where others had hope too. He wants him to make something of himself and not be beaten down by the poverty and low standards that exist on the reservation.
This was a huge turning point for Arnold and he decided to transfer to Reardan High School, an all-white, off reservation high school. When he tells Rowdy, who is his best friend of his decision, Rowdy gets angry and disowns him like the rest of the community. When he arrives there he knows that he is the only Native American, besides the school mascot, and is all alone. Arnold experiences outright racism and ends up punching the school jock which gains their respect. This is a defining moment where Arnold realizes that there is a different set of rules at Reardan and he sets out to understand more of these rules, in order to be successful there. Arnold become a top athlete, scholar, and is considered popular among his fellow classmates, but only at the expense of the condemnation of his reservation community.
Throughout Arnolds’ life he suffers many losses. One night a couple of people were drunk driving and Arnolds’ Grandma is killed. Soon after, Arnolds’ fathers’ best friend and his sister die in alcohol-related incidents. These deaths bring about a significant realization for Arnold because he sees the negative effects that alcohol can have on people. At this point Arnold makes a promise to himself to never become an alcoholic. After Arnold finishes his freshmen year at Reardan, he and Rowdy are reunited. Arnold hopes that one day his tribe would also forgive him for leaving the reservation.

Characters edit see section history

  • Arnold Spirit (AKA Junior): The main character, Arnold Spirit (known on the Rez as Junior), who wants to do something with his life but faces many pressing issues concerning race, poverty, alcoholism, and hope. Tries hard to do the right things. He has had to overcome medical problems, loves to play basketball, and is incredibly smart.
  • Rowdy: This character is very hot headed but at the same time nice but only with his friend Arnold and nobody else. He gets beat by his parents and that's probably why he is so angry all the time.
  • Eugene: Arnold's Dad's close friend that owns a mortorcycle and also an Indian.
  • Mary Spirit (Mary Runs Away): Arnold's big sister who likes to write and ran away and got married.
  • Penelope: Prettiest girl at Rearden High, a girl that Arnold likes.
  • Roger: Popular basketball player from Rearden and is one of Arnolds friend.
  • Grandma Spirit: Arnold's grandmother how has been all over, and gives great advice to Arnold.
  • Gordy: Arnold's best friend from Rearden since he moved from schools. a very geeky person
  • Coach: An outspoken basketball coach, who is demanding at times, but fair. Very strict.
  • Arnold Spirit Sr.: Arnold Spirit Sr. is Arnold's father. He is a drunk, but tries to provide for Arnold as best he can
  • Arnold's Mom: very loveable person who cares a lot about Arnold.
Show all 11 characters
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “When I was eight, nine, and ten, I slept in my bedroom closet with the door closed. I only stopped doing that because my big sister, Mary, told me that I was just trying to find my way back into my mother's womb. That ruined the whole closet thing.”
  • “God, this-kid was an eighty-year-old literature professor trapped in the body of a fifteen-year-old farm boy.”
  • “If you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing.”
  • “You've been fighting since you were born. You fought off the brain surgery. You fought off those seizures. You fought off all the drunks and drug addicts. You kept your hope. And now, you have to take your hope and go somewhere where other people have hope.”
  • “I always knew that you were going to leave us behind and travel the world. I had a dream about you a few months ago. You were standing on the Great Wall of China. You looked happy. And I was happy for you.”
  • “No, poverty only teaches you how to be poor.”
  • “We didn't keep score.”
  • “'Grief (n.): When you feel so helpless and stupid that you think nothing will ever be right again, and your macaroni and cheese tastes like sawdust, and you can't even jerk off because it seems like too much trouble.'”
  • “There is nothing better than a chicken leg when you haven't eaten for (approximately) eighteen-and-a-half hours. And believe me, a good piece of chicken can make anybody believe in the existence of God.”
  • “I think chicken dancers are cool because, well, they dance like chickens. And you already know how much I love chicken.”
  • “Let me repeat that: MR. P SOMETIMES FORGETS TO COME TO SCHOOL! Yep, we have to send a kid down to teachers' housing compound behind the school to wake Mr. P, who is always conking out in front of his tv.”
  • “Come home, Dad. I am home. Misery is my home.”
    Junior to his dad.
Show all 12 quotes from this book

Setting & Locations edit see section history

First Sentence edit see section history

I was born with water on the brain.

Table of Contents edit see section history

The Black-Eye-of-the-Month Club
Why Chicken Means So Much To Me
Revenge Is My Middle Name
Because Geometry Is Not a Country Somewhere Near France
Hope Against Hope
Go Means Go
Rowdy Sings the Blues
How to Fight Monsters
Grandmother Gives Me Some Advice
Tears of a Clown
Halloween
Slouching Towards Thanksgiving
My Sister sends Me an E-mail
Thanksgiving
Hunger Pains
Rowdy Gives Me Advice About Love
Dance, Dance, Dance
Don't Trust Your Computer
My Sister Sends Me a Letter
Reindeer Games
And a Partridge in a Pear Tree
Red Versus White
Wake
Valentine Heart
In Like a Lion
Rowdy and I Have a Long and Serious Discussion About Basketball
Because Russian Guys Are Not Always Geniuses
My Final Freshman Year Report Card
Remembering
Talking About Turtles

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 10 of 15 in 2009-2010 Iowa Teen Award. (authoritative list)
This book is in Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Nominees 2011. (community list)
This book is in Tayshas List (2008). (authoritative list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Sherman Alexie (Author)

Other Contributors:

  1. Ellen Forney (Illustrator)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Little Brown and Co.
Country: USA
Publication Date: 2007
ISBN: 0316013684
Page Count: 240

Awards edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

  • Library of Congress: PZ7.A382
  • Dewey: Fiction

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Young Adults

Some strong language and sexual notes, as well as drinking and eating disorders.

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
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  • Stargirl

Books Cited by This Book edit see section history

   
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  • Feed

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