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

Summary

Junior is a budding cartoonist who decides to leave the Spokane Indian reservation to attend high school in the nearest farm town, where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Despite difficulties, Junior’s wit and humor help him flourish, discovering strength and depth he didn’t know he possessed.

Booktalk

Even though he gets beat up every day, Junior is excited about the start of school and being able to take Geometry. He loves isosceles triangles. He’s excited that is, until he opens his text book, when it turns out to be the exact same book his mother had when she took Geometry. The exact same book! There is her name right in it. Her name before she married his dad. The book must be 30 years older than Junior! So he does what any passionate geometry student would do he goes off. He gets suspended, which gives him time to think. He realizes he has to leave the rez if he wants to get a decent education. He enrolls in the all white farm town school 22 miles away. Thus begins his career as a part time Indian. Find out how Arnold ( his off reservation name) does at Reardon High. Read Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.

230 pages, 6th grade and up

Discussion questions

Warning! Some of the questions contain key elements of the plot. Do not read if you don't want to know what happens!

  1. When Arnold starts at Reardon High he has a bit of a culture shock even though it’s only 22 miles for the reservation. Have you ever had that experience?
  2. Arnold says his parents are pretty good parents … “Sure, my dad has a drinking problem and my mom can be a little eccentric, but they make sacrifices for me. They worry about me. They talk to me.” And best of all they listen to me. What do you think? Are they good parents? How would you describe a good parent?
  3. Arnold says his grandmother’s most important quality is tolerance. Why did he say that? What quality is the most important in somebody you love and admire?
  4. Nobody is more surprised than Junior when he becomes popular at Reardon. What about him draws people to him?
  5. Poverty plays an important role in Arnold’s life. Does he experience things due to being poor that you never thought about?
  6. What did his drawings and cartoons contribute to the book? What does his drawing do for him?
  7. How are Junior’s friendships with Rowdy and Gordy different?
  8. This book has received more than 1 challenge suggesting it is not suitable for teens. What do you think? What would people find objectionable in the book?

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