The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian

Alexie, S., & Forney, E. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian (p. 230). New York: Little, Brown.

Main Characters:

• ·         Arnold Spirit (Junior)
• ·         Rowdy (Arnold’s best friend)
• ·         Mom and Dad
• ·         Mary (Sister)
• ·         Grandma
• ·         Coach
• ·         Gordy
• ·         Penelope (Arnold’s girlfriend)
• ·         Roger

Themes: Poverty, Race, Friendship, Love and Identity

Summary:  Arnold Spirit is a boy that lives on the reservation (rez).  He was born with cerebral spinal fluid in his brain.  At school, he finds his mother’s name in a geometry textbook.  He gets to frustrated he throws the book at Mr. P’s face.  After school, Mr. P talks to Arnold and tells him he needs to leave the reservation to experience live and to never give up. The following day, Arnold transfer schools, Reardan which is a twenty-two mile drive. Rowdy and the other reservation Indians shun him for leaving.

Arnold does not receive a warm welcomed at Reardan, a primarily white school. Arnold feels like a part-time Indian since he lives two lives; one at the reservation and one at Reardan. Arnold tries out for the basketball team and makes varsity.  He has never been good at anything, so this is a major confidence boost. The first game of the season is against Wellpinit, his old school. They lose because Rowdy is such a good player. The team has another opportunity to play them again the in the finals. They win! During the summer, Arnold and Rowdy reconcile and play a game of basketball.  Here Rowdy says Arnold is a nomad Indian; meaning he leaves to different places to find food or water.

Lesson: The audience that the book is intended for is young adults because the book addresses issues teens are going through, such as awkwardness and the desire the leave. Due to the loss of his loved ones, Arnold has an epiphany of self acceptance. He realizes he is not only an Indian, he is many things.