Review: The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

The Blurb: “In his first book for young adults, bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist who leaves his school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white high school. This heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written tale, coupled with poignant drawings that reflect the character’s art, is based on the author’s own experiences and chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he seems destined to live.”

Favorite Line: “The world, even the smallest parts of it, is filled with things you don’t know.”
And: “But, you should approach each book—you should approach life—with the real possibility that you might get a metaphorical boner at any point.”

The Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie was one of the best reads all year. This “illuminated novel” can stand on its own, without the graphics (however they are hilarious). If only all all people could look at the world the way Gordy does in these two lines (above), as he teaches Junior to do throughout the novel. It really makes one stop and think. "I don't know everything. Even the smallest things and places have mysteries. I should be excited about life, and every thing this world has to offer."

This book deals with issues of friendship, independence, racism, loyalty, minor sexuality, relationships, family, and personal education. Also, the book is challenged in many schools. Why? Masturbation. Anytime masterbation (well and the word 'boner") is even mentioned in a book, people want to ban it. I have read two articles about banning this book recently and it just sickens me that ignorance still has influence in our society.

Alexie has been honing his craft with adult novels and books of poetry for years, and it shows in this blockbuster debut in the realistic YA fiction genre. His wordsmithing is amazing, and Junior's voice comes though the text and it feels like you know these characters personally when you are done. I think maybe that is why I am obsessed with the audio version and audio interviews with Alexie, because part of me really wants to meet the man that Junior is based upon.

Something Extra: A delight to listen to on audio, because Alexie reads it himself! (And garnered an Odyssey Award for it!) A great way to connect with an author is to listen to them read from their own work, and here Alexie becomes Junior. Also, you can purchase a great interview with Alexie and David Levithan on itunes. Oh yeah, he's writing Book II, Junior, Gordy, and Rowdy's sophomore year, right now! Check out this amazing interview:



The Bottom Line: The Absolute True Diary of a Part-time Indian won the National Book Award, and has won more awards than you can shake a stick at. This book is an excellent choice for male readers, and features a comraderie that will touch your soul. A pleasure to read and listen to on audio, buy both!
Grade: A+

Review: Story of A Girl by Sara Zarr

The Blurb: "When she is caught in the backseat of a car with her older brother's best friend - Deanna Lambert's teenage life is changed forever. Struggling to overcome the lasting repercussions and the stifling role of "school slut," she longs to escape a life defined by her past.
With subtle grace, complicated wisdom and striking emotion, Story of a Girl reminds us of our human capacity for resilience, epiphany and redemption."

My Favorite Quote: "They never tell you this part in sex ed, how to talk about what you did and why you did it and what you thought about it, before, during, and after."

The Review: In a nutshell, this is what all realistic YA fiction that deals with sexuality is about, and why YA readers read books like Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr. They want answers to these excruciatingly important questions. The social ramifications of developing one's sexuality is constantly present in the average YA reader's life. The story is about a quiet girl who made what she (and her father) considers a mistake when she was in 8th grade, and it is haunting her still, almost three years later, because no one knows how to talk about it.

Zarr portrays the complex family with ease, giving each of her characters a position to operate from, and for the most part allows them to change though the book. Zarr was able to convey feelings of despiration that many teens (and adults) can empathize with, and when the lead character Deanna was falling into her old trap again I was genuinely panicked. I didn't want Zarr to let me down, and she held up her end of the bargain.

I did find the book "tamer" than I expected, and thought the family drama was a bit high for my taste (only because it was everpresent), and the additional -Story of a Girl- sections seemed like a trope that was tacked on and a bit unnecessary.

Something Extra: Sara Zarr also appears to be one of the few authors that regularly updates her blog. At her website there is a treasure trove of material about her and her writing. And there is a great interview with Zarr by Ellen Papazian at Bitch Magazine.

The Bottom Line: With the over-all literary and thematic elements of family, sexuality, responsibility, religion, and coming of age, it was easy to see why Story of a Girl was a National Book Award finalist for Young People's Literature. An excellent read, from an excellent author.

Grade: A-