The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

by Sherman Alexie

This really strangely named book, was the 2007 National Book Award winner for Young Adults, and is on this year's Tayshas list. It is truly the saddest funny book I've ever read. Junior Spirit was born and raised on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington State. He knows all about being poor and powerless. The reservation schools are no good, so Junior makes the decision to go to school at an excellent rural white school 23 miles away. His parents agree to help him, but there are many days he has to hitchhike or walk most of the way. His best friend Rowdy won't forgive him for leaving the "rez" and most of his people think he is a traitor. But Junior is determined to make something of his life, and to escape the cycle of poverty. This book is peppered with Junior's cartoons, most really funny, and stories of life on the reservation, alternately funny and heartrending. At his new school, he manages to make friends with a brainy geek, who helps him study, and gets a girlfriend named Penelope. But it's his basketball playing ability that really wins him the respect he craves.

Be prepared to learn something about Native Americans by reading this book, and be prepared to be touched by a character who has to work like crazy just to get what most American kids take for granted. Although this is a great guy book, it is one that everyone should read.

--reviewed by Dail Sams