Celebrate the Freedom to Read

First, I want to say HAPPY BANNED BOOK WEEK to all! This is such an important week to readers because it is 100% about the freedom of choice – the choice to read. Most importantly, it is important that we continue to fight for this choice for all readers of all ages.

I am proud to work with Book Journey this week and host this novel as well as a giveaway.

When I read the tweet to help celebrate, I knew immediately what novel I wanted to recognize and host. At first I thought of Speak, but then I decided on this one because I am always being asked what books I recommend for male readers, especially reluctant ones, and I love this book that much and cannot believe it has been challenged.

Title and author: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Pages: 230

ISBN: 9780316013697

Source: Purchased

Summary (from book jacket):

Junior is a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian reservation. Born with a variety of medical problems, he is picked on by everyone but his best friend. Determined to receive a good education, Junior leaves the rez to attend an all-white school in the neighboring farm town where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Despite being condemned as a traitor to his people and enduring great tragedies, Junior attacks life with wit and humor and discovers a strength inside of himself that he never knew existed.

Inspired by his own experiences growing up, award-winning author Sherman Alexie chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one unlucky boy trying to rise above the life everyone expects him to live.

My Thoughts:

Alexie knocks it out of the park with this novel. He introduces readers to Junior, a young boy who happens to be a walking miracle. He was born with water on his brain, too many teeth, huge feet, and awful eyesight. If that was not bad enough, he’s Native American too.

Throughout the novel, readers are brought into a world unlike any other in YA literature. Readers will experience Junior’s frustration at the lack of equality in education on the rez and will feel triumphant when he makes the decision to leave the rez for a better education, even if that means betraying the one he respects the most, his best friend.

Ultimately, this is a tale of survival. It’s hard to be a teenager, and when it seems that the world it out to “get you” in a variety of ways, it adds to the headache. 

But Junior keeps his head up, his hopes high, and his want for a better life center. From having a crush to fighting with a best friend to issues with teachers and family members, all readers will find themselves lost in the pages cheering for Junior.

Alexie's gift of storytelling is truly remarkable – he made me laugh and cry, many times simultaneously, and he warmed my heart. Throughout the novel I found myself rooting for Junior, no matter what it involved.

I want to share with you one of my favorite moments in the novel. It’s one I always share with my students when we study Alexie's essay, “Superman and Me.” To me, this captures not only the tone of Junior’s life but it also will always be relevant in society.

It sucks to be poor, and it sucks to feel that you somehow deserve to be poor. You start believing that you’re poor because you’re stupid and ugly. And then you start believing that you’re stupid and ugly because you’re Indian. And because you’re Indian you start believing you’re destined to be poor. It’s an ugly circle and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Poverty doesn’t give you strength or teach you lessons about perseverance. No, poverty only teaches you how to be poor (13).

It is moments like these that make this worth your time. Alexie brings universal truths to the forefront, challenging “ideas” many are raised to believe. With absolute tender care, Alexie provides readers a look into what it truly is like to grow up not only poor in America but also Native American. Stereotypes are addressed as well as being a growing, teenage boy.

But more than anything, this is always a “go to” novel for me with students, especially male. I have not ever had a male student return the book and say he did not like it. Usually when I ask all that is said is, “Can you recommend another book I would like as well?”

Chris Crutcher enjoying BBW in Spokane

Guys, this is a sure-winner for your classroom library, with your students, with you. 

And if that doesn't convince you...check out the picture of fellow author Chris Crutcher reading from the novel. A big THANK YOU to Kelly Milner Halls, his personal assistant, for allowing me to share the love and post this picture of Crutcher.

I have read this novel and listened to it on audio – I recommend you do both. I recommend that you read the novel first. The cartoons that accompany are an important element, but once you’ve read it, it is worth a listen because Alexie is the reader.

Reasons given for banning this novel: 

• offensive language
• racism
• religious viewpoint
• sexually explicit
• unsuited to age group

Want to learn more?

• "Northwest novel removed from Richland schools' reading list" - June 11, 2011 
• "Banning Sherman Alexie Does Not Help Students" - June 27, 2011
• "Banned Books Week: Top 10 Most Challenged Titles of 2011" - October 1, 2012
• "About Banned and Challenged Books" - ALA

And now...it's GIVEAWAY time! Enter for your chance to win a copy of Sherman Alexie's YA novel below. 

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