Summary

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a critically acclaimed young adult novel by Native American author Sherman Alexie. Published in 2007, the semi-autobiographical story follows 14-year-old Arnold Spirit Jr., a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation, as he leaves his troubled reservation school to attend an all-white high school in a nearby farm town.

Told with a mix of humor and heartbreak, the novel addresses themes of poverty, racism, bullying, and cultural identity through Arnold's first-person narration and cartoon drawings. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian has won numerous awards, including the 2007 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.

Plot

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian follows 14-year-old Arnold Spirit Jr., known as Junior, a budding cartoonist living on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Born with several medical problems and struggling with a stutter, Junior is frequently bullied. His only friend is Rowdy, a tough boy who protects him. After Junior throws a textbook in frustration and hits his teacher, Mr. P encourages Junior to leave the reservation school to access better opportunities.

Junior transfers to Reardan High School, an all-white school 22 miles away. Though initially ostracized, Junior gradually makes friends, including a popular girl named Penelope, and earns a spot on the basketball team. However, his leaving is seen as a betrayal on the reservation, especially by Rowdy. Junior struggles to straddle both worlds as he faces racism at his new school while feeling he's abandoned his community.

Throughout the school year, Junior experiences several tragedies. His grandmother is killed by a drunk driver, and his father's best friend is shot. Later, Junior's sister Mary dies in a trailer fire. Junior grapples with grief and guilt but finds solace in his budding friendships at Reardan and his growing success on the basketball court. When Reardan plays against the reservation team, Junior's conflicting loyalties come to a head.

By the end of the year, Junior has gained confidence and a sense of hope for his future. He reconciles with Rowdy, who comes to understand Junior's reasons for leaving. Though he knows life will continue to be difficult, Junior feels he now has the strength to pursue his dreams while remaining connected to his Native American identity and community.

Themes

• Identity and belonging Poverty and socioeconomic inequality
• Racism and discrimination
• Hope and perseverance
• Family relationships and loyalty
• Education as a path to opportunity
• Cultural conflict and assimilation

Setting

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a contemporary novel, taking place in the early 2000s. The main setting is the Spokane Indian Reservation near Wellpinit, Washington, where the protagonist, Arnold Spirit Jr. (Junior), grows up. The reservation is portrayed as an impoverished community struggling with issues like alcoholism, lack of opportunity, and substandard education.

A significant portion of the novel is also set at Reardan High School, located in a wealthy, predominantly white town about 20 miles from the reservation. Junior transfers to this school in search of better educational opportunities, creating a stark contrast between his two worlds. The back-and-forth between these settings highlights the cultural and socioeconomic divisions Junior must navigate.

Other key locations include Junior's family home on the reservation and the basketball courts where pivotal scenes unfold. The novel also briefly mentions Montana, where Junior's sister Mary moves. While most of the action occurs within this limited geographic area of eastern Washington state, the story speaks to broader themes of Native American experiences across the United States.

Characters

• Arnold Spirit Jr. (Junior): The 14-year-old protagonist and narrator. A bright, artistic Spokane Indian teen who leaves his reservation school to attend an all-white high school. He struggles with his identity as he tries to navigate both worlds while dealing with poverty, bullying, and loss. Junior is resilient, determined, and uses humor to cope with challenges.
• Rowdy: Junior's best friend on the reservation. Athletic and volatile, Rowdy feels betrayed when Junior leaves for Reardan. Their complicated friendship is a major element of the story. Despite his tough exterior, Rowdy cares deeply for Junior.
• Mary: Junior's older sister. Nicknamed “Mary Runs Away,” she is intelligent but lacks opportunity. She moves to Montana after high school and tragically dies in a trailer fire.
• Junior's Parents: His father is an alcoholic but loving, while his mother is described as eccentric and an avid reader. They struggle with poverty but support Junior's decision to attend Reardan.
• Penelope: A popular girl at Reardan who becomes Junior's friend and love interest. She struggles with bulimia and dreams of leaving her small town behind.
• Mr. P: Junior's geometry teacher at the reservation school who encourages him to transfer to Reardan. He regrets his past harsh treatment of Native students.
• Coach: The basketball coach at Reardan who becomes a supportive figure for Junior, treating him as an equal to the other students.
• Gordy: A nerdy student at Reardan who becomes Junior's friend and study partner. He helps Junior academically and socially adjust to the new school.
• Grandmother Spirit: Junior's grandmother, described as tolerant and loving. Her death after being hit by a drunk driver is a turning point in the story.
• Roger: A jock at Reardan who initially bullies Junior but later becomes his friend and occasional protector.

Quick facts

• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian was Sherman Alexie's first young adult novel, published in 2007 when he was already an established author of fiction for adults.
• The novel is semi-autobiographical, with Alexie estimating it is about 78% based on his own life experiences growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation.
• The story is set on the Spokane Indian Reservation and in the nearby town of Reardan, Washington.
• The protagonist Arnold Spirit Jr. (Junior) has hydrocephalus, just as Alexie did as a child.
• The novel features 65 comic illustrations by Ellen Forney that are meant to represent Junior's drawings.
• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian won the 2007 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.
The book has been frequently challenged in schools, due to its frank discussions of sexuality, profanity, and violence, ranking as the most challenged book from 2010 to 2019 according to the American Library Association.
• Alexie narrates the audiobook version, which won the 2009 Odyssey Award for best audiobook for children or young adults.
• Despite controversy, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian has been widely praised for its honest portrayal of contemporary Native American teenage life and is used in many school curricula.

About the author

Sherman Alexie is an acclaimed Native American author, poet, and filmmaker known for his candid portrayals of contemporary Indigenous life. Born in 1966 on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington state, he draws from his experiences growing up to craft stories that blend humor with unflinching examinations of poverty, alcoholism, and cultural identity. His semi-autobiographical works often feature Native American characters navigating the complexities of reservation life and urban settings.

Alexie's breakout book was The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, a 1993 collection of interconnected short stories. He went on to publish numerous poetry collections, short story anthologies, and novels, including the National Book Award-winning young adult novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

In addition to his literary career, Alexie wrote and co-produced Smoke Signals, a critically acclaimed 1998 film based on his short story collection. The movie won multiple awards at Sundance and is considered a landmark of Indigenous cinema. Alexie has also performed as a stand-up comedian and given lectures across the country on Native American issues.