The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

In this New York Time's listed Best Seller, author Sherman Alexie tells the story of a character named Arnold, aka Junior, who just wants to live his life the way he wants to and not the way he feels he should have to. Determined to find his place in this world, Junior leaves the Indian Reservation and attends school at a nearby "farm-town" high school which is all white.

In The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian, published in 2007, readers get a realistic view into the life of a person who may not feel "at home" in their own skin. It can fall under so many different literary categories but I classify it as being a contemporary realistic fiction. Though it does draw from the authors personal experiences, I would not classify it as a memoir. The dialogue and thoughts of the characters flow easily off of the page and into the readers mind. Alexie also does a wonderful thing by having drawings by Ellen Fourney (aka Junior's cartoons). The drawings represent what is going on in the story and give the reader a mini-break from the narrative.

Activities

1) Oral Presentations: Have students work in small groups to complete the following presentations.

• Before the Reardan Indians versus Wellpenit Redskins basketball game a news crew comes to interview Junior. Working in small groups, write a script for the entire news story, including interviews with Coach and Rowdy. Rehearse and then either present the news story for the class or videotape and then show the class.
• Both Mr P and Coach have a big impact on Junior due to their motivating words and advice. Prepare and present a motivational speech, to be delivered to the Wellpenit basketball team just before their second game against Reardan.
• In ten years time Junior returns to Wellpenit High to deliver a speech to the graduating class. What is his message to them? What has he done since high school? Prepare and present his speech.
• Choose your favorite three cartoons from the novel. Explain to the class why you have selected these cartoons as your favorite and explain the significance of each one.

2) Act it Out: Working in small groups, have students choose a scene from the novel to act out. Have them write their own script before they rehearse and then present to the class. They can choose from one of the following scenes:

a. Junior’s first day at Reardan.

b. The class walk out on Mrs Jeremy.

c. Junior and Penelope go out for pancakes after the dance.

d. Junior and Rowdy play basketball at the end of the novel.

3) Speeches, Speeches are so Fun!: Have the students prepare an argumentative speech, using one of the following topics:
a. The pursuit of personal goals is more important than the expectations of the
community.
b. Boys should be freer to express their feelings.
c. More education is required to eradicate racism from our society.
d. The misuse of alcohol has devastating effects on our community.
e. Self-belief is the most important quality to ensure success. 

Discussion

1) What do Arnold's drawings tell us that his writing does not? What is the relationship between pictures and words?

2) Would you have left the reservation? Why or why not?

3) What does it mean for Arnold to be a "part-time" Indian? Do you think of yourself as a "part-time" something? What? And why?

4) Arnold asks his parents: "Who has the most hope?". What do you think? Why is it so important to have hope?

5) What do you think will happen to Arnold after he finishes high school?

6) Arnold makes a list of all the different tribes he belongs to. What tribes do you belong to? Are you multi-tribal like Arnold?

7) How do Arnold's drawings of himself change over the course of the novel?

8) Why does Rowdy call Junior a nomad? What does it mean to be a nomad? 
Do you think this is a positive thing?

9) What is the last picture that Arnold draws? Why is it so important?

References

Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian. New York: Little, Brown for Young Readers, 2007. Print.
Galda, L., Cullinan, B., & Sipe, L. (2010). Literature and the child (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.