The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian

by Sherman Alexie
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The award-winning, heartbreakingly funny, semi-autobiographical story of an American Indian boy who manages to leave the reservation despite overwhelming odds.

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Synopsis

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 experience and chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he seems destined to live.Illustrated in a contemporary cartoon style by Ellen Forney.

Editorial Reviews

"the first teenage novel by poet/author Sherman Alexie. Funny, heart-wrenching and utterly gripping, let's hope it's the first of many." - Kate Agnew, Guardian

"breathtakingly honest, heartbreaking and very, very funny . . . Beautifully written, coupled with poignant drawings that reflect Junior's art, it's easy to see why this won the National Book Award in America." - Keith Gray, Scotsman

"one of the best books I've reviewed for a long time. I read it in one sitting. It is profound and an inspiration to read. It covers themes that few books handle with comparable wit and honesty . . . it has volumes to say to teenagers everywhere on the planet. I'll be shoving my copy around all known readers." - Books for Keeps

"A unique and unsettling read which deserves to be one of the most talked about books of the year." - Becky Stradwick, Publishing News

"Always honest, sometimes painfully so, this is also raunchy, extremely funny, witty and wise. (TOP TITLE, CHILDREN'S BOOKSELLER)" - The Bookseller

"Excellent in every way, poignant and really funny and heartwarming and honest and wise and smart ... I have no doubt that in a year or so it'll be winning awards and being banned." - Neil Gaiman

"Overflows with truth, pain and black comedy amid lacerating memories of life on the rez. ... the novel is an unforgettable portrait of getting by in harsh circumstances, then getting out." - New York Times

"A rare and potent book . . . Profound but very readable and full of believable characters who set up resonances that will stay with you forever. Winner of the National Book Award in America, it deserves recognition here too." - David Blanch, Carousel

"For 15 years now, Sherman Alexie has explored the struggle to survive between the grinding plates of the Indian and white worlds... 'The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian' may be his best work yet." - Bruce Barcott, New York Times

"It's not easy to find great fiction that guys want to read, but here is an outstanding example...It all adds up to a wonderfully-written book that appeals to teenagers (male and female) and teaches a powerful lesson without even a little bit of preaching." - NBC-TV, The Today Show, 'Count down to Christmas' segment

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