Sherman Alexie's autobiographical novel blurs the line between fiction and nonfiction. While the novel's protagonist Junior is his own character, Alexie drew from his own experiences as a child with hydrocephalus, or excess cerebral fluid, growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington and leaving the reservation to attend high school. Providing students with the author's background and information on the Spokane tribe will help contextualize the story and reveal Alexie's personal motives for writing this book. Since the novel discusses life on a reservation, it will be useful to have a lesson on the history of Indian reservations, tribal government, the US education system, and other issues that many modern-day Native Americans face.
The book also includes illustrations by Ellen Forney. Class discussion can involve why her how her artwork contributes to the reader experience and depicts major themes or motifs. Students can use these illustrations as a starting point for analyzing Junior, his search for identity, and how his self-perceptions change.
Discover more about teaching The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian below.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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Summary of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Key Facts
- Publication Date: 2007
- Length: 288 pages
- Lexile Measure: 600
- Recommended Grade Band: 8-9
Fourteen-year-old Arnold "Junior" Spirit lives on the Spokane Indian Reservation, where he has limited opportunities and endures bullying for his physical disabilities. He must also deal with poverty, forced assimilation, and relatives who abuse alcohol. In an effort to gain a better education and become successful, Arnold attends a wealthier high school off the reservation. At this school, he struggles to form friendships and define his identity as a Native American and an individual.
Content Warning: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian contains some vulgarity, sexuality, violence, and references to alcohol.
What Your Students Will Love About The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
- The relatable protagonist: a high school student searching for his identity
- The humor and emotional insight that the narrator provides
- Learning more about Native American experiences and cultures
Potential Student Struggles With The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
- The limited development of secondary characters
- The over-the-top drama that can seem contrived
Learning Objectives for The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
- Discuss how Alexie uses descriptive language to accentuate major themes of the text.
- Explain ethnic discrimination and how it functions in the novel.
- Infer meaning from Ellen Forney's illustrations.
- Clarify the role of individuality as a motif in the novel.
- Comment on Alexie’s use of hyperbole and provide examples from the text.
- Outline the protagonist's changing views of himself.
Literary Elements in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
- Catachresis
- First-Person Narration
- Foil
- Hyperbole
- Irony
- Metaphor
- Sarcasm
- Simile
- Symbolism
- And more!
Major Themes in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Identity — As the only Native American student at his new high school, Junior tries, through this unique experience, to discover his true identity.
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Isolation — Junior feels isolated for many reasons, experiencing segregation on his reservation as well as in school.
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Loss — Junior's family on the reservation deals with devastating deaths as a result of alcohol abuse. These deaths induce another loss—a loss of hope.
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Other Resources for The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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This free guide was originally posted in March 2017. It has been updated as of August 2019.