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nusquared's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
simonebesamusca's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
librarianinperiwinkle's review against another edition
4.0
I'm actually tempted to add this to my "biography" shelf (or "autobiography" if I had one) as well because this story is so close to how Sherman Alexie described his own life when I heard him speak a few years ago at the PLA conference in Seattle. It's a funny, poignant book about a Spokane Indian teenager who decides to buck the odds and go to school 22 miles away in a small town full of white folks. He faces all kinds of obstacles and culture shock as he adjusts to his new school and deals with his own people viewing him as a traitor for aspiring to overcome crushing poverty and personal loss and do something with his life.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, even though I think Alexie is funnier in person. If you're recommending this book to kids, keep in mind that it's written from the perspective of a 14-year-old boy, so there are some references to masturbation & breasts, etc.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, even though I think Alexie is funnier in person. If you're recommending this book to kids, keep in mind that it's written from the perspective of a 14-year-old boy, so there are some references to masturbation & breasts, etc.
carolouj's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
faithtrustpixiedust's review against another edition
4.0
Buddy read with Nana
I don't have too many thoughts on this book, other than that I generally liked it but it didn't impact me as much as I thought it would. I was honestly a little bit bored around the middle of the book and kind of didn't notice when it started to end and then, well, the book was over. There wasn't much of a plot to the narrative, but since it is based on Alexie's own life, I can't exactly blame that. For what it was, I liked it.
Also, I really liked that it was set in Washington (though Eastern WA, which I'm less familiar with), so I knew some of the geography and culture mentioned. Whenever things are set in my home state, I get a little excited haha
“The world, even the smallest parts of it, is filled with things you don’t know.”
I don't have too many thoughts on this book, other than that I generally liked it but it didn't impact me as much as I thought it would. I was honestly a little bit bored around the middle of the book and kind of didn't notice when it started to end and then, well, the book was over. There wasn't much of a plot to the narrative, but since it is based on Alexie's own life, I can't exactly blame that. For what it was, I liked it.
Also, I really liked that it was set in Washington (though Eastern WA, which I'm less familiar with), so I knew some of the geography and culture mentioned. Whenever things are set in my home state, I get a little excited haha
craftingcnage's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this up while in 'The Strand' in NYC, and had to start reading it while wandering around in the bookstore. While definitely a 'YA' novel, the storytelling is perfect mingling humor and pain and social commentary.
allysonschwartz01's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
kim_j_dare's review against another edition
4.0
Arnold Spirit is one of my favorite 9th graders of all times. His best observation of the world--
"I used to think the world was broken down into tribes. By black and white. By Indian and white. But I know that isn't true. The world is only broken into two tribes: The people who are assholes and the people who are not." -Arnold Spirit, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
"I used to think the world was broken down into tribes. By black and white. By Indian and white. But I know that isn't true. The world is only broken into two tribes: The people who are assholes and the people who are not." -Arnold Spirit, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian