El Diario completamente verídico de un indio a tiempo parcial (2007)

Audiobook narrated by the author. Illustrations by Ellen Forney.

This young adult novel tells the story of Junior Spirit, a Spokane Indian living on the reservation with his parents and older sister. Junior was born with hydrocephalus and has some lingering effects of brain damage, but he’s a good student, a talented artist and a pretty good basketball player. A mishap at school leads his teacher to tell Junior that he needs to get off the reservation and find his future elsewhere, and thus begins his journey.

I loved this book. I could not help but think of all the kids out there like Junior – kids with limited abilities in one aspect, but extraordinary abilities in other aspects. Kids who just need someone to believe in them, and for an adult to step in to stop the bullying and give them a chance to grow and excel.

Things do not go smoothly for Junior just because he decides – and is supported by his parents in this decision – to attend the white high school off the reservation. He loses his best friend as a result. He’s bullied and ostracized at his new school. He is under tremendous social pressure due to his poverty and his efforts to hide that poverty from his classmates. His family remains dysfunctional, with parents who drink to excess, and multiple deaths among those he loves. But he never gives up. He is determined to succeed and to make the most of the opportunity he has.

The audiobook is narrated by Alexie and I cannot imagine anyone else doing a better job. Outstanding!

NOTE: The text version I got was the 10th anniversary edition and had supplemental information, including an interview with the author, an early draft of the first chapter, a draft of a possible sequel focusing on Rowdy, an interview with the illustrator, and a heart-breaking eulogy to Alexie’s childhood friend (and the model for Rowdy). Greatly enjoyed this additional info (which was not included on the audio) and it made me appreciate the book even more.

Additionally, I am fully aware of the allegations made against the author. While I abhor the behavior, I am judging the book on its own merit. ( )

This story was so much more than I was expecting. It's about a boy growing up on an Indian reservation. Life and the future don't look bright for those living there. So many sad things happen to him, but the story is told in such an upbeat way. It feels so honest. You can't help but love him and his views. I really enjoyed this one and recommend it. ( )

I have been meaning to read this book for ages. Both funny and sad, often both at the same time. It is fiction but it feels fairly autobiographical. It is the coming of age story of a young native American boy living with his alcoholic parents on the Spokane reservation and what happened when he decided to transfer to an all white school in a town 20 miles away. ( )

This coming-of-age memoir has a wonderful sense of humor, but the hardships Alexie overcame in his youth were harrowing. He adds comedy to those moments, esp with the cartoons, but being racially stereotyped, walking 22 miles to and from school, dealing with alcoholic parents, family deaths, loneliness, and overcoming brain seizures is a lot for anyone to handle.

He is brutally honest and self deprecating. He longs for something more than life on the reservation, but struggles with feelings of betraying his people because of that longing. It’s a lot for any teenager to handle.

“The world, even the smallest parts of it, is filled with things you don’t know.” ( )

Superb coming of age book. Would recommend to any teenager and twice that many adults. ( )