The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie
Read for the "Coming of Age" Theme
In reading this novel, I have re-discovered what young adult means. Originally, I was expecting something like Twilight. Not like vampires and gushy love stories and terrible writing. But a story that had issues and was more tame in certain areas. I just I should say I was not expecting to be reading about the main character’s sexual awakening in the first few pages of the book. I didn’t realize that YA books talked about masturbation. And that there would be swearing. And bulimia. And a lot of death. But I think that’s ok. I have nothing against that whatsoever. Just wasn’t expecting it is all.
by Sherman Alexie
Read for the "Coming of Age" Theme
In reading this novel, I have re-discovered what young adult means. Originally, I was expecting something like Twilight. Not like vampires and gushy love stories and terrible writing. But a story that had issues and was more tame in certain areas. I just I should say I was not expecting to be reading about the main character’s sexual awakening in the first few pages of the book. I didn’t realize that YA books talked about masturbation. And that there would be swearing. And bulimia. And a lot of death. But I think that’s ok. I have nothing against that whatsoever. Just wasn’t expecting it is all.
In fact, I think I really liked how those topics and issues
were brought up in this book. They are all issues that I have faced, and I’m
only 21. And the book handles these issues so delicately too. It’s honest and
blunt, which makes it refreshing to me. I have read books in the past with
these or similar issues but they coddle the topic or ignore it or
over-dramatize it. To me, this book did a really good job to confront those
issues in a realistic way. And as someone who has very personal connection to these saturated topics, I didn't feel offended or slighted by the depiction of these issues and themes. Rather, I found myself nodding my head and agreeing with Junior's actions and portrayals.
Overall, this is a book I would love to recommend to future students. It might be a stretch to get a school-board to allow me to teach it, but if given the opportunity I would love to!
