The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

This novel was one that I enjoyed, not only because it was one that featured a native-american teenager, but also because the messages in it are universal. The idea that you are moving out from your home in the hope of finding something better in your life is something that all teens can relate to. It is one that I feel should be read by teens for it's message of tolerance, as well.

That message is odd considering the novel's history of getting banned. It has been consistently featured in the ALA's Top Ten Challenged book for years, winning the top spot in 2014 alone. Many of the reasons for it being there, such as it being anti-family, and cultural insensitivity are somewhat true, but they make sense when taken into context. The harsh life that the main character, Arnold Spirit, leads, both on and off the reservation, is an example of how difficult it is to be Native American in our white-dominated society.

I also liked the complex characters that were in this novel. The parents have their problems, but they love Arnold very much and support his decision. His girlfriend, at first sees him as a object and is using him for the status, but by the end she respects and admires him. These characters, or the reader's viewpoint of them, change through the novel, and that is an excellent thing for a book like this. I can totally understand why it won the National Book award.

The only part that I didn't like were the deaths in the novel. I won't spoil who dies, but I will say that they didn't have the effect on me like I think they were supposed to. One could argue that it was actually for the effect that they had on Arnold and how he grew because of them, but that is debatable. Never the less, I really enjoyed this book, and I think that if you have the chance to, you should pick it up and read it. I give it a four out of five.