This is my last title for the Book Awards Challenge (and just in the nick of time!)
Winner of the National Book Award, published by Little, Brown Young Readers
As I continue my foray into young adult literature (YA), I’m finding that my usual approach to reviews doesn’t quite fit. So I’m going to do something a little different.
A description from the publisher:
In his first book for young adults, bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author’s own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by acclaimed artist Ellen Forney, that reflect the character’s art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.
After The Book Thief, I didn’t really know where to go in YA, so I polled a few colleagues and clients, and several of them recommended The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Then I overheard a few middle school teachers trying to decide whether they should add this to their summer reading list, so, being the nosy book lady that I am, I butted right in and asked why they were uncertain. Turns out this book has been challenged and banned a couple times. So let’s talk about that first.
The Ban
As far as I can tell, the hubbub about this book started when a 14-year-old student at an Oregon school located not to far from where the book is set in Spokane, Washington, brought it home as required reading. His father read a few pages and decided that it “had a lot of references that [he] didn’t feel comfortable with,” so he went straight to the school board. Over references to what? Masturbation. Here’s what Junior has to say about it.
I spend hours in the bathroom with a magazine that has one thousand pictures of naked movie stars:
Naked woman + right hand = happy happy joy joy
Yep, that’s right, I admit that I masturbate.
I’m proud of it.
I’m good at it.
I’m ambidextrous.
If there were a Professional Masturbators League, I’d get drafted number one and make millions of dollars.
And maybe you’re thinking, “Well, you really shouldn’t be talking about masturbation in public.”
Well, tough, I’m going to talk about it because EVERYBODY does it. And EVERYBODY likes it.
And if God hadn’t wanted us to masturbate, then God wouldn’t have given us thumbs.
The father who complained about this book said he didn’t think it was an appropriate assignment for a 14-year-old, but hello, what is the number one hobby of adolescent boys everywhere? Puh-leeze. This father also said he understood that “there are people who agree with the book and think it’s OK to talk about this stuff openly, and I really don’t.”Now, he’s entitled to his opinion, and maybe he should have requested an alternate assignment for his son—who, I guarantee you, already knew about masturbation in the first place—but an all-school ban just seems a bit, well, extreme.
Are any of us surprised that a male teenage character likes to masturbate? Would this father have complained if the book presented a negative or shaming message about masturbation? Personally, I would much rather have horny teenage boys masturbating happily away rather than inflicting their awkward, horny teenage selves onto equally awkward teenage girls. And it’s not like they don’t try that, anyway. I didn’t find Junior’s remarks to be surprising or offensive, but hey, to each his own.
The paragraph I quoted above is the only reference to masturbation and by far the most blatant reference to sexuality in the entire book, and it is just one of a slew of (mostly benign) statements that make Junior likeable, relatable, and a very real, believable character.
The Illustrations
Junior tells us early on that he loves to draw cartoons.
I draw because words are too unpredictable.
I draw because words are too limited.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is filled with illustrations that really let us in on Junior’s sense of humor and his understanding of himself. He is self-deprecating, insightful, sarcastic, and every bit a thirteen-year-old boy trying to figure out where he fits in in two very different environments. Junior’s words often made me smile or smirk; his illustrations made me laugh out loud. For me, they were the most special feature of this book and one of the things that made it truly unique.
The Message
What sets this book apart from the YA lit masses is that the author manages to tell a great story and explore themes about identity and culture that many authors shy away from. Junior is like a man without a country. He is too smart to choose to continue living on the impoverished reservation where everyone knows him, his family, and all of their secrets, but he sticks out like a sore thumb at the affluent all-white school, and he can’t really imagine how he’s going to make a future in the white world.
Junior’s struggle to develop his cultural and personal identities, to navigate the choppy waters of adolescence, and to separate from his family enough to look at them with a little perspective will resonate with readers from privileged and minority groups alike. His alternating confidence and self-doubt will be familiar terrain, and the lessons he learns, whether you’re hearing them for the first time or the thousandth, will remind you of what it’s like to be a teenager, or, if you are still one, will give you hope that life really does become more bearable.
The Bottom Line
I really enjoyed reading this book, and while I can understand that the bit about masturbation might not appeal to some readers, I think the vast majority of Junior’s story is uncontroversial and definitely worth checking out. Alexie treats his characters with kindness, insight, and great humor, and I will definitely be recommending The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian to teen readers (and reassuring their parents when necessary).
Filed under: Book Reviews | Tagged: banned books, Book Reviews, books, fiction, reading, sherman alexie, the absolutely true diary of a part-time indian, young adult, young adult fiction
This review is amazing! I loved the complicated issues melded into this little jewel, and your approach is very professional. I’ll admit, my review was before I had a more set pattern for my reviews. I still really loved it and think your review is great. Thanks!
LOL! Love your thoughts on masturbation.
Great review! Sounds like a must-read.
I have been wanting to read this book and this review reminds me to go out and get it!
Hurrah!!! I loved this review. My son, who by the way is 14, loved this book. He made me read it during the RAT and I loved it!!! Reviewed it last month as one of my all-time favorite YA books ever. Masturbation…lots of people try to pretend it doesn’t exist…my son and I laughed while I read this review out loud…he chimed in when I got to the part, ” happy happy joy joy.” An all-school ban is ridiculous…pick another book mister and move on. That being said, I work in a middle school library and I do send home a parent permission slip for this book. If they don’t want their kid to read it, no big deal. It stays on the shelf….but they will never ever get it removed from my shelves!!! I will fight them every step of the way!!
I absolutely loved this book and gobbled it right up, but my son was somewhat less enthusiastic. He said he didn’t like “all that language” and that he hears enough of it at school. LOL Sherman Alexie is awesome.
It’s a pleasure to read your blog. Your sense of humor is cutting at times, unique and always a delight. Thank you.
[...] Book Chat: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie [...]
I was in a great bookstore in Bend, OR yesterday called Between the Covers and the owner raved about this book. She cautioned me that it had been banned due to one masterbation scene, I laughed, I was getting it for my 15 year old son.
I haven’t heard of this one yet, but I’ll definitely be adding it to my list.
I have no idea why I haven’t picked this up yet – I’m completely sure I’ll love it! And banning this book because it mentions masturbation?! I doubt there are any teenage boys out there for whom it’d be a novel concept.
My thoughts exactly, Nymeth. Not talking about something doesn’t make it disappear.
Definitely sounds like a great read! I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about it, too. And sometimes the “controversy” surrounding a novel makes me want to read it even more.
I really need to read this sometime, I keep forgetting to pick it up every time I hit the library.
The idea that this would be banned for that tiny and pretty insignificant mention of masturbation is completely outrageous. I sometimes wonder if certain parents skim every book looking for what they consider offensive stuff. Maybe if they read the whole book, those things would seem less bad to them. I think to truly ban a book as offensive you really need to take the book as a whole, not as separate bits.
This has been on my wish list for awhile. Thank you for the thoughtful review. And the added info about the reason for the ban. I really detest book banning!
[...] Book Chat: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie [...]
[...] Book Chat: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie [...]
I loved it! I tried reading Christopher Moore’s Biff and couldn’t get through it because the teen male perspective wore me down but not with Alexi.
Glad to hear you checked it out and the next time you want to talk YA, chat me up. I read almost all YA. I run a library for girls.
Hope to connect soon. My TSS post is up. Happy reading.
[...] 5. Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie [...]
[...] I read Rebecca’s review of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian on her blog, The Book Lady’s Blog, I [...]
Sherman Alexie has a talent for telling the truth in his books, I find him very heroic for continuing to write even though many don’t think well of the way he can tell the raw factuality. The Absolutely…should not be banned whatsoever because Alexie expresses himself of the ways a teenage boy behaves but it should be shared with the world because even though there are controversial issues the book is still good and the vexed issues give the book even more of an edge that it already had.
I do not think this book should be banned. It brings up real topics about life and struggle that I think we should all be exposed to. Sherman Alexie’s writing style is refreshingly simple and to the point and I rarely see that in the books i read in school now. I think that high school students should all get the chance to read this book. Parents who object to that should realize that all teenagers will be exposed to that language and ideas and the earlier they understand it and know it is out there, the better.
This book should have never been banned by any schools. There’s so much to take from this book other than just being appalled by the inappropriate parts. This book can change your view on many of life’s issues such as hatred, racism, sexual orientation. The high schools that banned this book should completely reconsider their decision and re-include this book in their curriculum.
I find that banned books are more interesting to read. There is always two sides to why the book should be banned and why it shouldn’t be banned. I fell like as I read the book, I was trying to find the reasons why it should and shouldn’t. In my opinion, I feel that banning the book is an excuse for those who are scared of the realities of life. Sex, alcohol, and violence are all topics that have been brought up. If someone doesn’t write about things that happen, how are we supposed to know about what’s going on around us? But why do we classify sex and alcohol as negative impacts on society? They are only harmful to ourselves if we believe they are, and misuse them. Whether teenagers learn about these topics from their mom, teachers, or a book it is good for them to be exposed to how for example, alcohol can effect ourselves and the love ones around us. Being Indian should not be stereotyped as all of these derogative terms but rather, we look passed it at.
This book’s artistic content far outweighs the occasional reference to masturbation. To ban a book based purely on these references would be preposterous. If parents are concerned then perhaps a letter should be sent home to notify the parent that some perceived “questionable content” will be used that class. But ultimately all teenagers know about and/or have experienced first hand the issues in this book, to ban the book because of these would be insanity.
Welcome to all of you new commentors, and thanks for your enthusiastic support of reading banned books. This one is fantastic and should not be missed.
Sherman Alexie is a brave writer who explores many controversial issues about sex, acoholism and abuse. The Absolutely True diary of a Part-Time Indianan is great book because it expresses the truth about the Indian and teen culture and life is not always perfect. Parents who want to ban this book are afraid of their children to see the harsh life of an Indian boy, living on the rez. Interestingly enough, the sexual references that Arnold, the main character uses are not against his family or girls. He uses these references in private and he has every right to do this because this book is his personal diary. This diary helps Arnold become a stronger and more confident boy.
There are people in this world who can’t face brutal honesty. To these people, I say, “Don’t read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian”. Alexie’s first piece for young adults captures the maturity level of someone who has a life rougher than I can possibly imagine. While there are definitely inappropriate parts of this book, I believe that if they weren’t in the book, it would not be the same. From reading this book, I have discovered truth like I have never seen before, and I have also been able to realize how fortunate I am to have the life I do. The truth in Absolutely True Diary is a tool to help develop Junior’s character as the book progresses, and at the end of the book, he is a stronger, more confident teenager who is ready to face anything.
I think that the power of truth is very strong and is present in Sherman Alexi’s writing. I know that he has used difficult topics and sensitive ones to help people end racism
[...] 5. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie [...]