# The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

By Sherman Alexie

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-20d67ca3/

Junior draws cartoons and wants more from school than his Spokane reservation can offer. At fourteen, he transfers to a white farm-town high school. The move opens possibilities while leaving him to face other people’s stereotypes and questions about where he belongs.

## What makes it funny?

Junior describes his unusually large head as though it has its own orbiting skulls. His account of childhood medical problems keeps veering into extravagant, undignified images. Ellen Forney’s cartoons add jokes about the differences between Native and white appearances.

### The comedy at work

Junior speaks directly to the reader, turning humiliations into exaggerated self-portraits. The jokes preserve his frankness about prejudice and pain, with the drawings adding another way to express what he sees.

### Try this if…

The combination of a blunt teenage voice and cartoons suits a reader who likes a coming-of-age story told with visual wit. The humor stays close to grief and anger.

### Good to know

Racism, bullying, alcoholism and bereavement are substantial parts of the story. This is a young adult novel with illustrations by Ellen Forney throughout.

## What to expect

- Genre: Contemporary & literary
- On the shelf: Coming of age · Diary & letters
- Kind of humor: Dark comedy
- Audience: Young adult
- Format: Novel
- Published: 2007

## A few distinguishing details

- A cartoonist’s diary of moving between two schools and communities
- Ellen Forney’s drawings alongside Junior’s narration

## Sources & further reading

- Review: [Publishers Weekly review](https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780316013680)
- Publisher: [Publisher description and illustrated edition](https://www.littlebrownlibrary.com/titles/sherman-alexie/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian/9780316219303)
- Publisher: [Publisher hardcover edition](https://www.littlebrownlibrary.com/titles/sherman-alexie/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-national-book-award-winner/9780316013680)
- Reading sample: [Authorized opening excerpt](https://www.bookbrowse.com/excerpts/index.cfm/book_number/2072/page_number/1/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-parttime-indian)