Citation:
Alexie, S. (2012). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Lexile Score: 600L
Summary:
This story is about an Indian boy who is stuck being
what he already knows and where he wants to go in life. All Arnold can think
about is getting off of the reservation where he has lived his entire life.
When the opportunity presents itself for Arnold to attend a nearly white, privileged
school in the city, Arnold jumps at the chance. At his new school he deals with
losing friends, loved ones, and has to learn a new way of life, but he gains
friendships, a new start, and a different outlook on himself.
Evaluation:
Overall I felt
like this is a good book according to Norton. I feel this book is very relatable
to pre-teens with all the issues of friendships, feelings of more than
friendship, and no one understanding who they are. The book is written in such
a way that it is as if a student wrote the book and not an adult. It definitely
captures the feelings and opinions of the readers.
This book does incorporate standard stereotypes (rich
white people, poor Indians), but for the most part they are resolved in the
book when we learn more about the characters. The book also has some illustrations
which are great for students who are not completely ready for full, word-only
chapter books.
Literary Elements:
Characters: American-Indians
aged young to old and white people aged young to old
Setting: the reservation and
Reardan High School in Reardan.
Conflict: Arnold must decide
if he is going to stay with his friends at the reservation high school or
attend the high school in the city
Mini Lesson:
For this book I would have kids create their own
diary about their own life. I would have students create different chapters
from different parts of their life. I would then have the students explain what
they learned about themselves in the process.
Age: 4th grade +
with Adult guidance
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