Junior is a 14 year old Spokane Indian who grew up on a reservation outside of Spokane, Washington surrounded by poverty, alcoholics, and a dysfunctional family of loving, but screwed up adults. Junior copes with his environment by drawing cartoons that he considers his, "little lifeboats." When he decides to transfer to the nearby white town school and is seen as a traitor, white-lover, only his lifeboats keep him afloat along with a few special unexpected friends.
Alexie, Sherman. (2006). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York: Little Brown. 230 pages. ISBN: 978-0-316-01369-7.
Ages 12+
Rating: Outstanding
Winner of the National Book Award 2007
