The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is Sherman Alexie's semi-autobiographical story of Arnold Spirit, know to his friends as Junior, a Spokane Indian growing up in Wellpinit, WA. Junior has spent his first 14 years living and going to school on a Spokane Indian reservation, drawing cartoons and hanging out with his best friend Rowdy. At the urging of a teacher who wants to see Junior fulfill his potential, he transfers to a nearby all-white (and much wealthier) high school. Even though he still lives on the "rez", and his new school is only miles away, he experiences a huge clash of cultures and crisis of identity. His old friends feel abandoned, and he feels like a novelty amongst his new schoolmates as the only Indian at school (except for the mascot!). He is forced to confront the realities of life on the reservation in a new way, and make choices about where he belongs and what he wants for his future. This National Book Award winner is an incredibly moving, and often very funny, story of a teenager trying to navigate between two cultures, staying true to his past while exploring his future. I've also heard great things about the audio book version audiobook, read by the author!
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