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This book delves deeply into a few specific themes which are common to many of Alexie's works:

Identity: Although Arnold "Junior" Spirit has a very strong sense of himself, recognizing his own strengths and weaknesses rather well for a young teen, he is also constantly trying to figure out his place in the world, and whether that place is mutable to his desires, particularly after he has a long talk with a teacher from the "rez school", Mr. P, who opens Junior's eyes to possibilities he hadn't before considered.

Being Native American: The author makes it clear that there are some major down-sides to being Native, such as being poor, being discriminated against, and dealing with alcoholism. But he also points to the positive when he highlights the strength of community and the idea that the people of "the rez" are much like one giant family.

Fitting In: In addition to the issues Junior faces due to his Native heritage, he also has other challenges that make him feel like even within the Native American community, he is an outsider. And when he starts to attend a "white" high school, whatever shreds of community he had felt from those on "the rez" were destroyed. This leaves him somewhat of a "man without a country", as he does not fit in with those who share his heritage, and he does not fit in at his new school. Or at least, that's what he thinks. Junior soon realizes that people are people, and that he can form friendships if he so chooses.

Dealing with Loss: Junior loses several people close to him throughout the story, and while each one hurts, he shows incredible resilience, persevering in his quest to chart his own path and find some measure of future happiness.

Education: Junior learns a lot over the course of this book; and it is because of the educational system that he is led to explore a life beyond the reservation, and beyond what he ever thought might be possible. Junior's education is not purely academic; he learns and grows emotionally, spiritually, and physically, as well.

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The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney - these books are not quite as thematically advanced as True Diary, but offer a protagonist and a tone that shares some similarities. They are also somewhat similar in appearance, featuring text interspersed with drawings that supplement the text.

Bloom County by Berke Breathed - This comic strip series ran throughout most of the 1980's and features a mixed cast of humans and talking animals, most of whom are trying to deal with the difficulties of life with grace and humor - well, at least with humor. Although there are some differences in subject matter, as this cartoon series ran on the "funny pages" of newspapers nationally, it is surprisingly grown-up and heartfelt at times, particularly for a cartoon built around a boy and his talking penguin. And there are many thematic similarities to True Diary.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nigh-Time by Mark Haddon - This book is narrated by autistic protagonist Christopher John Francis Boone and provides readers with some insight into a lived experience and culture that is probably much different from their own.

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai - This fictionalized account of Lai's emigration to the United States mirrors some of the situations faced by Junior as he leaves the reservation and enters a world different than the one he knew.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart - While Frankie is not navigating a new world as Junior is, she is trying to come to terms with how the world sees her, and how she wants to be seen. Her efforts to shape herself into the person she wants to be are reminiscent of Junior's efforts to secure happiness.

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me by Sherman Alexie - A nonfiction memoir that provides a thorough, sometimes harrowing, sometimes joyous account of Alexie's relationship with his mother.

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The absolutely true diary of a part-time indian. (a). Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/content/absolutely-true-diary-part-time-indian-3

The absolutely true diary of a part-time indian. (b). Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sherman-alexie/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian/

The absolutely true diary of a part-time indian. (c). Retrieved from http://schiedel.weebly.com/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian.html

The absolutely true diary of a part-time indian: Reviews. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Absolutely_True_Diary_of_a_Part-Time_Indian#Reviews

Ahmed, M. (2016). Absolutely true diary presentation. Retrieved from https://prezi.com/eybjdnww-tu_/absolutely-true-diary-presentation/

Alexie, S.Sherman alexie. Retrieved from fallsapart.com

Alexie, S., & Forney, E. (2009). The absolutely true diary of a part-time indian. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Big Think. (2012). Big think interview with sherman alexie. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJmRaLUcVU8

Ethnic studies: Arizona ban. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_studies#Arizona_ban

Flood, A. (2014). Sherman alexie young-adult book banned in idaho schools. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/apr/08/sherman-alexie-schools-ban-idaho-diary-part-time-indian-anti-christian

Kutzli, C., Sanders, J., Ensing, C. & England, C.Even part time readers will enjoy alexie. Retrieved from https://yareviews.wikispaces.com/Even+Part+Time+Readers+Will+Enjoy+Alexie

Matos, A. D. (2014). Tradition, change, and kinship in sherman alexie’s [the absolutely true diary of a part-time indian]. Retrieved from https://angelmatos.net/2014/01/07/part-time-indian/

Moyers & Company. (2013). Sherman alexie on living outside borders. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_F_jl3BE-k

National book awards - 2007. (2007). Retrieved from http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2007.html

Open Road Media. (2013). Meet sherman alexie. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze8uYk_QcEw

Open Road Media. (2014). Sherman alexie on book banning and censorship. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkU13p9mHGI

reneedechert. (2014). Rethinking the tribe: Sherman alexie’s the absolutely true diary of a part-time indian. Retrieved from https://reneedechert.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/rethinking-the-tribe-sherman-alexies-the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian/

Rickert, L. (2014). I found myself wanting to defend sherman alexie. Retrieved from https://nativenewsonline.net/entertainment/found-wanting-defend-sherman-alexie/

Sherman alexie. (a). Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Sherman-Alexie/e/B00455Q8D4

Sherman alexie. (b). Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/418975571564054741/?lp=true

Sherman alexie. (2015). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherman_Alexie

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"Who knew that one life... from a rez Indian boy could have that much power for people? It gives me hope."

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Sherman Alexie's life closely mirrored that of Arnold "Junior" Spirit in True Diary; it is not a coincidence that Junior's initials are the same as the authors, but in reverse.

Although he writes about very serious issues, he does so with wit and humor - he takes his topics seriously, but he doesn't take himself too seriously, as evidenced by the fact that the front page of his website, http://fallsapart.com/, features quotes from social media posts of people who dislike him.

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"I hate Sherman Alexie" - a dude on Twitter (as posted on the landing page of Alexie's website)

National Book Award Young People's Literature - Winner, 2007

ALA Best Books for Young Adults - Winner, 2008

284 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List

23 State award nominations

Kirkus: "Alexie nimbly blends sharp wit with unapologetic emotion in his first foray into young-adult literature. ...Junior’s keen cartoons sprinkle the pages as his fluid narration deftly mingles raw feeling with funny, sardonic insight."

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Sherman Alexie on Book Banning and Censorship

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Sherman Alexie on Book Banning and Censorship

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Sherman Alexie on Book Banning and Censorship

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Despite being a critically-acclaimed multi-award-winning book, Alexie's novel has garnered a fair share of criticism because of its frank depictions of sex and violence. These concerns helped the book make it to the ALA's "Top 10 Most Challenged YA Books" list in 2010.

In a 2011 Wall Street Journal article, Alexie responded to these criticisms, saying "attempts to prevent school-aged children from learning about the harsher aspects of contemporary life are 'way, way too late'" (Wikipedia.org "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" 2016).

An article in the Guardian reported that "the National Coalition Against Censorship said that The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is its most frequently defended title" as of 2014 (Flood  2014).

More disturbing was the book's removal from Arizona curriculum as part of a state law passed in 2012 that disallowed the teaching of a class on Mexican American studies in a particular school. The bill also included terms that prevented the teaching of Native American works, such as those of Sherman Alexie. He was quoted as saying “[I]n a strange way, I'm pleased that the racist folks of Arizona have officially declared … that their anti-immigration laws are also anti-Indian. I'm also strangely pleased that the folks of Arizona have officially announced their fear of an educated underclass. … Arizona has made our books sacred documents now.” (Wikipedia, “Sherman Alexie” 2015) It took until 2017 for this law to be found discriminatory (Wikipedia, “Ethnic Studies - Arizona Ban” 2017).

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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a moving, funny, engaging story about Arnold "Junior" Spirit, a Native American with "water on the brain" who lives on a reservation in the western United States. Junior only has one close friend, Rowdy, who helps protect Junior from the abuse by his peers. But one day, one of Junior's teachers tells Junior that he will "die" if he stays on the reservation - spiritually, mentally, and eventually physically - because there is no "hope" to be found on the reservation. Junior reluctantly agrees, which leads to his transfer to a "white" school. Over the course of the next year, Junior is faced with a variety of problems; and though some are quite grave, he faces them head-on, with a sardonic grin and a sarcastic remark.

Although this book is presented as fiction, it is heavily autobiographical, and many have praised it for accurately depicting the struggles of modern Native Americans.

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This story offers readers an insight into a world that is rarely considered across large parts of the country. This view inside the life of a Native American boy is eye-opening. It reveals the hardships and heartbreaks of a tribe that is slowly and painfully dying. It displays the power of a community that cares for each member, even when those members may not always be "good". Perhaps most importantly, it graphically and engagingly demonstrates that Native Americans are not any different that anyone else - they have the same types of hopes, fears, cares, and worries as anyone else.

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In addition to the wonderful writing contained in this book, readers will come across a variety of drawings and illustrations by Ellen Forney.

In the book, Junior is a graphic artist who loves comic books and draws to help him get his ideas out. These images represent Junior's perspectives on various parts of the book. They vary in style and composition to reflect Junior's own varied takes on the world around him - sometimes funny, sometimes serious, always filled with heart.

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Sherman Alexie on Living Outside Borders

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Sherman Alexie speaks at "Free Speech Matters" conference.

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They don't even read the thing! - Sherman Alexie Speaks at FREE SPEECH MATTERS

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Sherman Alexie talks about the amazing imaginations and poor reading skills of book-banners.

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Movie Paring: Arrange a viewing of the movie Smoke Signals, written by Alexie, to accompany a reading of the novel. Both deal with life as a Native American, and both have a sweet but sly tone to them. Ask the audience to come up with a short list of potential movie scenes that could be filmed that would capture some important aspect of their lives and heritages. They can discuss these amongst the group; or the activity can be extended, and members can be encouraged to film their scenes.

Research/Current Events: Although Native Americans are often mentioned in colonial history courses, and their stories are sometimes included as part of high school English classes on early American literature, these tend to be both historically isolated and cursory discussions. Have readers find some modern sources that provide information about the lives of Native Americans; perhaps they might be pointed toward pieces about the ongoing Dakota Pipeline and Keystone XL Pipeline situations, which are impacting Native American populations.

Art/Drawing: This novel has lots of great illustrations "by Junior" that reflect his thoughts and views of the world. Discuss the ways art is used within the novel - sometimes silly, sometimes serious. What kinds of issues, themes, or topics are represented by Junior's art? Provide readers with a variety of art materials - various types of paper, drawing and painting implements, old books and magazines for collages, etc. - and ask them to create an image that captures an important aspect of their lives that mirrors, in some way, a piece of art from the book. Ask the artists to provide a brief written explanation to go with their art. Consider creating an art installation that features these pieces within the library.

Writing: Alexie has repeatedly stated that this novel is a thinly-veiled and mildly-fictionalized version of his own life. Ask readers to generate a short list of particularly important events from their own lives. They might also recall family stories that they know very well. Then ask them to create a short story based on those events. Point out that they can dramatize or fictionalize the story, changing events or focus to achieve a particular outcome.

Controversy: As has been discussed, True Diary is a frequently-banned book. Have readers find some of the reasons the book was banned, and have them discuss their thoughts regarding these reasons. Ask them to create a response to one or more of the people/reasons for the ban. Their responses could be written as texts or presentations, or be composed of multimedia information. In reviewing their responses, ask them to consider which pieces are most likely to convince someone from the other side, and what techniques might improve others' reception of their message.

Duality: One of the images from the story depicts a boy that is half Junior and half "white kid". The image is annotated and labelled to point out all the specific differences  Junior feels exist between him and the white kids at his school. Ask students to create their own "duality" image. It might compare them to someone else, or it might compare their view of themselves with the view others have of them.

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Education is the prime motivator in this novel. Based on what is related in the novel, what is the single biggest problem with the educational system presented, and how should it be addressed?

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This book has been banned because of its depictions of sex. What are your thoughts about how this novel addresses sex?

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As a coming-of-age story, which pieces of this novel felt most familiar to your own experiences? Which element(s) felt most different from your own experiences?