The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Getting to know Sherman Alexie for Ms. Savio’s English 10 class

Sherman Alexie Born in 1966 From Spokane area in Washington state

Semiautobiographical novel about a teenaged boy from the same area where Alexie grew up in Washington

Semi- Partly

autobiography Story you wrote about yourself

Semiautobiographical It’s a story that’s partly based on his life (He has said it’s about 78% true.)

The boy in the book is Arnold Spirit, aka Junior The boy in the book is Arnold Spirit, aka Junior. It’s about his life on an Indian reservation.

What’s an Indian reservation?

What kind of land do you think the government gave them? In the late 1700s, the government decided that the Native Americans have a right to nationhood and self-government.

We have one! The Chumash Reservation.

Native Americans were considered second-class citizens from the moment people from other countries came. Who else gets treated that way?

Alexie doesn’t try and paint a rosy picture. He tells it how it is.

Here are some things we’ll talk about:. Identity (self, race, poverty, Here are some things we’ll talk about: *Identity (self, race, poverty, education) *Hope *Traditions *Home *Relationships (friends & family)

Also, it’s good to know that this book has won many awards Also, it’s good to know that this book has won many awards. But more important, this book is almost always one of students’ favorites.

Also, it’s banned in many school districts because of some of the content. But we’re reading it. Awesome!

“I have yet to receive a letter from a child somehow debilitated by the domestic violence, drug abuse, racism, poverty, sexuality, and murder contained in my book. To the contrary, kids as young as ten have sent me autobiographical letters written in crayon, complete with drawings inspired by my book, that are just as dark, terrifying, and redemptive as anything I’ve ever read.” -Sherman Alexi (Wall Street Journal)

So, to start… your “Do now”: Can you think of a moment where you realized that you had to make a change? Maybe you had to stop hanging around someone, or stop a bad habit, or change study habits, etc. Please write about it.