Banned Books discussion

This topic is for in depth discussion about Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian.

It's a great book. This is second read through of the book. The first time I read it to see if we could keep it in the children section. We ended up sending it to the young adult section of the library.

This time I could read the book for pure enjoyment. I forgot how funny, sad, and truthful the book was. It is great book. It has a lot to offer. It is one of those great YA books that also has a lot to say to adults.

Unfortunately because the book is so honest it is also going to get in trouble. In the end though it could be a plus. More people will probably end up reading it.

I loved this book!!!

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I'll participate more as this thread gets going but I said a lot of what I thought in my review.

This book had a great mix of light heartedness with a lot of deep emotions and painful experiances. Really enjoyed it, and it was a really quick read.

I read through it really quickly too. I loved the cartoon aspect too... it really helped you see things from his view. Like when he discussed being a "part-time indian" and he had the half/half drawing. It really drove home what he saw himself as and what he viewed the other kids as.

I loved it! Haven't read any Alexie books before but I was familiar with him from appearances on some show like "Politically Incorrect" or something. The story of Arnold "Junior" Spirit and his family was a really interesting window onto the world of the Spokane Indian Reservation, or "The Rez". It's a brutal world, but also sweet and affirming at times. I came close to choking up a few times, and not all of those times were from sad moments, but sweet, funny or moments of unexpected tenderness. Does anyone know how much of this story is autobiographical? I found myself wondering that a few times because it just seems so lived-in and matter-of-factly told. Even sad, excruciatingly harsh moments are not wrung out for maximum pathos but mined for maximum emotional impact, real emotions. I also loved the kooky illustrations, they really helped convey what a 14-year-old Indian boy might be feeling, (and they were funny!). I don't really see how this book could be banned, it should simply be kept in the Young Adult section. It is true that it deals with alcoholism, violent deaths, and OOOH masturbation, but those things are real and should be talked about. Loved this book!

I've read other Alexie books and all of them have elements that are autobiographical. I don't know much about this one, though.

I read this book in September and have to admit I loved it. What a great, honest story filled with real emotions and real life. Great book, which I highly recommend!

This came at my "I can't read!" stage this year, which is FINALLY over. Now if I can just find the time...

Kelly, It's a really special book. Try to make the time if you can read, it's worth it.

This was the first Alexie book I read. I read it because it was under consideration for a Summer Read for high school grade level. I love the book and it definitely has value, especially for opening discussions with reluctant readers, minorities, and those dealing with substance abuse issues in their lives. However, I cannot make it a required summer read for all grades =(

I loved this book. Of course, I've yet to find an Alexie book I didn't love. I was introduced to him back in college (around 2001) with The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight In Heaven and became a total fangirl.

If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend going to hear him speak. The man is absolutely hilarious to listen to. And he's a total geek, which is awesome. :)

If you liked this book, definitely check out his other books. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a perfect example of his talents, but his adult themed stories are even more powerful.

Jennie wrote:
However, I cannot make it a required summer read for all grades =(

Wouldn't making any book a required book for all grades, make it suspect? First graders don't/ shouldn't read the same books as seniors with few exceptions... Do ninth and twelfth graders at your school have the same list/ expectations?

Jill recommends hearing him speak which I'd love, but he took apart Stephen Colbert, which was great!!! (And you could tell Colbert was loving it too!)

I love Colbert. Jennie's school is a high school and I think this book is appropriate for all high school grades. But requiring it for all would make everyone have to read it four times as they went through the grades which would be silly. :)

Oh, I should clarify! We change the all school read every year so kids don't have to read the same book!

Oh, Jennie, that makes more sense to me. Have you looked at Alexie's Flight? It didn't get the attention TATDoaPTI did, but it's equally good and thought provoking. (And may have some of the same objections among some...)
The Hunger Games? Whale Talk or anything by Crutcher? Monster? After? Little Brother? [image error]

several of those are on my to-read list. do you want me to add them to the ideas for book of the month?

Kelly,

They are all good, but I am only aware of Whale Talk and Monster being banned/ challenged, though I wouldn't be surprised about The Hunger Games -- it's very popular. And the protagonist has a sexual relationship with the other without wanting to be married or have children...

I'll add Monster to the list. Whale talk is already on there.

Kelly wrote: "I've read other Alexie books and all of them have elements that are autobiographical. I don't know much about this one, though."

Many of the scenes in this book are exactly how it is living on a reservation. I can say, as a part time Indian I stand on Native Soil. We all do.

Another book that you might be interested in is Everything You Know about Indians Is Wrong by Paul Chaat Smith.

Smith is a quite guy but great with his words. I worked near him this summer at the National Museum of the American Indian in DC.

I've heard about that book. It's good to hear a recommendation of it from someone of Native American descent. Yes, we are all standing on Native soil. What my ancestors did makes me ill.

This book is a piece of great American literature and should not be banned. There is not so much inappropriate content that one should take the book out of schools. There are only 5 remotely improper that I saw in the book.
The only reason that I see it could be banned is that some angry parents only read the first 60 pages. I also looked at some reviews on Amazon about why people did not like it. The majority of the negative reviews on the site said that the material was too mature for their twelve your old. This is pretty simple stuff. If the book is too mature for your kid, do not buy it for your kid.

It's purge time at the library. They start putting books or excess copies of books out for sale if nobody has borrowed them recently. So, I just requested this one. I try to borrow as many banned books as possible during "purge" month- so far, Vegan Virgin Valentine, Luna, and this book. Can anyone think of any others published in the past 5 years? These books are the ones usually purged of their "excess" copies.

As someone who has read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, I can say honestly that the claim that this book is inappropriate for students is absurd. The taboo topics discussed, like masturbation and racism, are not used in a destructive way. They are in the book, but in the most positive way possible. Any mention of racism is coupled with a defiant attitude towards it, and the word masturbation is used about 5 times throughout the book. None of the ugly behaviors described in the book are condoned by the author, and if anything, steer kids in the right direction where those issues are concerned. Parents should be more concerned with movies and TV shows that display positive attitudes about these topics rather than books that show how they are bad.

It always floors me that people are so much more concerned with their children having access to info about sex than being exposed to violence.

Kelly wrote: "It always floors me that people are so much more concerned with their children having access to info about sex than being exposed to violence."

I know, sexuality and "bad" language is anathema, but violence is somehow acceptable.

I agree that this novel should not be banned in any school. I am a sophomore in high school, and I read this book for my english class. Yes, it does have some inappropriate content here and there, but I think that is what makes Junior seem so authentic. Alexie does a great job emulating a normal fifteen year old boy who is in the early stages of puberty. In a way the crude content actually makes the book better for it gives the protagonist and other characters a sense of authenticity. This novel is an amazing piece of literature; the the towns that banned it are missing out!