Module 15 Censorship Issues

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian 

by Sherman Alexie and illustrated by Ellen Forney

Summary

Junior has been bullied all his life.  He is an awkward teenager with a love for comics and only one friend.  During his freshman year in high school a conversation with his teacher forces him to consider the possibilities of life outside the reservation.  Despite, his fear of leaving the reservation, Junior enrolls in white school with the hope of bettering his future.  He is not welcomed into the new school, but for the first time in his life Junior stands up to his tormentor.  Although, his time at school improves, Junior experiences loss and heartbreak throughout the novel.  He makes a name for himself playing basketball and his biggest rival is his best friend from the reservation.      

Bibliographic Citation

Alexie, S. (2007). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York: Little Brown and Company.

My Impressions of the Book

Reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, is like glimpsing into someone’s world, but they are completely unaware of the intrusion.  No detail of the story has been omitted for vanity’s sake.  Junior cries whether he is scared, devastated, or in pain.  He vomits when his nerves get the best of him.  The character possesses a raw honesty and frequently shares his inner most thoughts.  I cheered for his success and mourned for his losses.  Junior is a lovable character.  It is Alexie’s willingness to share all the character’s flaws and gift him with complete honesty and unreserved humor that make the novel such an interesting and memorable read.

Reviews 

Exploring Indian identity, both self and tribal, Alexie's first young adult novel is a semiautobiographical chronicle of Arnold Spirit, aka Junior, a Spokane Indian from Wellpinit, WA. The bright 14-year-old was born with water on the brain, is regularly the target of bullies, and loves to draw. He says, "I think the world is a series of broken dams and floods, and my cartoons are tiny little lifeboats." He expects disaster when he transfers from the reservation school to the rich, white school in Reardan, but soon finds himself making friends with both geeky and popular students and starting on the basketball team. Meeting his old classmates on the court, Junior grapples with questions about what constitutes one's community, identity, and tribe. The daily struggles of reservation life and the tragic deaths of the protagonist's grandmother, dog, and older sister would be all but unbearable without the humor and resilience of spirit with which Junior faces the world. The many characters, on and off the rez, with whom he has dealings are portrayed with compassion and verve, particularly the adults in his extended family. Forney's simple pencil cartoons fit perfectly within the story and reflect the burgeoning artist within Junior. Reluctant readers can even skim the pictures and construct their own story based exclusively on Forney's illustrations. The teen's determination to both improve himself and overcome poverty, despite the handicaps of birth, circumstances, and race, delivers a positive message in a low-key manner. Alexie's tale of self-discovery is a first purchase for all libraries.-Chris Shoemaker, New York Public Library

Shoemaker, C. (2007, September 1). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. [Review of the book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by S. Alexie]. School Library Journal, 190.

Ideas for Library Use

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian could be displayed with a number of other wonderful novels to celebrate banned book week.  Let’s encourage students to read and not limit their access to information.  Students could also participate in a library blog to support their favorite challenged books.

Module 14 Poetry and Story Collections

Crossing Stones 

by Helen Frost

Summary

Muriel Jorgensen is an outspoken eighteen year old during World War I.  She is reprimanded during school for speaking out against the war.  When her long time friend and neighbor, Frank Norman leaves for the war she realizes how much she will miss him.  Then her younger brother Ollie enlists and heads to basic training without telling the family.  Muriel and Frank become pen pals and the army censors much of what he writes Muriel.  Muriel’s Aunt actively speaks up for women’s rights and ends up in jail.  The family battles illness and loss, but Muriel finds her place in the world.

Bibliographic Citation

Frost H. (2009). Crossing Stones. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

My Impressions of the Book

Crossing Stones is a delightful read.  It is written in verse and features the voices of Muriel, Ollie (her brother), and Emma (Frank’s sister).  Muriel struggles to find her place and supports her aunt’s quest to earn the right to vote for women.  In the novel her mother tells her “Maybe you won’t rock a cradle, Muriel.  Some women seem to prefer to rock the boat” (35).  Each of the poems ties in nicely with the next to form a cohesive and detailed story.  Muriel’s poems stand out with a zigzag pattern that mimics the rushing water of the river.      

Reviews 

The children of the Norman and Jorgensen families have grown up together, with their family farms located on either side of Crabapple Creek In 1917, the outbreak of World War I shatters their idyllic lives: strong-willed Muriel opposes it, but the two young men, Frank and her brother, Ollie, enlist and are soon sent overseas. Muriel's lively personality comes alive in free-verse poems that roam across the page like tie free-flowing waters of tie creek "My mind sets off at a gallop/down that. twisty road, flashes by 'Young Lady,'/hears the accusation in it-as if it's/a crime just being young, and 'lady'/is what anyone can see I'll never be/...." The poems of Ollie and friend Emma are written in "cupped-hand" sonnets; their rounded shapes resemble the crossing stones of tie creek and record their growing love. While tie young men find themselves amidst the horrors of trench warfare, their families attempt to cope with their absence. Muriel travels to Washington, DC, to be with her aunt Vera, a suffragist who is recovering from a hunger strike; joins picketers at tie While House; and helps out in a settlement house. Back home, youngest sister Grace comes down with influenza. Frost's warmly sentimental novel covers a lot of political, social, and geographical ground, and some of the supporting characters are not fully fleshed out. But this is Muriel's story, and her determined personality and independence will resonate with readers, especially those who've enjoyed the works of Karen Hesse. --Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library

Taniguchi, M. (2009, June). Crossing Stones. [Review of the book Crossing Stones, by H. Frost].  School Library Journal, 55, 10, 126.

Ideas for Library Use

In April create a poetry book display.  Include Crossing Stones and be sure to add a variety of examples to fully represent the genre.  Invite students to a poetry slam to allow students to express themselves and expose those new to poetry to the sound and rhythm of it.

Module 13 Graphic Novels and Series Books

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw 

by Jeff Kinney

Summary

Greg Heffley is always getting into trouble.  And to make matters worse things never go his way.   Greg receives silly gifts for his birthday, his brother constantly picks on him, and he simply can’t please his father.  Greg is forced into doing his own laundry and decides it would be better to wear dirty clothes.  When his father hears how well boarding school helped a neighbor Greg agrees to join the soccer team in order to please his dad.  It turns out sports aren’t his area of expertise either.  Later, Greg accidentally distracts party goers.  This allows his father to leave the party early and Greg ends the novel in his father’s good graces.   

Bibliographic Citation

Kinney, J. (2009). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw. New York: Amulet Books.

My Impressions of the Book

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw is a fun read.  It actually falls into the category illustrated novel not a graphic novel.  The humor in the novel stems from Greg’s inability to take responsibility for anything.  So many of the bad situations he finds himself in are the direct result of his poor choices or outright laziness.  

Reviews 

Greg Heffley's crazy antics continue in this latest installment in the series. Kinney portrays humorous and touching family dynamics between the boy and his competitive father, whom he seems to disappoint numerous times. The fast-paced narrative successfully balances Greg's home and school life, revealing an egocentric yet lovable character. As in the previous books, cartoons and journal entries blend seamlessly to convey Greg's middle school angst. His uncanny ability to fall into amusing predicaments will win even more converts to this popular series. His witty voice coupled with memorable characterization will have this offering flying off the shelves.-Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

Smith, M. (2009, April 1). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw. [Review of the book Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by J. Kinney]. School Library Journal, 137.

Ideas for Library Use

Pairing graphics and text makes for a fun read.  Challenge students to create their own graphic or illustrated novel.  The winner could be featured on the library website.