Must Read Now: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Must Read Now is a semi-regular feature here at the Bookshelf, where I spotlight books that, while they're too old and too popular already for me to consider doing a full review on, I just can't stop talking about and feel the need to share. The last time I wrote one of these, I wrote about the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness. Today, I'm writing about a book I loved even more:

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
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In his first book for young adults, bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by acclaimed artist Ellen Forney, that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.

Never had a book made me laugh, cry, grin, melt, and cringe all on the same page...until The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Never had I been so emotionally affected by a book I found myself cry-laughing about it a week later...until The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Sherman Alexie hasn't just written a book, he's written a life, because Junior is hands down the most vivid character I've ever read in fiction. Writers, don't miss it. Also notable is the art, which is so perfect for the story I can't begin to imagine the book without it.

In short, I can't believe I waited this long to read this book. If you're waiting...QUIT. Just read it, and thank me later.

Now excuse me while I go re-read it.