Book Review: 'The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian' by Sherman Alexie

✰✰✰✰✰ Arnold (Junior) Spirit is the town misfit. Born with "water on the brain," the odds have always been stacked against him. Life was a challenge from day 1, but luckily Junior was also born with a sense of humor and is surprisingly bright. After challenging a teacher in class, Junior is sure he will be in big trouble. Yet, the teacher surprises him with his honestly. It's a moment that will change the trajectory of Junior's life as he is inspired to make a big decision. 

Making the switch from the high school on the rez to the predominantly white high school in the nearby town is a huge deal...for everyone. Junior doesn't immediately fit in at his new school, but now his former friends at his old school treat him like a traitor. Junior finds himself navigating between the two worlds even as tragedy strikes his family several times. Nevertheless, Junior perseveres. Join Junior's journey from misfit to hero as he learns about life and what it takes to get by in this world.

The Bottom Line: When a school committee in my hometown, suggested removing this book from its high school required reading list, I just had to pick it up to see why. Yes, it's filled with racial slurs, discrimination, and sexual situations, but this book is a gem. This is just the kind of book that should be included on high school reading lists because of the honesty that comes through in the writing. Written from the point of view of a 14-year-old, Native American boy, this gripping novel is gritty, witty, and raw.  There is so much to discuss in this coming-of-age novel. There are no wasted words here, and Ellen Forney's art is spot-on in depicting what a teen might draw. Highly recommended for young adults, teachers, and parents. I strongly suggest you pick this powerful book up and give it a read even if it makes you uncomfortable. Or maybe, especially if it makes you uncomfortable.

Details: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie with art by Ellen Forney. Hardcover published by Little, Brown and Company in 2007. 229 p. ISBN: 978-0-316-01368-0  

Book Review: 'Just Mercy' by Bryan Stevenson

✰✰✰½ Decades ago Bryan Stevenson was a law student who really didn't have any idea of what he wanted to do. Fate intervened, and Stevenson ended up in an internship that sent his to tell a prisoner that he wasn't going to dies within the next year. That encounter became the catalyst for what would become Stevenson's life's work, helping individuals on death row.

A few years later, Stevenson met Walter “Johnny D.” McMillian on Alabama’s death row. McMillian, an African American, had been found guilty of murdering a young white woman, Ronda Morrison, even though he had a solid alibi for the time of the murder. As Stevenson learned more about McMillian’s case, there were just too many red flags. This book takes a look at the issues surrounding McMillian’s conviction and eventual release. Stevenson also includes stories about other cases that are equally troubling as well as information about the work of the Equal Justice Initiative.

The Bottom Line: This prize winning book is sure to provoke serious discussion about capital punishment. Throughout the book Stevenson asks thoughtful questions as he tells the stories of several incarcerated individuals. Highly recommended for colleges and individuals interested in death penalty and social justice issues.

Book Club Notes: On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest, the book averaged 3.67 stars. Several in our group were not able to finish the book, but the parts they finished provoked strong emotions. This book could have almost been two books: one about McMillian’s case and the other about social justice issues.

The movie, on the other hand, averaged 5 stars. Our group was in agreement that the movie was excellent. It portrayed the essence of Stevenson’s message without getting bogged down with details like the book.

On a final note, it troubled us that the murder of Ronda Morrison remains unsolved. We longed for more information about Morrison, but there was little in the book.

Recommended for thought-provoking discussions in criminal justice classes, church groups, and others concerned with social justice. This is a challenging, but timely, topic.

Discussion guides are plentiful. Here are links to several different ones: Equal Justice Initiative, Teach With Movies, Beaverton Library, Mount Prospect Library, Define American, Freshman Year Reading Guide from Random House, Georgetown Public Library, Catholic Mobilizing Network, and St. Mary Immaculate Parish. Finally, you can supplement your discussion with the interview on 60 Minutes. 

Details: Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson. Paperback published in 2015. 368 p. ISBN: 978-0-8129-8429-8496-5 

Book Review: 'The Freedom Writers Diary' by the Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell

✰✰✰✰½ When a rookie English teacher, Erin Gruwell, is faced with 150 Freshmen remedial students, it's time to sink or swim. Looking around her classroom on the first day, she is struck by the way they segregate themselves into groups based on race: Black, Asian, and Latino, with a lone Caucasian student lost in the crowd.

Gruwell, comes up with an idea to get the kids to write by having each keep a journal. They can write anything they want with no repercussions, and write, they do. Gruwell soon realizes that for many of these kids, just surviving the streets is an accomplishment. By listening carefully and creating interactive activities, Gruwell encourages the students to see how similar they are to one another rather than focusing on differences. And for the first time, many of these kids find an adult who is actually taking an interest in them.

As the students move through grades 9, 10, 11, and 12, something wonderful happens. They begin to believe there's more out there than just gang fights and the streets. They learn about respect and begin to have dreams. Together, they compiled this book, which covers a wide range of social issues. Together, they garnered world-wide attention and demonstrated tolerance. Together, they did what most adults thought they couldn't: graduate and go to college.

For a dose of inspiration, pick up this book and read what can happen with a little nurturing and respect. Since this is the 20th anniversary edition, it also includes both tenth-anniversary and twentieth-anniversary entries.

The Bottom Line: This is a story about transformation and coming of age during a time when riots in L.A. were common. Highly recommended reading for high school and college programs. Also, recommended reading for parents and educators. Even though this was written over twenty years ago, many of the topics are still relevant today, maybe even more so.

Book Club Notes: This was one of the titles we did not have the opportunity to discuss last year as we were learning how to Zoom. Now we are finally catching up. After a year of students learning remotely, it was interesting to read about the experiences these students had back in the 1990s. We discussed how different it is to learn in-person vs. remotely. We also discussed how the topics from more than twenty years ago are still hot button topics now.

About half of our group also watched the film. We were impressed that many of the key roles were played by teens with no formal training in acting. The combination of well-known celebrities with unknown actors and real Holocaust survivors made the film more authentic. Overall, this was an enjoyable transformation film. 

On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest, we rated the book an average of 4.8, and the movie received 4.6. We appreciated the honesty of everyone as they told their compelling stories. Highly recommended for teens, teachers, aspiring teachers, and parents. [NOTE: This book contains some incidents which may be troubling for sensitive readers.] 

To help guide your book discussion, you can check out The Freedom Writers: Express Yourself Discussion Guide here. Also, check out how the movie differs from the book here.

Details: The Freedom Writers Diary (20th anniversary edition): How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them by The Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell. Paperback published by Broadway Books in 2019. 448 p. ISBN: 978-0385494229