On the Shelf

I love rereading books. Books are almost better the second time around, you can catch all of the details you didn't get the first time and you know what's coming, so you're not so overcome with emotion when something dramatic happens. When you're crying, you generally start to skip things and miss important details, at least I do.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is one to read. And reread. And rereread.
It's the tale of Junior, a dirt poor Native American teen, riddled with medical, emotional, and every other type of problems. After being expelled from his reservation high school, Junior is faced with a choice, and he chooses the lesser of two evils and decides to go to the all white high school in a neighboring town. A school filled with white kids that are filled with hope and money and the only other Indian is the school mascot.

Junior's journey is chronicled with wit, joy, tears, and hilarious cartoons that he draws throughout the story. How can a teen overcome grief, first love, poverty, and trying to fit in all while being marked by as a traitor by his tribe and trying to get good grades in a place that he doesn't belong?

Some might say friendship, that's how he gets along. That is the biggest cliché I've ever heard. It's partially true, the new friends he makes help him keep his head above water, but they never really understand his situation. After all, they have futures and things to look forward to while Junior's future is looking bleak. 

After winning the basketball game against his former school, Junior reflects on the impact of the win:

Okay so maybe my white teammate had problems, serious problems, but none of their problems were life threatening. 
But I looked over at the Wellpinit Redskins, at Rowdy [his old best friend from the reservation]. 
I knew that two or three of those Indians might not have eaten brekafast that morning. 
No food in the house. ...
I knew that none of them were going to college. Not one of them.

I don't think Junior gets his strength from his friends, his dwindling family, or his teachers, but from himself. This is also a giant cliché, but it's true. Junior knows that he could do something if he wanted to, make a better life for himself. He could get out. He also knows that he deserves it, which is the hardest for most people to grasp. Everyone deserves it. 

This blog post has been brought to you by the letter "C" for Cliché, Campy, and Corny