Sherman Alexie’s “True Diary”

Jan 6, 2016 | E9 Honors, English 9

About the Novel & Unit

Sherman Alexie’s “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” is an award-winning fictional (but clearly strongly autobiographical) novel that follows the life of Junior – a Spokane Indian – as he navigates the challenges life throws his way as a teenager. Here are some resources to help you better understand, comprehend and analyze this novel, and make strong connections to the concepts we have already studied this year:

Special Request From Mr. DeMiero & Mr. Smiley

  • This novel is going to challenge us in some unique ways. While the author, Sherman Alexie, and illustrator, Ellen Forney, use a great deal of humor throughout the text, there are also some incredibly serious and sensitive issues that Alexie – through Junior, the novel’s protagonist – addresses. Junior often uses frank, blunt language in his diary and that’s what you’d expect, I suppose, if you were given the privilege and permission to read somebody’s most intimate thoughts. So, our request is quite simple: Please treat this material seriously and sensitively, keeping in mind that other people in class may have a significantly different reaction than you might have. If you have any questions or concerns about this or any other aspect of this unit, you may always speak to either one of us at any time. Thanks!

Background Webquest

  • (See the Google Classroom instructions)

Parent/Guardian/Student Introductory Letter

Objective Overview

Socratic Book Club Table Groups

  • E9P2 – Coming soon!
  • E9P5 – Coming soon!
  • E9P6 – Coming soon!

Socratic Book Club Reading/Question Assignments

  • Coming soon!

Socratic Seminar Preparation

  • Coming soon!

Commentary on Alexie & the Novel

 

… more to come.