Part-Time Indian

            The first thing that struck me about this book is how close to home it hits for us and yet I had never even heard of the book or author. The fact that this book is under scrutiny as I discovered looking at some of the back story online did not strike me as odd, but I would still use this book within a classroom especially around here as it is so close to home and could relate to many kids throughout these school districts. While there is a lot of death and deep troubling problems within this book, I believe that the pros outweigh the cons and teaching this book has many upsides which we might possibly see throughout the lesson plans.

            When it comes to the story itself I was interested in reading about a Native American child in this situation because of how I have some Indian heritage throughout my family. Within the book I was not expecting all of the tragedies that Arnold was forced to face. All of these instances caught me off guard as I expected from the book something different. While this story takes on serious topics, the comedy gives relief from them and possibly helps with how children would be able to understand this book and possibly take time off from all of the tragedies. I found the story very tough as we learn about Arnold, because he has everything going against him. I did not expect things such as this to hold back Arnold before reading this book. He had everything going against him and that made this a very exciting book to read. The fact that Arnold transferred to a school full of rich white people puzzled me because while he is getting away from the reservation and all of those disadvantages, he seemed to have stepped right into more of those same dilemmas. I find it very noble that Arnold still can relate with his fellow friends from his former school. Arnold still has feelings such as after the basketball game where they defeat his former best friend Rowdy and Arnold weeps after seeing the sadness.

            This book portrays a child and going through unthinkable tragedies. I found myself constantly thinking how someone can keep going after experiencing all of this. I just could not imagine everything happening to me like this and still being able to make it day to day. Everything was set against Arnold within this story and I am not sure I could have made it.