The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian Reading Circle & Discussion

Description

 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time IndianReading Circle & Discussion


Ron Welburn (Gingaskin/Assateague/Cherokee/African-American), poet and professor of English at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, leads a discussion of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, by Sherman Alexie (Spokane). Alexie's first young adult novel is a semiautobiographical chronicle of Arnold Spirit, aka Junior, a bright 14-year-old born with water on the brain. Junior expects disaster when he transfers from the reservation school to a public school, but soon finds himself making friends with both geeky and popular students and starting on the basketball team. Meeting his old classmates on the court, Junior grapples with questions about what constitutes one's community, identity, and tribe. His story delivers a positive message in Alexie's often humorous tale of self-discovery. Participants can borrow copies of the book from the Research Library or purchase one in the Museum gift shop. In the Research Library. Limited to 20 participants, ages 16 and older. Call (860) 396-6897 by Oct. 1 to register. Free.