So far in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, there has been a ton of action. The first major event in the book was Junior's dog dying. The next big action was Junior going to Reardan school which is the school in the town where the white kids go. Up to this point, I have found The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian easy and fun to read. I started to appreciate the book even more after we started out reading World Religions in global studies. I have learned many important life lessons from the viewpoint of Junior. I also learned more about the struggles of poverty and indigenous people.

One theme that was relevant throughout the section we have read was friendship. Junior does not have many friends but he has formed a deep connection with the few friends he has. The first example of this is when Junior and Rowdy are at the Spokane powwow:  

He shoved me to the ground and almost kicked me. He swung his leg at me, but pulled it back at the last second. I could tell he wanted to hurt me for laughing. But I am his friend, his best friend, his only friend. He couldn’t hurt me. (Alexie Revenge is my Middle Name)

The fact that Rowdy did not kick Junior shows that Rowdy cares for Junior. Rowdy would have kicked anyone else because Junior is his only friend. The second example of this is after Junior goes to Reardan School. He is in geology class and Gordy stands up for him when the teacher is mean to Junior. 

“Hey, Gordy,” I said. “Thanks.”
“Thanks for what?” he said.
“Thanks for sticking up for me back there. For telling Dodge the truth.”
“I didn’t do it for you,” Gordy said. “I did it for science.” (Alexie Slouching Toward Thanksgiving.

That is the first time someone is nice to Junior at Reardan. Junior and Gordy’s friendship gets stronger as time goes on. The last example of friendship is when Gordy helps Junior with his school work. 

And he certainly helped me through school. He not only tutored me and challenged me, but he made me realize that hard work—that the act of finishing, of completing, of accomplishing a task—is joyous. (Alexie Slouching Toward Thanksgiving) 

Gordy and junior are completely different but they share the mindset of wanting to improve. Gordy is smarter so he helps Junior because Junior wants to improve himself and deepen his friendship with Gordy.

Amir, I hope you thoroughly enjoy your time reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian because so far it has been one of the best books I’ve had to read for school. Do you agree with me?  

Sincerely,

Pete R.