Final

Argument Essay Based on “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian”

Tai Brown                                                                                                                                                 808

Sex, violence, theft, poverty, prostitution, drugs,  and alcohol can all be found in children libraries that parents will become objectionable towards. Parents fear that the books that are chosen to be read by children could possibly cause them to lack educational thought throughout their school day. Many adults think Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian is considered inappropriate because of it’s use of bad language, attempts of committing suicide, and it’s racial comments, therefore they think it should be limited from student libraries. This book shouldn’t be limited towards the 8th graders and up because the author wants the reader to realize that there’s always hope to look upon on and that situations can become improvements.

The reason why this book shouldn’t be limited towards 8th and above graders because this can help the reader find hope. To begin with, in the chapter Hope Against Hope, Junior was able to obtain advice from his teacher Mr. P “son, you’re going to find more and more hope the farther and farther you walk away from this sad, sad, sad reservation” (43).  This explains the reason why Junior choose to switch schools because he wanted to find more hope in his education. Junior didn’t really know how to write, but when he decides to transfer into Reardan high school, he finds a friend named Gordy who is willing to help him improve his writing skills. This proves that the choice of switching schools was going to give him more hope in his education.

Secondly, this book gives the readers advice such as what to do when releasing anger. To begin with, when Junior realized that hitting the teacher with the textbook was wrong, Mr.P sat down with him and forgave him for his wrong doings: “Mr.P realized that I threw that book was because I was releasing my anger” (41). Although that’s something you should never do, you should just do something small that would release your anger or just excuse yourself from others to do it in private. Junior was releasing anger because everyone on the rez is poor and the proper education isn’t being given.

Lastly, many adults view this book as inappropriate content because of it’s use of foul language etc. To start off, many parents are beginning to take action in their child's reading life because of all of the dramatic titles and covers children notice that seem enjoyable. In addition,  In this book it includes “sexually explicit content” (10 Books). In addition, this may include sexually explicit content because “I admit that I masturbate” (26). Parents may find this as objectionable content because it's not teaching their children anything,. However, this is human behavior and surprising it can prevent cancer surprising it can prevent cancer, this is a fact children can learn from . Usually parents also judge a book to early because usually it's the good books that often have a lesson at the end of the story.

In conclusion, many people view Sherman Alexie's The absolutely true diary of a part time Indian as a book with bad language however, I believe this book has lessons that teach you a lot about hope and the true meaning of friendship which is trust and honesty. And gives a child productive ideas and an idea on what to read next.

 Work Cited

“Bad Books Make Good Reading”, Scholastic 2013

“10 Books”

Reyes, Maridel. “5 Health Benefits of Masturbation”: Mens Health. December 29, 2011

“Has young Adult Fiction Become Too Dark?”, Mary Elizabeth Williams, Mon 6, 2011.

“Why The Best Books Are Written In Blood” Alexie, Sherman