Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

On page 11 of the book, Junior states

"I wanted to hate him for his weakness. I wanted to hate Dad and Mom for our poverty. I wanted to blame them for my sick dog and for all the other sickness n the world. But I can't blame my parents for our poverty because my mother and father are the twin suns around which I orbit and my world will EXPLODE without them."

What is your interpretation of this statement? Do you think there is an age level or a developmental level where children move on to a different perception of their parents? (or parent, or guardian/guardians)

Megan Deutschman: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

There is a reason why this book won the National Book award. It’s good. Really good. I’m a tough critic of literature…chalk it up to my B.A. in English or perhaps my tendency to have an opinion on everything. (Haha.) Anyway, I think this is a book worth teaching to students. The issues are relevant and can be made applicable to most students. Almost every student can identify with trying to fit in, race issues (even white kids), fighting with friends, teen angst, loss, death…and perhaps some can relate to the even "bigger" issues in this book: alcoholism, poverty, violence. I think this book is a wonderful one to integrate. It can tie into history, language arts, political science, etc. Wisconsin and Minnesota have a lot of reservations and used to be a home to many tribes of Indians; that is a lesson in itself. So to finally get into my question…do you agree or disagree with me? Is this the best book we have read for this class so far? Why? Why not? Do you agree with my assessment that this novel would be the most applicable and relatable for students?

Deep Question: Persepolis

In Persepolis, Marj takes a strong stance on the beliefs and opinions of her family and people close to her. As a teacher, what strategies might you use to intervene when two or more students engage in a heated discussion over a personal belief or opinion?

Deep Question: Persepolis

War is one of the major themes in the novel, Persepolis. On page 116, Marj is quoted saying, "When I think we should have avoided it all...it just makes me sick. A million people would still be alive." Being a U.S. citizen and connecting this to our own lives, this reminds me of some peoples' thoughts on the war in Iraq and Afganistan. Do you feel that the war the United States is involved in is something that should have been avoided? Or, do you think it was necessary that we got involved?

Persepolis

The main character in the novel Persepolis is very outspoken child. She is growing up in a time when being outspoken about opposing viewpoints is against the law and those who spoke out paid the price. If the United States was no longer a democracy and you could be jailed and tortured for your view points would you still speak out against the government? Do you think this would ever happen in the "Land of the Free"? In what ways do we as citizens speak out against our government today?

Absolutely True Diary Deep Question

Alcoholism is described by Junior, particularly towards the end of the book, as a major problem on his reservation and in most Native American reservations. Alcohol caused the death of his grandmother, his sister, and a family friend. He emphasized the vast majority of deaths on his reservation are alcohol related. Why do you think many of the Spokane Native Americans are alcoholics? Have you ever been to a reservation and seen evidence to refute or confirm Junior's criticism of Native Americans having a problem with alcohol?

Deep question:Persepolis

I found it very interesting that as a ten-year-old Marji was very versed in politics. Her family included her in discussions and never sugar-coated the complexities of the world. Do you think we as a country have done a disservice to our youth by not allowing them to explore the complexities of political discussion. It seems as though our educational system tries to portray things in a "politically correct" manner. What is the rationale behind it. Do we as a nation undermine the true value of education by not discussing controversial topics? Does this cause the youth in our country to exist in a protective vacuum?