** spoiler alert ** 
 Genre: Humor; realistic fiction; problem-solving. 
 Junior has some difficulties to overcome. He has a delicate brain, is susceptible to seizures, he stutters, he lisps, and he lives on the Spokane Indian Reservation with his dirt-poor family. Yet he loves to draw, is quite bright, has a great attitude, and has one best friend, Rowdy. Luckily the teacher Junior hit on the nose with a math book (after he discovered his mother had used the same book) notices some of Junior's better qualities, and encourages him to be somebody. 
 Unfortunately, for a Spokane Indian to be somebody, they need to leave the tribe behind. Junior knew that he would get a better education, and hence a better shot at life in the future, if he attended a different school. So Junior switches to an all-white school, whose mascot happens to be an Indian. Here he slowly makes his mark, starting by earning the respect of the toughest kid in the school, and then befriending the prettiest girl. Junior lets nothing stop him from getting what he wants, though the emotional hurt becomes difficult to handle when his tribe feels betrayed by him. Worst of all, Rowdy went from being his best friend to being his biggest enemy. Junior does his best to please everyone, but that can be difficult to accomplish. 
 This novel is as hard to put down as it is easy to read. The language and situations should feel natural and normal to any teen, regardless of their race. Junior rises above every obstacle that life throws his way, with his wit and attitude and drive propelling him forward. Feeling sorry for people generally does not do them much good, and the reader will not spend much time feeling sorry for them. Instead, they will root for him, bond with him, relish in his victories, and empathize with his hurts. To add to the enjoyment, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is sprinkled throughout with fantastic cartoons and drawings that Junior 'drew'.