The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

by Sherman Alexie

Reviewed by Dennis

"I think the world is a series of broken dams and floods, and my cartoons are tiny little lifeboats."

Alexie's first young adult novel is a semiautobiographical chronicle of Arnold Spirit, aka Junior, a Spokane Indian. Born with water on the brain and being in the top of his class , Arnold is regularly the target of bullies. His love for drawing is his only outlet for escape from his bleak surrounding.

The artwork of Ellen Forney is a perfect match to the endearing and heartbreaking writing of Alexie. Told with the wit, humor and raw truthfulness of a 14 year old there are times when you are bursting laughing one page then sobbing the next.

A tour de force for Alexie's first jump into young adult writing. I highly suggest this read for teens who feel they are on the fringe and adults who grew up there.

Mississippi Sissy

by Steven

Reviewed by Steven

Mississippi Sissy
Kevin Sessums

Growing up gay in 1960's Mississippi wasn't much fun. Racism and homophobia were the order of the day. In Mississippi Sissy we are transported to this world, replete with hurt and sadness,but not the bitterness you might expect. Growing up as an outsider gave Sessums strength and resiliance - two qualities that shine through on every page. His circle of friends provided the family that he always craved, and serving as "den mother" to him and his coterie of thespian buddies was Eudora Welty! By turns funny and sad, this is a wise, well-balanced memoir.

http://www.mississippisissy.com/

The God of Animals

by Aryn Kyle

Reviewed by Steven

Another coming of age story? Haven't we read everything there is to read about growing up yet? Not quite.
The God of Animals is, technically, a coming-of-age novel, but it is a fresh and challenging one. It's full of characters, likable and not, that feel like real people. Narrated by Alice Winston, a 12-year old girl growing up on a horse ranch full of broken-down horses and breaking-down people, the story covers some dark territory. But the narrator's curiosity and spirit keep the book from ever getting bogged down. Though the story is anything but a "feel good" one, whenever I read a book that is as well written and compelling as this one, it makes me feel good.

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