The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
By Sherman Alexie
"Budding cartoonist Junior leaves his troubled school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white farm town school where the only other Indian is the school mascot." - HELM
Why was this book challenged?
Banned book element tile
Reasons: Sexual Content, Language
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is among the American Library Association's Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022. According to the ALA, the book was challenged due to profanity, as well as claims that it is sexually explicit.
Ways to read this book at STCC!
Members of the STCC community have full borrowing privileges at the STCC Library, located in Building 19, 2nd Floor, provided they are actively registered in the college system and their records are in good standing.
Database access and e-content is available to all students, faculty, and staff using the following credentials:
Username: STCC ID number
Password: Last name in capital letters.
Content Note: According to New York Times reporter Emma Goldman, some teachers and students have questioned the ethics of reading works by Alexie. The author has been accused of sexual assault by multiple “Native women writers who saw Alexie as a mentor or colleague” (Gupta, 2018).
Additional Resources and Accessibility
If you prefer to listen to your books, or if the print or EBook versions of this book are checked out at STCC, you have additional checkout options through Massachusetts public libraries. CW/MARS and Boston Public Library eCards will give you access to EBook and Audiobook versions of this book. You can also download the Libby app to listen to audiobooks on your smartphone. These resources are outside of STCC Library, please consult your local public library for any questions regarding these outside resources.
Check public libraries in Western Massachusetts via CW/MARS:
Residents of Massachusetts can sign up for a Boston Public Library eCard, to access their digital materials such as eBooks and downloadable audiobooks. Follow the instructions on the BPL's website: