Life on the Rez
What is the name of the reservation where Junior lives?
Spokane Indian Reservation
When Junior calls himself a “part-time Indian,” what kind of irony is present in this phrase?
Situational irony — his attempt to find a better future makes him feel divided instead of whole.
Who is Junior’s best friend from the reservation?
Rowdy
What is Junior’s favorite hobby?
Drawing cartoons
What medical condition does Junior have as a child?
Hydrocephalus (water on the brain)
What tragic event happens often to families on the rez?
Deaths related to alcohol
When Junior describes hope as “moving away from the reservation,” what literary device is this?
Metaphor — hope is compared to physical movement or escape.
Who becomes Junior’s friend and mentor at Reardan?
Gordy
What does Junior’s art symbolize in the book?
Hope and escape
What happens to Junior’s sister, Mary?
She dies in a trailer fire
What does Junior say is the worst thing about being poor?
Not being able to help the people you love
When Junior jokes about his family being poor while describing the pain it causes, what literary device is Alexie using?
Verbal Irony — using humor to reveal the harsh reality of poverty.
Who is Junior’s crush at Reardan?
Penelope
In what way does humor in Junior’s cartoons contribute to his identity?
It highlights his resilience and ability to face hardship with wit, showing a coping mechanism that defines him.
Name a major challenge that Junior faces at Reardan every day?
Racism and being the only Native student
What sport is most popular among the students at Wellpinit?
Basketball
Junior’s fight to belong at both Reardan and on the reservation represents what type of conflict?
Internal conflict (person vs. self) — struggling with identity and belonging.
Who encourages Junior to leave the reservation and attend Reardan?
Mr. P
What does the act of sharing his art with others say about Junior’s sense of self?
It shows growing confidence and a desire to connect, reflecting his evolving identity and willingness to be seen authentically.
What happens to Junior’s grandmother?
She is killed by a drunk driver
How far is the walk Junior sometimes has to make to or from Rearden?
22 miles.
Who wrote The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian?
Sherman Alexie
Name one way Rowdy shows that he still cares about Junior, even after feeling betrayed by him?
He secretly reads Junior’s comics, defends him in subtle ways, and plays hard against him to show respect.
What subject does Junior excel in at Reardan?
Math
How does poverty affect Junior’s school life?
He can’t always afford lunch or transportation.
What does the basketball court at Wellpinit represent for Junior and others on the rez?
It’s a place of pride, escape, and community — one of the few spaces where hope and competition still exist.
Junior’s cartoons often show exaggerated faces and broken hearts. What does this symbolize about his emotional and cultural world?
They symbolize the fracture between his identity as a Native boy and his hope to belong in two worlds.
What does Junior’s friendship with Rowdy symbolize by the end of the book?
It represents forgiveness and the enduring bond between two boys torn between pain, pride, and love.
What is his least favorite food?
Grapes.
What's the whole point of life according to Grandma?
Meeting new people.