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DRAFT! Argument Essay: Why Banning The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is not a good idea

By Alexi Bonfils

For the last month in ELA we have been focusing on banned books. Sherman Alexie’s best selling, and frequently challenged book, “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.” Is a book that I read, and I can’t believe it is being banned This book is about a 14-year-old native kid, Arnold who is funny, sensitive, and a growing artist. Arnold is going through puberty, but also has a disease that leaves him with a big head, a stutter, and lisp. Because of this he is bullied non-stop. The central conflict of this story is when Arnold leaves the Spokane Indian Tribe School, to go to an all white school that is looked down upon by the Indians. People want to ban this book, but they shouldn't because this book gives very good life lessons, and kids can learn from, and relate to this book.   

This book has a great message to go after your dreams. Arnold gets picked on at his reservation, and decides he wants to switch schools. “ ‘I want to go to Reardan,’ I said again. I couldn’t believe I was saying it, for me, it seemed as real as saying, ‘I want to fly to the moon.’ ‘Are you sure?’ my parents asked. ‘You could maybe wait till next semester break or until next year. Get a fresh start.’ ‘No, if I don’t go now, I never will. I have to go now.’ ‘Okay.’ They said.” From this quote we can tell that Arnold really wants to go to this school. This also shows Arnold being brave because he knows that all the Indians hate Reardan since it is filled with rich white kids, but he knows if he goes there he will get a better education. When children read this they will get inspired to be braver and go after what they want.

When Arnold gets to Reardan he doesn’t have any friends.  There is boy there named Gordy who Arnold thinks he could be good friends with. Gordy does not even know who he is, but still Arnold goes up and talks to him, “I looked at Gordy. He was a big kid, actually, strong from bucking bales and driving trucks. He was probably the strongest geek in the world.  ‘I want to be your friend,’ I said. ‘Excuse me?’ he asked ‘I want us to be friends,’ I said.”  This shows Arnold being brave because instead of just waiting for the day to come when Gordy talks to him, Arnold steps up and talks to Gordy, and by the end of the book him and Gordy are good friends. When children read this they will want to make friends, I know this because some kids are shy, and when they find out a way to do something they will try it. If you want to make a friend, but don't know how, then you won’t try. But if you read something that tells a story about someone making a friend, you will want to try that way out.

Arnold likes a girl at Reardan named Penelope. Penelope is a popular pretty white girl who doesn’t talk to Arnold at all. Arnold tries talking to her now and then and Penelope talks back, but they aren’t really friends. Arnold tries collecting money for charity with her, he helps her with problems, and by the end of the book they start to date. Not only does this give advice on how to make friends and a girl friend, but also it is another example of being brave, and when boys and girls read this they will also want to try to be braver. To add on it is coming from a boy close to the age of kids who normally read this book, so it is easy to relate to.

People who want to ban this book say it has subjects such as alcoholism so it should be banned. The book does talk about alcoholism, but shows a strong message against it. It explains why no one should ever consider becoming an alcoholic, or drinking and driving. Arnold explains throughout the book about what its like having an alcoholic dad, and even goes through deaths of people close to him because of alcohol induced situations, “I'm fourteen years old and I've been to forty-two funerals. That's really the biggest difference between Indians and white people. A few of my white classmates have been to a grandparent's funeral. And a few have lost an uncle or aunt. And one guy's brother died of leukemia when he was in third grade. But there's nobody who has been to more than five funerals. All my white friends can count their deaths on one hand. I can count my fingers, toes, arms, legs, eyes, ears, nose, penis, butt cheeks, and nipples, and still not get close to my deaths. And you know what the worst part is? The unhappy part? About 90 percent of the deaths are because of alcohol.” Kids who read this book will realize what can happen when you get drunk, and they will learn to make better choices. On http://www.nbcnews.com it says, “Alcohol abuse kills some 75,000 Americans each year and shortens the lives of these people by an average of 30 years, a U.S. government study suggested Thursday. Excessive alcohol consumption is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States after tobacco use and poor eating and exercise habits.” If this book were banned they would not get the chance to learn about how dangerous alcohol can be.

People also say it should be banned because it talks about masturbation. The thing is this is a book about a 14-year-old boy going through puberty. Most kids don’t want to go up to someone and ask questions, they would rather read about it, and keep it to themselves. This book helps kids learn about what’s going to happen to their body, and if this were banned boys and girls wouldn’t know what to do. Also parents get embarrassed about talking about this stuff, so why not give your child a book that he/she can relate to instead?

The book, “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” By Sherman Alexie should not be banned because it teaches kids to be brave and gives great life lessons. It as well gets kids ready to learn about what’s going to happen to their body. Some people want to ban this book because of it’s mentions of alcoholism and inappropriate words, but it talks how it is bad to drink alcohol, and kids can relate to the terms that Arnold says in this book. So the next time you need a book to read, read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian By Sherman Alexie and think about weather it should be banned or not!

Monday Muses

Monday Muses

Question:Write about something that you recently saw, did, thought or talked about, listened to, or watched that inspired you. It could be a fun activity that you did over the weekend, a sports game you participated in, movie you watched. Describe it.

I just came back from an auditon at Murrow High School for Drama. When we got there we got a worksheet that had a question on it that said, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

This made me think. I don't have a definite decision but I’m pretty sure I want to be an actress.

Since I was little, I loved to act. I would play family, dress up, vet, house and many other games that involved being a different character. I love acting because it is a bit of an escape from real life. It gives you the ability to make a new person out of yourself.

In MS 51, drama is my talent. I love it because in 6th grade, you start off with a big group of kids your age that you hardly know, and by the end of 8th grade you all become best friends - like family. We worked together two times every week for about an hour and a half (2 class periods) and practice things like rehearsing plays, improv, drama games, memorization. It is so much fun.

Other than in school, I have performed in plays in my summer community. One play I did was, Check Please, where I was a little boy and a mime. It was a really great experience because I got to work with adults instead of students. Also, when I was about 10-years old I wrote a play with my two friends called, Annie’s Parents, about a girl with crazy parents. I was the dad and everyone thought it was hilarious the way I looked in boy clothes.

There are so many famous actors and actresses that it inspires me to become one. I can’t believe I am even thinking of this now when I’m only 13. Overall I don't know what I definitely want to be when I grow up, but seeing a bunch of famous actors makes me want t become one.

DRAFT! Argument Essay: Why Banning The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is not a good idea

DRAFT! Argument Essay: Why Banning The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is not a good idea

By Alexi Bonfils

One of my favorite books is Sherman Alexie’s best selling, and frequently banned book, “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.” This book is about a 14 year old native kid, Arnold who is funny, sensitive, and a growing artist. Arnold is going through puberty, but also has a disease that leaves him with a big head, a stutter, and lisp. Because of this he is bullied non-stop. The central conflict of this story is when Arnold leaves the Spokane Indian Tribe School, to go to an all white school that is looked down upon by the Indians. People want to ban this book, but I think they shouldn't because this book gives very good life lessons, and kids can learn from, and relate to this book.   

This book has a great message to go after your dreams. Arnold gets picked on at his reservation, and decides he wants to switch schools. “I want to go to Reardan,” I said again. I couldn’t believe I was saying it, for me, it seemed as real as saying, “I want to fly to the moon.” “Are you sure?” my parents asked. “You could maybe wait till next semester break or until next year. Get a fresh start.” “No, if I don’t go now, I never will. I have to go now.” “Okay.” They said. This shows Arnold is very brave because he knows that all the Indians hate Reardan because it is filled with rich white kids, but he knows if he goes there he will get a better education. I think when kids read this they will get inspired to be braver and go after what they want.

When Arnold gets to Reardan he doesn’t have any friends.  There is kid there named Gordy who Arnold thinks he could be good friends with. Gordy does not even know who he is, but still Arnold goes up and talks to him, “I looked at Gordy. He was a big kid, actually, strong from bucking bales and driving trucks. He was probably the strongest geek in the world.  I want to be your friend,” I said. “Excuse me?” he asked “ I want us to be friends,” I said.” This shows Arnold being brave because instead of just waiting for the day to come when Gordy talks to him, Arnold steps up and talks to Gordy, and by the end of the book him and Gordy are good friends.

Arnold likes a girl at Reardan named Penelope. Penelope is a popular pretty white girl who doesn’t talk to Arnold at all. Arnold tries talking to her now and then and Penelope talks back, but they aren’t really friends. Arnold tries collecting money for charity with her, he helps her with problems, and by the end of the book they start to date. Not only does this give advice on how to make friends and a girl friend, but also it is another example of being brave, and when kids read this they will also want to try to be braver. To add on it is coming from a kid close to the age of kids who normally read this book, so it is easy to relate to.

People who want to ban this book say it has subjects such as alcoholism so it should be banned. The book does talk about alcoholism, but shows a strong message against it. It explains why no one should ever consider becoming an alcoholic, or drinking and driving. Arnold explains throughout the book about what its like having an alcoholic dad, and even goes through deaths of people close to him dying because of alcohol, “I'm fourteen years old and I've been to forty-two funerals. That's really the biggest difference between Indians and white people .A few of my white classmates have been to a grandparent's funeral. And a few have lost an uncle or aunt. And one guy's brother died of leukemia when he was in third grade. But there's nobody who has been to more than five funerals. All my white friends can count their deaths on one hand. I can count my fingers, toes, arms, legs, eyes, ears, nose, penis, butt cheeks, and nipples, and still not get close to my deaths. And you know what the worst part is? The unhappy part? About 90 percent of the deaths are because of alcohol.” Kids who read this book will realize what can happen when you get drunk, and they will learn to make better choices. If this book were banned they would not get the chance to learn this, and relate to it since it is coming from a boy near their age.

People also say it should be banned because it talks about masturbation. The thing is this is a book about a 14-year-old boy going through puberty. Most kids don’t want to go up to someone and ask questions, they would rather read about it, and keep it to themselves. This book helps kids learn about what’s going to happen to their body, and if this were banned kids wouldn’t know what to do. Also parents get embarrassed about talking about this stuff, so why not give your kid a book that he/she can relate to instead?

In conclusion the book, “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” By Sherman Alexie should not be banned because it teaches kids to be brave and gives great life lessons. It as well gets kids ready to learn about what’s going to happen to their body. Some people want to ban this book because of it’s mentions of alcoholism and inappropriate words, but it talks how it is bad to drink alcohol, and kids can relate to the terms that Arnold says in this book.

Monday Muses: A Memory From When I Was Little

A Memory From When I Was Little

Alexi Bonfils

When I was little I loved to play dress up, family, and vet. I would play dress up with my Dolls, family with my brothers- if they said yes, and vet with my stuffed animals. Being a little girl with two brothers, no one ever wanted to play with me, so I had to play by myself most of the time. Of course once in a while someone would agree to play- because who can turn down a cute little girl saying, “Will you pway dwess up with me pwease?”

I would always want to be the person in charge. In dress up I was the stylist, but I didn’t know what that was called so I would say dressing up person. In family I was the mommy, and in vet I was of course the vet. I still have notepads from when I would play vet that say Mr.Froggy was at the vet because he was having a hopping competion with Ms.Froggy and slipped on a rock and broke his leg. I also have little drawings of x rays of the bones that were  broken.

I am 13 now and I haven’t played these games in my house for a while, but in North Carolina I have a five year old cousin named Caroline who loves these games. Everytime I go down there she asks in her cute voice to play with her, and like said before It’s basically impossible to turn down a little girl asking you that, so I mostly always say yes.

I understand why my brothers would never want to play with me, because it gets really annoying being the same character everytime. She always wants to be the mommy! Although it gets annoying I want my cousin to grow up saying “My big cousin Alexi always used to play with me!’ instead of “My big cousin Alexi never used to play with me.”

Overall I think you should take advantage of being a kid, because when you are older you have to pay bills and all that yucky adult stuff. Think about one of your memories from when you are little, it is a great way to let out your inner child.

The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

“My head was so big that little Indian skulls orbited around it. Some of the kids called me Orbit. And other kids just called me Globe. The bullies would pick me up, spin me in circles, and put their finger on my skull, and say, I want to go there.” This is what Junior in the book, The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie, goes through every day in his school on the reservation. Junior has a variety of medical problems, which causes him to have a big head, and look funny. Everyone picks on him but his best friend Rowdy. Junior draws cartoons of what is happening around him, and his cartoons help him through life. The theme of this book is appreciate what you have because Junior lives in poverty but still never gives up.

Junior gets food once in a while and appreciates every bite, but he also appreciates every time he doesn't get a meal too. “And hey, in a weird way, being hungry makes food taste better. There is nothing better than a chicken leg when you haven’t eaten for (approximately) eighteen and a half hours. And believe me, a good piece of chicken can make anybody believe in the existence of god.” By Junior saying this he is showing that not eating for a while can bring some good to your self because now he appreciates what he has instead of wanting what he doesn't. When you don't get what you want are you angry, or do you appreciate what you did have? Think about that the next time something you want doesn't happen.

Junior has switched to the white school 22 miles from his reservation, it is Halloween, “At school today, I went dressed as a homeless dude. It was a pretty easy costume for me. There’s not much difference between my good and bad clothes, so I pretty much look half homeless anyway.” This shows Junior appreciating what he has because he could of cried and been angry about not having a Halloween costume, but instead he made a costume out of what he has, and ends up having the same costume as the girl he likes, and he starts becoming friends with her. Not having a costume actually ended up being a positive thing.

Junior get beat up a lot, almost everyday. He gets beat up by kids, and by adults. No one even cares that they are hurting him. The only person he has other than his family, is his friend Rowdy, “I think Rowdy might be the most important person in my life. Maybe more important than my family. Can your best friend be more important than your family?” this shows that just because Junior has such a hard life, he still appreciates that he has Roger, and that he is not bullying him.

In conclusion the theme of the book, The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is to appreciate what you have. This shows up when Junior appreciates not having a meal, when he makes a positive out of a negative when not having a costume, and forgetting the people who bully him and appreciate the people who don't bully him. This applies to my life because whenever I feel down I can just remember what I have and appreciate it.