Reading "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian" by Sherman Alexie, is an interesting book to read. It seems to tell a story of a young Indian boy, growing up on a reservation with all the ups and downs of childhood. What it really is, is a story about life and how its a struggle to live it, wherever you're from, Ghetto (reservations), Flat lands (reservations), Suburban (reservations), or Wealthy Gated Community (reservations). They are all places where you have a knowledge of a style of life and only that style of life, and how only knowing one style of life always is limiting to your growth and well-being as a complete individual.
Therefore what I would tell a young readers is, "I have a book you would like and it's about you". It's funny and interesting. I wouldn't use words like "thought provoking", "insightful", or even "helpful". I would tell him/her that I saw them all the way through it. And to see if they could find the part that is talking about them. Being young, it always has to be about them. Lets see if I peaked they're curiosity.
So as I said earlier, it doesn't matter which "reservation" you're from. For example, If you're from the Ghetto reservation, all you know is your friends and family, strife, struggle, difficult times and a constant mindset of hustle just to survive. But you still know, even though everyday looks bad there can more than that available to you "out there in the world".
Now for the opposite end of the spectrum: Example #2.
You could be from the "Wealthy Gated Community reservation". All you know is the "lifestyle of the rich and famous", fast luxury cars, lavish home, abundant money, and privilege. But as you grow and learn there is a whole other life outside those lavish walls you "hopefully" feel you need to know more about that side of life also (not want to be poor), so as to develop into a well rounded person with empathy, understanding, compassion and kinship with others. To be, all you can be.
Myron
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