Welcome to our 26th episode in the monthly book discussion series hosted by Marisa Serafini (@serafinitv) and myself, Phil Svitek. If books are your passion, you've come to the right place! In this episode, we delve into The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. It is a first-person narrative novel by Sherman Alexie, from the perspective of a Native American teenager, Arnold Spirit Jr., also known as "Junior," a 14-year-old promising cartoonist. The book is about Junior's life on the Spokane Indian Reservation and his decision to go to a nearly all-white public high school away from the reservation. The graphic novel includes 65 comic illustrations that help further the plot. Although critically acclaimed, The Absolutely True Diary has also been the subject of controversy and has consistently appeared on the annual list of frequently challenged books since 2008, becoming the most frequently challenged book from 2010 to 2019. Controversy stems from how the novel describes alcohol, poverty, bullying, violence, sexuality and bulimia. As a result, a small collective of schools have challenged it, and some schools have blocked the book from distribution in school libraries or inclusion in the curricula. Join the conversation! Share your thoughts, queries, and viewpoints in the comments or connect with Marisa (@serafinitv) and me on social media. In our upcoming discussion, we'll explore On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vaung. And be sure to catch Marisa's new podcast, "Friends & Favorites w/Marisa Serafini," available at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/friends-and-favorites-w-marisa-serafini/id1693327509. For more insightful resources from your 360 creative coach, visit my website at http://philsvitek.com. Thank you for tuning in, and we're eager to hear your thoughts on this captivating book! #bookclub #bookreview #shermanalexie Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe! Yours truly, Phil Svitek Filmmaker, author, podcaster & 360 Creative Coach ⁠http://philsvitek.com⁠