Poems about A.T.D.A.P.T.I

In class a little more than week ago we were writing poems about ourselves and The Absolute True Diary of a part-time Indian. Here are the poems and why we think the characters are leaders.


I think that Penelope is a leader because even though she is going through a lot she still stays strong and keeps up a good image for her friends.


Where I’m from


By Penelope


I am from being popular, 

from Stanford and art.

I am from a racist dad.

I am from dreaming and the bulimia.

I am from crying and loneliness,

from being pretty and smart and being scared.

I am from wanting to be remembered.

From being blonde and a kind boyfriend.

I am from wanting to leave.

I'm from having a fake image, from being white.

From wanting to travel the world,

I am from volleyball.

from wanting to study architecture.

I am from mostly happy life .



I think Rowdy is a leader because he is there for Junior telling everything to him straight, even after they got into a fight by the end he was there again.



Where I’m from


By: Rowdy


I am from the kiddie comics like Richie Rich,

from powwows, and getting drunk.

I am from the war paint of the bruises my dad gave me.

I am from the biggest tree on the rez, and climbing it with Junior.

I am from tough love and always being real with my best friend.

I am from my dad coming in drunk and swinging,

all the alcoholics in our town.

I am from the Native American culture that it seems like no one cares about anymore,

just like our people.

I am from the long history of our people,

and from fry bread.

I am from fighting all the time even when I was a baby.

I am from my best friend who left me, even though I always knew he had to.