Sherman Alexie's "Flight" by Brian

Sherman Alexie's "Flight" by Brian - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

In my five years of teaching, I have never seen more student engagement with a reading than I have while teaching Sherman Alexie's Young Adult novel "Flight". I used to teach in an alternative school in South Philadelphia. This school housed reluctant readers, hesitant students and book discussion was rare. It was not until I decided to read "Flight" that I had experienced students who could not stop talking about the book. Many of my students would ask if they could read ahead. Others asked if they could read other material by Alexie. I could not believe my eyes or ears. This is what (English) teachers dream of.

True, “Flight” may be considered racy, at times. Yes, some of the content can be deemed as mature. Alexie additionally has been honored with a banned book or two. None of these can, or should not, detract from allowing readers to experience this book.

The book is about a 15-year-old orphan named Zits. Zits, aptly named due to his teenaged acne, is quite the character. He is of Native American heritage. He is crass, crude, rude, you name it. However, he does have a soft side which comes to light through the reading of this story. In an exciting tale where Zits whips around history through important moments in Native American History, we are along for the ride as he additionally learns about his own history. Are these lessons enough to right the wrongs of Zits’ former self? I guess we can only find out if this is assigned reading for our nation’s high schools!