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81 pages 2 hours read

Flight: A Novel

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2007

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Book Brief

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Sherman Alexie

Flight

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2007
Book Details
Pages

181

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Seattle, Washington • 2000s

Publication Year

2007

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16-18 years

Lexile Level

550L

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Super Short Summary

In Flight, 15-year-old Zits, a Native American teenager, runs away from his foster home, is arrested, and befriends a kid named Justice who persuades him to commit a bank shooting. After believing he is fatally shot, Zits experiences time travel, inhabiting different bodies, including an FBI agent in 1975, a young Plains Indian warrior in 1876, an Indian hunter, a pilot post-9/11, and his alcoholic father. Ultimately, Zits returns to the present, receives help from a supportive foster family, and begins a journey toward healing. Topics include gun violence, time travel, indigenous history, and abuse.

Challenging

Mysterious

Emotional

Dark

Hopeful

Reviews & Readership

4.2

18,902 ratings

70%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Sherman Alexie's Flight is praised for its compelling exploration of identity and redemption through the journey of a troubled Native American teen. Reviewers commend its powerful narrative and dark humor, though some criticize the book's abrupt shifts and uneven pacing. Overall, it offers a thought-provoking and intense read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Flight?

A reader who would enjoy Flight by Sherman Alexie is intrigued by coming-of-age stories with complex protagonists. They appreciate narratives exploring identity, social justice, and Native American experiences, and likely enjoyed The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian or Reservation Blues.

4.2

18,902 ratings

70%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Character List

Zits/Michael

A 15-year-old orphan with a difficult past, who has experienced a series of foster homes and a life filled with hardship and instability. He is known for his cystic acne and tough demeanor, navigating his life with a combination of humor and distrust.

A 17-year-old boy Zits meets in a juvenile detention center, known for his kindness and handsomeness. He introduces Zits to new philosophies and ideas.

A compassionate white police officer who acts as a mentor and father figure to Zits, understanding his struggles and attempting to help him find a stable home.

A 35-year-old FBI agent who Zits temporarily becomes during his time warp experience. He is admired by Zits for his appearance and confidence.

A voiceless indigenous boy, around 12 or 13 years old, whose body Zits inhabits during a journey through history, experiencing life in a family and facing moral dilemmas.

An elderly Indian hunter suffering from pain, who Zits becomes during another historical journey. He grapples with his conscience and the harsh realities of his duties.

A young soldier involved in an attack on a Native American tribe, who chooses courage and morality over orders. He attempts to save a young boy named Bow Boy.

A five-year-old Native American child who struggles to defend himself during an attack. His perseverance and the aid of Small Saint create a bond between them.

A conflicted pilot with a complicated personal life, whose body Zits experiences later in the story. He deals with guilt and loss against a backdrop of post-9/11 tensions.

A Native American man who abandoned Zits and his mother, leading a life of homelessness in Tacoma. His troubled past influences Zits' understanding of family and identity.

A couple who become Zits' foster parents at the suggestion of Officer Dave. They provide Zits with a structured, loving environment, marking a new chapter in his life.

Book Details
Pages

181

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Seattle, Washington • 2000s

Publication Year

2007

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16-18 years

Lexile Level

550L

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