Alexie examines themes of despair, poverty, violence, and drunkenness in the lives of Native Americans, both on and off the reservation, in his poems, short stories, and novels. They are made more enjoyable by wit and humor. The media have given much attention to Alexie's own life story: he is an Indian who grew up in Seattle's Duwamish Reservation community and attended public schools there. He has written about his experiences as a Native American in literature for a general audience. His work is characterized by its use of language with Indian roots; some critics have labeled this style "Indian poetry." Although most of his books have been successful, some have not been well received by critics or readers. His novel Reservation Road is considered one of his best works. In addition to writing fiction, Alexie has worked with Native American students on and off the reservation to help them improve their writing skills. He has served as director of Indian Arts and Culture at the National Endowment for the Arts and has been involved in efforts to have Congress declare September as Native American Literature Month. Sherman Alexie was born on August 24, 1959 in Seattle, Washington. He is an enrolled member of the Suquamish Tribe.