Tingle, Tim. 2006. CROSSING BOK CHITTO A CHOCTAW TALE OF FRIENDSHIP & FREEDOM. Ill. by Jeanne Rorex Bridges. Hong Kong: Cinco Puntos Press. ISBN 9780938317777
2. Plot Summary
In Mississippi there is a river named Bok Chitto. On one side of the bank resides the Choctaws and on the other side is the plantation owners and their slaves. If a slave crossed the river to the other side the plantation owners were not allowed to follow them. They were free. One day Martha Tom a Choctaw crosses the river to the other side to collect blackberries. Underneath the water of the river was a path of stones that only the Choctaw knew existed and used it to cross the river. She watches the slaves have church and is introduced to Little Mo. He took her back to the river and Martha showed him the secret path of stones under the water. The young girl and boy become fast friends. The owner of the plantation decides to sell some of his slaves. "The men from the slave households were called together to listen to the names being read. Little Mo's mother was on the list" (23). The family is devastated they decide to runaway. "Daddy there is a way we can stay together. We can go crossing Bok Chitto. Martha Tom told me how" (26). Little Mo asks Martha's Mom to help his family cross the river and escape from slavery.
3. Critical Analysis
The setting of the story takes place in Mississippi near the Bok Chitto River before the Civil War. The characters in the story are a family of African American slaves, the plantation owner, and the Choctaw Native Americans. The theme of the story is the importance of friendship no matter what culture a person is. The specific cultures are clearly identified in the text. The author states what type of cultures the characters are from by stating them to the reader. For example, "A skinny black man with a cane stepped out of the trees" (4). He mentions the Choctaw, slaves, and plantations owners to the reader. It is crystal clear what culture they represent in the story. There are no specific language patterns in the text. The dialect is basic to the American language. The only dialect of the Choctaw Native Americans is a song during a ceremony. The celebrations and religious practices are briefly mentioned in the story for the slaves and the Choctaw people.
The illustrations in the book clearly show the skin tones, facial features, and clothing of the different cultures in the story. The Choctaw have tan skin and dark hair. They wear moccasins and clothes that are the appropriate dress for the time period the story takes place. The slaves have dark skin and wear pants, shirts and dresses to be adequate with the time period. The Choctaw have smooth long dark hair and the slaves have black curly hair that fits their culture. The pictures are beautiful and realistic to give the reader a glimpse into the past.
The author and illustrator of this story clearly show each culture. The story and images are very realistic. This is a wonderful story that shows the emotions of the characters and the importance of freedom and the unity of all cultures.
4. Review Excerpts
BOOKLIST remarks, "*Starred Review* Gr. 2-4. In a picture book that highlights rarely discussed intersections between Native Americans in the South and African Americans in bondage, a noted Choctaw storyteller and Cherokee artist join forces with stirring results."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL," Tingle is a performing storyteller, and his text has the rhythm and grace of that oral tradition. It will be easily and effectively read aloud. The paintings are dark and solemn, and the artist has done a wonderful job of depicting all of the characters as individuals, with many of them looking out of the page right at readers."
American Indian Youth Literature Award Winner
5. Connections
This would be an excellent story to read to children that are learning about slavery and Native Americans. It shows a great example of friendship between two different cultures.
Other Choctaw stories by Tim Tingle:
Tingle, Tim. SALTYPIE: A CHOCTAW JOURNEY FROM DARKNESS INTO LIGHT. ISBN 1933693673
Tingle, Tim. WALKING THE CHOCTAW ROAD: STORIES FROM RED PEOPLES MEMORY. ISBN 0938317733
Tingle, Tim. WHEN TURTLE GREW FEATHERS: A TALE FROM THE CHOCTAW NATION. ISBN 0874837774
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