Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship and Freedom

Written by Tim Tingle
Illustrated by Jeanne Rorex Bridges

Cinco Puntos Press, 2006

38 pages
 

Multi-Cultural Literature (Native American-Choctaw)

         This story is based around the Bok Chitto River, a river that formed as the boundary between Choctaws and the plantation owners with their slaves. This river provided freedom to slaves who could get across for their owners were not allowed to follow them. One day Martha Tom, a Choctaw girl, was picking blackberries for her mother. When she could not find any on the Choctaw side, she disobediently crossed the river. While on the other side she became lost and stumbled upon the forbidden slave church. Little Mo, a slave boy, helped Martha Tom find her way back to the river despite his fear of being caught and so began a beautiful friendship. One day Little Mo's father discovered his mother was to be sold. Little Mo convinced his father to allow their family to cross the river and escape to freedom. The manner in which the Choctaws help Little Mo's family cross the river is moving.

          This book was told, written, and illustrated by the Choctaw people. Tingle does a magnificent job of laying out this story. It portrays the life and struggles of the slaves and Choctaws immediately before the Trail of Tears. At a couple points in the story, it portrayed the slaves as invisible, subtly emphasizing the treatment of the slaves by the plantation owners. This is Bridges first book illustration and her pictures are captivating yet simple and maintain a solemn tone. Many of the individuals in the story look out into the eyes of the reader.  
          This book is a great accompaniment when reading about Choctaw Indians, slaves, and the everyday life prior to the War Between the States and the Trail of Tears. This story could be used when discussing friendships. It could also be used when discussing different peoples perspectives on a story and other individuals.