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elsanore's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
posies23's review against another edition
4.0
This short novel is the first in a proposed trilogy chronicling the 1830 journey of the Choctaw in the Trail of Tears. The story is told by Isaac, a young Choctaw who can see ghosts, and is told that he will soon become one. The book is told in Isaac's world, and through his point of view, so it uses simple language and stark imagery to tell the story of his family and tribe as they are removed from their homeland and begin the long process of their relocation. Along the way, the reader comes to see the harsh realities of their life, and the brutalities forced on them by some, but not all, of the soldiers that accompany them. There are supernatural elements scattered throughout, which add to the engaging nature of the story, and some surprisingly humorous moments. All of this add up to a powerful first part of a story that I hope will continue to build, engage, and educate.
My one quibble is that a few of the historical elements aren't spelled out very clearly in the text. It's nothing that a cursory internet search wouldn't clear up for most people, or some scaffolded class notes for students reading the book, but a few pieces (and especially the ending) seemed a bit oblique from my perspective. (Which is, of course, a 43-year-old male, midwestern middle school English teacher. So . . . take that for what it's worth.)
My one quibble is that a few of the historical elements aren't spelled out very clearly in the text. It's nothing that a cursory internet search wouldn't clear up for most people, or some scaffolded class notes for students reading the book, but a few pieces (and especially the ending) seemed a bit oblique from my perspective. (Which is, of course, a 43-year-old male, midwestern middle school English teacher. So . . . take that for what it's worth.)
bickie's review against another edition
Own voices story about Choctaw people on a forced march in 1830, part of the Trail of Tears displacement. Despite a few perplexing plot points, this is a good introduction to the atrocities committed by white people and the human costs and resiliency of the displaced indigenous people during this shameful part of US history.
Spoiler
(such as how quickly the Leader seems to forgive Naomi and Joseph, the drive to rescue Naomi without a reasonable plan to hide her for the entire journey, why Isaac is unique in seeing ghosts until he is a ghost, and then everyone seems to be able to see them...)tyson_and_rainbow's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
diana_reads_and_reads's review against another edition
2.5
Read aloud with Elizabeth. I wish I liked this more because I think it’s important history to know about. Something about the tone and choices make it feel a little silly, which is not something I’m looking for in this type of book. I was making a lot of guesses about Choctaw culture and beliefs, and I wish there had been explanation of that somewhere. I have no idea why sometimes the dog was barking and sometimes it was speaking English, and could find no explanation of that online anywhere. The way the ghosts worked was inconsistent, and the overabundance of attribution tags was distracting.
Also, the end was wildly unbelievable.
Also, the end was wildly unbelievable.
theoskayyy's review against another edition
Ignore my reading activity, I accidentally added this to my reading challenge even though my teacher read it aloud to the class. Changing the year so it won't count.
jwinchell's review against another edition
3.0
Super accessible with short sentences, paragraphs, chapters, and an overall speedy read (480 L). Chock full of information about the Choctaw people and the Trail of Tears, Isaac's perspective of becoming a ghost is compelling and heartbreaking. Not particularly beautiful writing, this still stands as a solid option for middle grade readers wanting to know more about the dark side of American history. I like this ghost storytelling trope (like Paranormal-lite)--kind of like If I Stay, The Lovely Bones, Thirteen Reasons Why but altogether a throughly historical fiction angle. This is a 2017 Caudill nominee.
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
If this book had not been nominated for a Cybils award, I probably never would have read it. It wouldn't have been on my radar. That would have been so sad, because it is an excellent book in every way. Tingle tells the tale of one young Choctow boy on The Trail of Tears and how he died. Despite the subject matter it is a hopeful story. I liked how so much historical fact and detail was included as well as details about the Choctow people. The story is fast paced with quite a lot of adventure. The harsh realities of the Trail of Tears are not glossed over, but they are not gruesomely described either. I'm so happy to have discovered this before my daughter studies this time period in history. This will certainly be a book I have her read.
kamckim's review against another edition
4.0
Very quick read, perfect for G5-6. Solid story introducing readers to the Trail of Tears era, the book covers fires, smallpox, shootings, and other atrocities of that journey for the Choctaw Nation. The story is told by a narrator after he has passed. There is heroism, sacrifice, and ultimately, hope.