Reviews

Stone River Crossing by Tim Tingle

jennybeastie's review

3.0

I really loved Crossing Bok Chitto, and I like the idea behind this -- but the voice is strange -- the first part is Bok Chitto in entirety, then the expansion, long story for something that reads like a picture book.

sassychortle's review

4.0

I was surprised to find that much of this book is in a magical/mystical realm. About 2/3 of the way through I was frustrated by this since I hadn't expected it but it ends so beautifully, I ended up really appreciating it. The author's note in the back about telling the stories of Native Americans culture was very moving. I hope that more of these stories are told. Highly recommended for older kids (it is a little intense at times).

mrs_mazzola_reads's review against another edition

3.0

I wanted to enjoy this book because I like the author's other work, but I found the text repetitive and not particularly engaging. And the supernatural aspect felt poorly integrated into the other part of the story. Lastly, his use of the phrase "field worker" to refer to enslaved people felt uncomfortable and tone-deaf. This is not a recommended read for me.

thisgrrlreads's review

4.0

Lil mo and his family are enslaved and about to be separated. But Lil Mo has made a friend, martha Tom, from across the river. She is Choctaw and knows the secrets of the river and manages to get his family out alive, and together. Thus begins Lil Mo's life with the Choctaw Nation, where he learns their ways. There are some episodes on the other side of the river, with Joseph, the slave guard's son who is also Lil Mo's best friend, but most of it follows Lil Mo as he figures out his new life.

There's a big chunk about a witch, and that leads to an adventure and some terror. The ending also adds some more terror, as the plantation owners and guards are none too happy to know the people they believe they own are living free on the other side of the river.

It's a really interesting story about Lil Mo learning about how the Choctaw live with a lot of Choctaw words. I loved that part, although sometimes the plot got weird, and the story after the witch owl portion was meandering. But I still liked Lil Mo and his friends and seeing something in a book that I have rarely had the opportunity to see.

dlmiddle's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

imperfectcj's review against another edition

adventurous funny informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This middle-grade novel tells about a time and a place I know little about. Here Tingle weaves a story about the interactions and tensions between the Choctaw people, enslaved people, and plantation owners in early-19th-century Mississippi. Although it's not expertly written and the plot takes a couple of bizarre turns, this novel is worth a read for the portrayal of the different cultures and for the conversations the story sparks.