Crossing Bok Chitto

Tingle, T., & Bridges, J. R. (2006). Crossing Bok Chitto. Cinco Puntos Press.

ISBN: 0-938317-77-6

Plot Summary:

There is a river called Bok Chitto that cuts through Mississippi. In the days before the War Between the States, in the days before the Trail of Tears, Bok Chitto was a boundary. On one side of the river lived the Choctaws. On the other side lived the plantation owners and their slaves. If a slave escaped and made his way across Bok Chitto, the slave was free.

Thus begins Crossing Bok Chitto, told by award-winning Choctaw storyteller Tim Tingle and brought to life with the rich illustrations of Jeanne Rorex Bridges.

Martha Tom, a young Choctaw girl, knows better than to cross Bok Chitto, but one day—in search of blackberries—she disobeys her mother and finds herself on the other side. A tall slave discovers Martha Tom. A friendship begins between Martha Tom and the slave’s family, most particularly his young son, Little Mo. Soon afterwards, Little Mo’s mother finds out that she is going to be sold. The situation seems hopeless, except that Martha Tom teaches Little Mo’s family how to walk on water to their freedom.

-Amazon

Analysis:

This beautifully illustrated book tells a story where Choctaw Indians intersect with the American slave trade in the old south. I was unaware of this juxtaposition before I read this story. Choctaw land was separated from plantation land by the Bok Chitto river. This Mississippi band of Choctaw helped runaway slaves make their way to freedom by giving them safe passage across the river. The writing follows two young friends, one on each side of the river. Their unlikely friendship is compelling and full of risk. The Choctaw and the Slaves are both living under oppression and yet they find ways to help and uplift one another. The illustrations are moving and bring emotion to every page. Black and brown skinned people look out from the pages with determination in their eyes and years of hardship strengthening their features. Traditional Choctaw celebrations and rituals ring out on one side of the river, and a forbidden slave church sings on the other. This is a beautiful story of humanity, acceptance, and friendship set against a backdrop of unimaginable pain and oppression. The ending is a spiritual leap, but one worth some reflection. It’s a beautiful story with many worthwhile lessons. 

Book Reviews:

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. The layout is well designed for groups as the images are large and easily seen from a distance. There is a note on modern Choctaw culture, and one on the development of this particular work. This is a lovely story, beautifully illustrated, though the ending requires a somewhat large leap of the imagination.

—School Library Journal

 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. 

 —Booklist

Connections:

This book is a rare look at American history that will spark discussions about slavery, and the plight of American Indians. 

Awards:

American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL): Lists of Best Books, 2010

American Indian Youth Literature Award, 2008

ALSC Notable Children's Books, 2007

Jane Addams Children's Book Awards, 2007

This review was created as an assignment for SHSU LSSL 5361.