Native American Lit: Crossing Bok Chitto

 

 Crossing Bok Chitto:

A Choctaw Tale of Friendship & Freedom

A Review by Amanda Kendall

 

Bibliography:

Tingle, Tim. 2006. Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw tale of friendship & freedom. Ill. by Jeanne Rorex Bridges. El Paso, Texas: Cinco Puntos Press. ISBN 0938317776

 

Plot Summary:

In the early nineteenth century, there was a river in Mississippi called Bok Chitto. The river separated the Choctaw Nation and American plantation owners and the enslaved people who lived there. The river acted as a border if an enslaved person made it across the river, they were considered free. 

 

Martha Tom, a young Choctaw girl, was sent by her mother to find blackberries. When she couldn't find any on the Choctaw's side of the river, she crossed. On the other side she found both blackberries and dozens of enslaved people attending the forbidden slave church. She was quickly discovered and escorted home by a young enslaved boy, Little Mo. Although they were from different sides of the river, the two became fast friends. When Little Mo's mother is sold from the plantation, he suggests to his family that they cross Bok Chitto to get to freedom. Desperate to save his family, Little Mo goes to Martha Tom for help. Martha organizes all the women in the village bring a candle to the river while dressed in white. Looking like angles, the Choctaw women distract the guards and bring Little Mo and his family safely across the river to freedom.

 
Critical Analysis:

 As a member of the Choctaw Nation, Tingle tells the story of Crossing Bok Chitto with honesty and authenticity. In his author's note he states that, "We Choctaw live by our stories" (Tingle 2006). This natural ability to tell a good story comes across on each page. There is a casual note to the narration that adds to the storytelling experience and makes the story accessible and engaging for all ages. 

  

Tingle's story is captivating from the beginning, explaining the significance of a single river and the power of crossing it. As the story unfolds, each character shows both fear and courage as they trust each other with their lives. The friendship developed between Little Mo and Martha Tom develops naturally, clearly showing respect for the other's culture. Tingle shows this mutual appreciation through the story. First when Little Mo visits the Choctaw side of the river and hears old men chanting. He says "it touched him deeply." And when Martha Tom starts attending church every Sunday to listen to the preacher and sing songs.

 

Bridges's illustrations aptly pair with the storytelling style of the text. The illustrations capture the  sweet yet somber mood of the story with muted colors and blurry backgrounds. Skin tones, clothing, and hairstyle and structure all reflect cultural and historical authenticity. In the image of Martha Tom and Little Mo crossing the hidden rocks in the river, the reader is drawn to the authentic Choctaw shoes while Little Mo is seen barefoot and in torn pants. The entirety of the story takes places outside and Bridges's illustrations are a beautiful blend of natural colors and hues. Finally, Bridges's captures the emotions of the characters fully with her expressive faces throughout the story. Many pages feature large full front portraits of characters, highlighting their emotions throughout the story. She elegantly captures the pain and sorrow of Little Mo and his family, as well as the determination and strength of the Choctaw women who come to the family's aid. 

Themes of family, empathy, friendship, and bravery ring true throughout the book. Tingle and Bridges have collaborated to create a tale that honors and celebrates the many different Native Nations that helped enslaved people find freedom (Tingle 2006). Cultural markers are embedded throughout the story and naturally incorporated into the illustrations. Tingle includes lyrics to Choctaw songs as they are still sung today, "Way, hey ya hey ya" (Tingle 2006) and includes a song from the forbidden slave church translated into Choctaw. All of these elements, plus the after notes at the end of the book provide the reader with the most authentic experience learning about the Choctaw in the past and today. Tingle's note links the past with the present, as the Choctaw Nation remains large, prosperous, and strong with a natural inclination to tell a good story (Tingle 2006).

Review Excerpts & Awards: 

BOOKLIST (April 15, 2006) "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...In her first paintings for a picture book, Bridges conveys the humanity and resilience of both peoples in forceful acrylics, frequently centering on dignified figures standing erect before moody landscapes."

 

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (July 1, 2006) "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."

• American Indian Youth Literature Award, 2008
• ALA Notable Children's Books, 2007
  
• Bluebonnet Award Nominee, 2008-2009

 Curricular Connections:

• Tim Tingle writes "modern business and traditional culture live comfortably side-by-side" when describing the life of the Mississippi Choctaw today. Research more on the Choctaw tribe to learn what traditions endure today.