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pagesofpins's review against another edition
2.0
Typically Native Americans portrayed as ghosts in literature are not fantastic in their representation of the culture/history, so I was interested in this book that won an award from a Native organization and has a main character who is a ghost on the Trail of Tears. I actually think a lot of kids will love this book, because there is tons of magical realism, action, gore, and suspense. However, the writing is not great, and the characters have no real depth, so it gets 2.5-3 stars from me.
greenrain's review against another edition
4.0
Good introduction to the Trail of Tears for young readers. History has always been easier for me to understand when it is personalized like this. After reading this novel I want to learn more about Choctaw lore and customs, and I'm sure my younger self would have felt the same.
jesshart8's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Violence, Grief, Deportation, Xenophobia, Blood, and Racism
moss_1234's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
i_will_papercut_a_bish's review against another edition
5.0
Bluntly put, this is a book about grief that leaves you feeling all the bittersweet feels that accompany loss and memory. Written simplistically from a 10-year-old boy's perspective (but with emotionally compelling narrative about heavy concepts like loss, death, and grief), the story has a sort of timeless appeal that a wide age range could find gripping. The simplicity served to make the emotional impact more profound for me. (read: I ugly cried my way through several chapters)
Others mentioned worrying that it might be a heavy-handed historical narrative, but I disagree. The interesting story line holds its own, and then some. I recommend parents and teachers be ready to help children process what they're reading as they go; fluffy fare this is not. But it's an important read.
Others mentioned worrying that it might be a heavy-handed historical narrative, but I disagree. The interesting story line holds its own, and then some. I recommend parents and teachers be ready to help children process what they're reading as they go; fluffy fare this is not. But it's an important read.
rseykora's review against another edition
4.0
This middle school book on the Trail of Tears is a great introduction to the Choctaw heritage and experience.
carolyn227's review against another edition
4.0
5 stars for what I've learned about the Chocktaw and the information about the Trail of Tears. 4 stars for the adventure and story. 3 stars for the characters and dialogue. I am not sure what it is but Tingle's writing style is a little clunky to me, especially the dialogue parts. The story was alright, but a little scary for my 11 year old in parts, however we were able to have some good conversations about the Trail of Tears and the horros that indigenous people have faced in this country. I have learned a lot about Chocktaw, their culture, and even a few words thanks to the books I've read from this author.
kstep1805's review against another edition
4.0
This book was recommended to read if you’ve read Little House on the Prairie. And it is written to the same level as Little House, so it took me about an hour and a half to read. The book is tragic and probably more so for me as a mother than it would be to a middle grade student. The story is so sad but also fanciful enough to tell about the horrors of the Trail of Tears without horrifying young kids. This is a must read.