Stone River Crossing

This expands on the author's picture book "Crossing Bok Chitto." When Lil Mo’s family learn that their mother Treda will be sold to another slave owner, they escape together to the Choctaw side of the Bok Chitto river. They are welcomed by the Choctaws and begin a life of freedom, learning the ways of the Choctaw. Lil Mo makes friends with Funi Man, Kai Losa, and Martha Tom. He also secretly keeps in touch with his best friend, a white boy who is the son of one of the plantation guards. Lil Mo’s life is in danger when the owl witch comes in contact with him, and Funi Man and Kai Losa set out to hunt down the owl witch and save Lil Mo’s life. Warm portrayal of a welcoming community. Bit of history for readers, that Native Americans show more were also slaves. Magical realism and Indian storytelling woven into the narrative. Nice intergenerational friendship between Funi Man and Kai Losa and Lil Mo. show less

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.

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.