How I Became a Ghost by Tim Tingle: History Meets Ghost Story

Do you love ghost stories? History meets ghost story in How I Became a Ghost.

How I Became a Ghost by Tim Tingle is the first book in a trilogy. The story is narrated by a ten year old Choctaw boy named Isaac. How I Became a Ghost takes place on The Trail of Tears, at a time when  Native Americans were forced to leave their homes in Mississippi and relocate to land now called Arkansas and Oklahoma. Tingle, a Choctaw native, captivates readers with an engaging story which depicts resiliency, identity, and interweaves the supernatural, which is a part of Choctaw culture.

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Synopsis: Isaac lives with his family on the edge of a swamp in Mississippi.  On the first page, Isaac tells readers that he will become a ghost, and that he can see the future.  Isaac forewarns readers that knowing what the future holds may not be all that they would think it is.  For example, in one of Isaac's premonitions, he witnesses an elderly Choctaw couple engulfed in flames. Shortly thereafter, tragedy unfolds as the same couple succumbs to death when covert soldiers infiltrate the neighborhood, setting ablaze everyone's homes in the night.  The book is often grizzly, but the stories are very well told, and would keep readers engaged despite the heaviness of the scenes depicted. 

Conclusion: Tingle does an outstanding job of weaving Choctaw history and culture into the story.  By depicting Isaac as a ghost in the story who is still able to help the living Tingle demonstrates to readers the supernatural beliefs of the Choctaw.  Tingle is able to invoke powerful images into the minds of his readers with his powerful use of language.  Tingle's vivid descriptions transport readers to the Choctaw Nation, and enables them to experience the hardships and triumphs of Isaac's journey. The author's meticulous research and attention to historical accuracy add depth to the narrative, making it both educational and emotionally resonant.

My Takeaways: This novel offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on a pivotal moment in American history, but does contain a lot of difficult content that could be difficult for some young readers. 

To learn more about How I Became a Ghost go to How I Became a Ghost/Goodreads. 

Word Count:  341

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