📖 Overview
Tim Tingle is an Oklahoma Choctaw author and storyteller who specializes in Native American literature, particularly works that preserve and share Choctaw history and culture. His writing spans multiple genres including children's literature, young adult fiction, and collections of Native American stories.
As an oral historian, Tingle has collected and documented stories from Choctaw tribal elders, incorporating these authentic voices and experiences into his literary works. His most well-known books include "Walking the Choctaw Road," "Crossing Bok Chitto," and "How I Became a Ghost," which have received multiple awards and recognition in the field of children's literature.
Tingle's work frequently addresses historical events like the Trail of Tears and themes of cultural preservation, family bonds, and tribal identity. His books are used in many schools and libraries as resources for teaching Native American history and contemporary Indigenous perspectives.
Having earned degrees from the University of Oklahoma and Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Tingle regularly appears at storytelling festivals and educational events across the United States. He has served as a featured author at the National Storytelling Festival and has presented at the Library of Congress.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently commend Tingle's authentic representation of Choctaw culture and history. Multiple reviewers note his ability to make complex historical topics accessible to young readers without oversimplification.
What readers liked:
- Clear, engaging storytelling style
- Integration of Choctaw language and traditions
- Balance of serious themes with hopeful messages
- Educational value for classroom use
- Authentic Native American perspective
What readers disliked:
- Some found pacing slow in certain books
- A few mentioned difficulty following multiple character perspectives
- Occasional complaints about supernatural elements in historical narratives
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- "How I Became a Ghost": 4.1/5 (2,000+ ratings)
- "Crossing Bok Chitto": 4.2/5 (1,500+ ratings)
- "Walking the Choctaw Road": 4.3/5 (500+ ratings)
Amazon averages 4.5+ stars across titles, with reviewers frequently highlighting the books' educational impact. One teacher wrote: "Tingle's work opened meaningful discussions about Native American history in my classroom."
📚 Books by Tim Tingle
Walking the Choctaw Road - A collection of stories that blend traditional Choctaw folklore with historical accounts of Choctaw experiences.
Crossing Bok Chitto - A story about the friendship between a Choctaw girl and an enslaved boy in Mississippi during the 1800s.
How I Became A Ghost - A young Choctaw boy's first-person narrative about the Trail of Tears, incorporating supernatural elements and tribal spirits.
House of Purple Cedar - A historical novel set in 1896 Oklahoma that follows a Choctaw girl and her community in the aftermath of a racially motivated school burning.
When Turtle Grew Feathers - A Choctaw retelling of the classic race between the turtle and the rabbit.
Danny Blackgoat, Navajo Prisoner - The story of a Navajo youth who is forced to march to Fort Sumner during the Long Walk of the Navajo in 1864.
No Name - A contemporary story about a young Choctaw boy dealing with school bullying and discovering his heritage.
Stone River Crossing - A historical novel about the relationship between Choctaw and enslaved people in Mississippi during the 1800s.
Danny Blackgoat: Rugged Road to Freedom - The second book in the series following Danny Blackgoat's escape attempts from imprisonment.
Danny Blackgoat: Dark Path to Freedom - The final installment in the Danny Blackgoat trilogy about a Navajo youth's journey during the Long Walk.
Crossing Bok Chitto - A story about the friendship between a Choctaw girl and an enslaved boy in Mississippi during the 1800s.
How I Became A Ghost - A young Choctaw boy's first-person narrative about the Trail of Tears, incorporating supernatural elements and tribal spirits.
House of Purple Cedar - A historical novel set in 1896 Oklahoma that follows a Choctaw girl and her community in the aftermath of a racially motivated school burning.
When Turtle Grew Feathers - A Choctaw retelling of the classic race between the turtle and the rabbit.
Danny Blackgoat, Navajo Prisoner - The story of a Navajo youth who is forced to march to Fort Sumner during the Long Walk of the Navajo in 1864.
No Name - A contemporary story about a young Choctaw boy dealing with school bullying and discovering his heritage.
Stone River Crossing - A historical novel about the relationship between Choctaw and enslaved people in Mississippi during the 1800s.
Danny Blackgoat: Rugged Road to Freedom - The second book in the series following Danny Blackgoat's escape attempts from imprisonment.
Danny Blackgoat: Dark Path to Freedom - The final installment in the Danny Blackgoat trilogy about a Navajo youth's journey during the Long Walk.
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