How I Became a Ghost

 

Bibliography

Tingle, T. (2013). How I became a ghost: A Choctaw Trail of Tears story. RoadRunner Press.

ISBN

978-1937054557

Plot Summary

How I Became a Ghost by Tim Tingle is a historical fiction novel set during the Choctaw Trail of Tears. The story is told from the perspective of ten-year-old Isaac, a young Choctaw boy who has the unique ability to communicate with ghosts and see how people will die. As Isaac and his family are forced to leave their homeland and begin the difficult journey west, he does everything he can to protect the people he loves, even though he knows he will soon become a ghost himself. Along the way, readers are introduced to Choctaw traditions, language, folklore, and spiritual beliefs, which are naturally woven into the story. Although the novel explores a heartbreaking period in history, Tim Tingle balances the difficult events with humor, hope, and memorable characters, creating a story that is both emotional and engaging.

Critical Analysis

How I Became a Ghost provides an authentic portrayal of the Choctaw people during the Trail of Tears. Tim Tingle presents Native families as loving, resilient, and deeply connected to one another rather than relying on stereotypes. The story is told through the eyes of Isaac, a ten-year-old Choctaw boy whose humor, kindness, and curiosity make him an engaging narrator. The historical setting accurately reflects the forced removal of the Choctaw people while highlighting the importance of family, traditions, storytelling, and preserving Native culture. Tingle also incorporates Choctaw words and phrases throughout the novel, allowing readers to experience the language naturally as part of the story.

This was my favorite book of the three because of how creative Tim Tingle was in telling such an important piece of history. At first, I wasn't sure how a ghost would fit into the story, but by the end, I realized how meaningful that choice was. Even after Isaac dies, he continues telling his story, which I felt symbolized that the voices of those who experienced the Trail of Tears are still speaking to us today through their stories. Their stories continue to live on through future generations, reminding us of the hardships they endured while honoring their strength, resilience, and culture. Instead of ending with Isaac's death, Tingle shows that history does not end when someone's life does. Their experiences continue to teach us if we are willing to listen. I thought this was a powerful way to honor Native history and one that I will remember long after finishing the book.

Review Excerpts

• "As the 2014 AIYLA Middle School winning book, it will come as no surprise that {this book} receives a rousing endorsement ... deserves a place in any collection that serves audiences interest in either American Indians or great stories." -- George Gottschalk "American Indian Library Association"

• "The beginning of a trilogy, this tale is valuable for both its recounting of a historical tragedy and its immersive Choctaw perspective." -- Vicky Smith "Kirkus Reviews"

• "Throughout, this story shines with the warmth that Tingle's storytelling voice brings to his writing. I highly recommend How I Became A Ghost. I have it on good authority that we'll hear more from Isaac. I look forward to it." -- Debbie Reese "American Indians in Children's Literature"

• "Tingle, a Choctaw storyteller, relates his tale in the engaging repetitions and rhythms of an oft-told story. ... The novel comes alive in Isaac's voice and in the rich alliance of the living and the dead." -- Dean Schneider "The Horn Book Magazine"

Awards and Recognitions

• American Indian Youth Literature Award,2014

• American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL): Lists of Best Books, 2013

• CCBC Choices 2014

• Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books, 2013

• Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2014

• We Are Kid Lit Collective Summer Reading Lists, 2015

Connections

• Research the Trail of Tears from the perspectives of different Native Nations.

• Compare How I Became a Ghost with Stealing Little Moon and discuss how government policies affected Native communities across different time periods.

• Create a family storytelling project where students interview a family member and write about a story or tradition that has been passed down through generations.

• Locate the Choctaw Nation's original homeland and removal route on a map.

• Discuss how storytelling helps preserve culture, traditions, and history.