Summary
How I Became a Ghost by Tim Tingle is a historical fiction story with a focus on the Trail of Tears and its effects on those who were forced to walk it. The story is told through the point of view of 10-year-old Isaac, a young Choctaw boy who has extraordinary abilities, including the ability to talk to ghosts and see how people are going to die. The plot follows Isaac as his family is uprooted and forced onto the Trail of Tears and he tries to do everything he can to keep his family and friends safe, all the while dealing with the knowledge that he will soon become a ghost. Along the way he has many encounters with other families, animals, ghosts, and even a boy who can turn into a panther. Choctaw language and folktales are interwoven with the story, adding an informative layer to an already interesting narrative. The story is full of twists and turns that will be sure to keep its reader on the edge of their seat.
Connor Keefe 2020