Crossing Bok Chitto

Author(s) Tim Tingle
Illustrator(s) Jeanne Rorex Bridges
Age Group 8 and up
Publisher Cinco Puntos Press
ISBN 978-0938317777
Year 2006

Martha Tom, a young Choctaw girl, knows better than to cross Bok Chitto, but one day—in search of blackberries—she disobeys her mother and finds herself on the other side. A tall slave discovers Martha Tom. A friendship begins between Martha Tom and the slave’s family, most particularly his young son, Little Mo. Soon afterwards, Little Mo’s mother finds out that she is going to be sold. The situation seems hopeless, except that Martha Tom teaches Little Mo’s family how to walk on water to their freedom.