When a Ghost Talks, Listen

How I Became a Ghost #2

by Tim Tingle

Ten-year-old Isaac, now a ghost, continues with his people as they walk the Choctaw Trail of Tears headed to Indian Territory in what will one day become Oklahoma. There have been surprises aplenty on their trek, but now Isaac and his three Choctaw comrades learn they can time travel--making for an unexpected adventure. The foursome heads back in time to Washington, D.C., to bear witness for Choctaw Chief Pushmataha who has come to the nation's capital at the invitation of his dear friend Andrew Jackson. You cannot blame the people before you for mistakes their ancestors made, Chief Pushmataha tells the little band. In doing so, the general makes a powerful and timeless lesson, one made more so as the reader travels from graveyards to boarding schools, from 1824 to 2018, experiencing firsthand the joy of never leaving.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Indigenous, Ghosts, Fiction, Historical

188 pages, Paperback

Published May 21, 2019

About the author

Tim Tingle, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, is a popular presenter at storytelling and folklore festivals across America. He was featured at the 2002 National Storytelling Festival. In 2004, he was a Teller-In-Residence at The International Storytelling Center, Jonesborough, Tennessee. Choctaw Chief Gregory Pyle has requested a story by Tingle previous to his Annual State of the Nation Address at the Choctaw Labor Day Gathering--a celebration that attracts over thirty thousand people-- from 2002 to the present.

Reviews

[Serah J Blain · Rating 2 out of 5]

This #OwnVoices middle-readers sequel to the excellent "How I Became A Ghost" fell far short of the first book. I was so disappointed! The first book follows the story of Isaac, a Choctaw boy who dies on the trail of tears. It is moving, creative, insightful, and the story remains compelling throughout.

Book 2, which continues the story with Isaac as a time travelling ghost who witnesses several of Andrew Jackson's past misdeeds, frankly just felt forced. The author was trying to teach a lesson about historical events and Choctaw culture, and just wasn't able to do it in a way that felt organic. The characters became one-dimensional mouth-pieces for Tingle's history lesson rather than the dynamic, sympathetic characters of the previous novel. I will say that my 12 year old son enjoyed this much more than I did and is looking forward to the next one. I, on the other hand, am rather dreading it.

[Shannon (That's So Poe) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sequel even more than the first book in the series. This book delves into the history and backstory that led to the Trail of Tears, looking at some of the politics and betrayals by the U.S. government of the Choctaw people. It was less violent than the first book and included even more humor, ghosts, and magic. I enjoyed the history, the characters, and the adventure in this quite a lot and am looking forward to the third book in the series whenever it comes out!

[Jenelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has created a way to engage students in unknown or history that is often not taught in our schools. Through Isaac, we learn of the then Senator Andrew Jackson, his betrayal to the Choctaw nation and systemic removal and murder of their people. The idea to create curiosity in students to research Chief (General) Pushmataha and Chief Puckshenubbe as well as The Trail of Tears.

4 stars - Some of the dialog and plot seems forced - making the story sometimes hard to connect/engage with certain parts and characters. I think younger students would not notice it as much.

[Griffin Condon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a bit over dramatic on some things but it was super good

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one didn't grab me like the last one.

It felt a little convoluted and agenda heavy. More details on what I mean require *spoilers*


The time travel was just weird. It felt arbitrary and a little unnecessary. And the Andrew Jackson bits... while I'm glad to see some different (and more honest) portals of the man... this felt heavy handed and just... very agenda filled. The first book did a masterful job at showing what the Trails of Tears really meant, the horrible things that were done to native populations, etc.. But it never felt like the agenda came before the story. This second book however... Not the case; it honestly felt like the story was created to try and fit the agenda/point/moral.

[jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than the first in the series. More historical references and insights into the role general/senator/president Jackson played in the crimes against native americans. more ghosts, more tears. yes, a work of fiction. probably more gentle than the reality of the times.

young adult required reading. good replacement for Huck Finn.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent sequel to How I Became A Ghost. This book will make you laugh, cry and cheer. Awesome #ownvoices novel by Choctaw author Tim Tingle

[Karen Poremski · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this sequel to How I Became a Ghost, we learn more about the Choctaw Trail of Tears, and about the history of one of the Choctaw nation's greatest leaders, Chief Pushmataha, all through the voice of Isaac, who is now helping his family and his people though he has passed into the spirit world. As in the previous book, there is violence and grief here, but the writer addresses these things in a way that's appropriate for young readers. My students and friends have often asked about how to tell kids* about the history of Native people in the U.S., given that history's violence and injustice; this book does a great job of telling one small part of that history.

Highly recommended for elementary-aged children and adults.

* We should note that Native children are more likely to know this history already, and that non-Native children are being protected in the name of preserving their childhood/innocence; Native children don't have that privilege.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few days on the Trail of Tears, as told by a young ghost who is being instructed in the history of his Choctaw Nation. His peers include a boy who can turn into a panther, several living family members, his dog, and assorted other ghosts. He gets to see pieces of the past -- Andrew Jackson's betrayal of his Indian friends, atrocities committed by American soldiers, and occasionally hints of the future. It's a great look at the past, but not a strong story on its own (I think most of the characters are introduced in the first book, which I haven't read).

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really becoming a strong fan of Tim Tingle. I read the first book in the series so I ordered more and more books of his. I finally came across this book to finish the series.

I've also become a fan of Jumper. Normally I'm a cat person, but Jumper is quite a character.

I'm also becoming more interested in exploring Oklahoma, a not-far-away state, because I want to see more of the setting of some of his books.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid follow up to How I Became a Ghost. The time travel aspect took me a little while to get used to but I really appreciate that there is a book out there showing the indigenous peoples' experience in relation to the expanse of the United States -- and how culpable the government was beyond just the actions of the army. I like that the final chapter connects this story to modern day and leaves it open for further stories.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like this one as much as I liked the first in the series; I felt in this one the characters lost some of their depth and became one-dimensional. Also, I feel like sometimes the dialogue got confusing (since there were ghost and alive versions of the same character) and tiny plot holes that could have been solved easily (as this has a fantasy element to it, the rules of the physical world do not apply). Overall, I do look forward to the next one but I hope it has more depth.

[Emma Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a continuation of "How I Became a Ghost" and I really enjoyed it. The story basically picks up right where the other book left off and it dives deeper into the history of the Choctaw Indians. I think that this book series would be a really good one to introduce in a history lesson with older students.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Artful, imagininative, and compelling.
The ending was deserving of a Choctaw belly laugh.

You should definitely read this together with Tim Tingle's "Walking the Choctaw Road" and "How I Became a Ghost," the first book in the series.

I also recommend the excellent "Dreamwalkers" by Leslie Rush as a companion read for those that related to the dream world motif.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent sequel to How I became A Ghost. This is historical fiction at its very best. I really felt like I was there. I learned so much about the Choctaw people, and it sends me off with places to learn more. I hope book 3 comes quickly.

[Melissa Dunbar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the second in Tingle's wonderful series. I loved it!! I am so proud of Tingle for sharing his knowledge and carrying forward the stories of our ancestors. My students LOVE these books and we are READY for the next one!!!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the time travel to be a bit scattered, but all-in-all I enjoyed this book. Tingle engages with his readers through likable characters and he imparts wisdom and laughter as you travel in the worlds he beings to life on the page.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the 3 books I've recently read by this author, this was the best. The writing was better, the plot was better, and the last chapters (which discuss the events of the Trail of Tears from a modern perspective...what is true and what isn't?) were a nice addition for readers.

[Tarawyn Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounded up from 4.5 stars. I concur with the characters that the end is weird, but it works. This book has certainly inspired me to want to read a biography of Pushmataha, and fortunately my library has one.

[Maggie Haberman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book from the “How I became a ghost” series. The complaints I had with this were so minor. I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for children to get to explore and interrogate history.

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved How I Became a Ghost. I found this sequel very confusing -- time travel, much choctaw culture, but the narrative is a stretch. Also, requires reading the first book to know the characters.

[Hannah Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I feel like this book would make more sense if I had realized it was a sequel. I’m glad I picked it for my students but the ending was strange and felt out of sync with the story. Would read more in this series though!

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty disappointed. I read this to be able to recommend it to my 8th graders. I'll go ahead and tell them to read it, but as an adult readers it's a total waste of time.

[Desirae Barnes]

I finished this book awhile ago I just haven't had time to update my progress so yeah :)

[Kirsten Tautfest · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't realize that this was a sequel when I reserved the book from my local library. Now I'll have to read the first one. Highly recommend.

[Ricardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

aswome bbok

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthy sequel to How I Became A Ghost. Heartbreaking yet hopeful. A real page turner. I loved how Isaac was figuring out how to be a ghost. And yeah, the ending was weird.

[Ilyas A · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is amazing, interesting story. recommend

[Emily Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good, but the ending didn't seem to fit the plot.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Riot Read Harder Challenge 2024 Task #10: Read a historical fiction book by an Indigenous author.