This historical fiction story is set in late 1800's Indian Territory. While the story bounces around a bit, it is centered on Rose Goode and her family's experiences during the turmoil following her grandfather being hit with a board by an ill-tempered Sheriff. The family and community bonds within the Choctaw community of Skullyville through fear, loss, and walking paths that are true to self hold the story together and paint a beautifully emotional story.

Loved this book! In 1967, we meet Rose, a Choctaw woman who recounts the story of a terrible time in the late 1800's in Skullyville, Oklahoma. A horrible incident of racial hatred takes place and as the story unfolds we see how different people in both the Choctaw and White communities respond. Throughout we meet wonderful characters and quickly fall in love (with a few exceptions) with them. The writer has the gift of being able to describe a character fully in just a few immaculate phrases. This story requires the reader to allow for the belief in a bit of magical mysticism, read some scriptures and allow for the characters to question their beliefs. It is all done with warm, respectful care.

The book is beautifully written and I would recommended it for readers 12 and up. It is adult fiction, but there is nothing a YA reader could not handle, and the subject matter is quite relevant in this age of bullying. There are scenes of heart warming strong family ties, loyal friendships, community support, forgiveness, and redemption. For every act of evil there is one of love and support, and in this book, vengeance is never the answer.

This book was 15 years in the writing. the author, Tim Tingle's story as an author is pretty interesting in it's own right. I can't wait to read more of his work! ( )

We chose this book to read for our newly formed book club and it has been a delightful read. The essense of the book is forgiveness. Forgiveness slays the serpent within us. For the Choctaw families who suffered under the hands of Robert Hardwicke, they were led to forgive the perpetrator by Pokoni the grandmother. She appears to them after her death in the form of a panther who takes them to safety. Pokoni teaches the family that "It is not for us to judge" no matter the harm. That is for the Lord to do. The Choctaw family survives and the perpetrator, Hardwicke, meets his destiny.
A great, easy to read and interesting book.
Helen Davison ( )

The author makes the narrator of this novel a woman who recounts her life as a child in 1896, living in a Choctaw community in Oklahoma. Rose survives a fire that kills many at the New Hope Academy for Girls; she lives with, and is devoted to, her grandparents, Amafo and Pokoni, respected elders of the tribe. The author uses this novel to tell some of the history of this tribe, their struggles with some of the white community, even as they are defended, befriended, and respected by others. He also incorporates their deep Christian faith, as it incorporates their own Native spiritualism.
This was a 4.5 read for me. ( )

RGG: The mood, magical realism, and voice are representative of Choctaw native story telling. The plot is simple, but the development and relationships of the characters are complex. A fine story. The time jumping makes the story a bit of a difficult read. Reading Interest: 14-YA.