Saltypie: A Choctaw Journey from Darkness Into Light

Saltypie is a deeply moving picture-book memoir by Choctaw storyteller Tim Tingle, told through the eyes of a young boy who discovers the painful history of his grandmother — from her orphan days at an Indian boarding school to the racism and hardships the family faced after moving from Oklahoma to the Gulf Coast of Texas. But through all the struggles, his grandmother kept her quiet, funny laugh and the love that held the whole family together.

This book is a powerful choice for students because it offers a rare window into the modern Choctaw experience, honoring Indigenous resilience and family love, and is an important complement to social studies lessons on Native American history and the lasting impact of assimilation policies on Indigenous families.

Publishing Details

Author : Tim Tingle

Illustrator : Karen Clarkson

Author Nationality : United States

Physical Details

Type of Book: Picture Book

Cover: Softcover

Pages: 40

Size: 11.0 x 8.7 inches

Year Published: 2022

Instructional Details

Reading Grade Level: 3rd Grade

Genre: Non-Fiction

Sub-Genre: Autobiography

Theme: Native Americans, Indigenous People, Family, Social Issues