The Choctaw code,

by Russell G. Davis

The Choctaw Code by Brent Ashabranner and Russell G. Davis is historical fiction set in the Choctaw Nation in the 1890s. The Baxter family is newly arrived in Indian territory where Tom’s father will be the new railroad station master in Atoka, and Tom will help his mother to set up housekeeping. Tom befriends Jim Moshulatubee, a quiet Choctaw Indian who teaches him how to hunt and fish and respect that land that they explore together. More important than forest survival skills, however, Tom begins to learn life lessons from Jim about the heavy consequences of a man’s actions. Jim acknowledges his own crime without excuse, he lives honorably in the time that remains for him, and he squarely faces the penalty required by the Choctaw Code. The Choctaw Code was the 1995 recipient of the Oklahoma Book Award in the children/young adult category for fiction with an Oklahoma-based theme.

152 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1994

Reviews

[LeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's written for middle schoolers, & I wasn't expecting to be so affected by the ending.

[KylinB · Rating 3 out of 5]

I currently read The Choctaw Code by Russel G Davis This book is in the time era of the 1800 in the Choctaw nation Indian Territory. The main two characters In this book is Tom Baxter and Jim Moshulatubbee. I found this book by going in the library and wanting a historical book. And this book is what I found.

This book is a really suspenseful fully book because one of the main characters Jim Moshulatubbee is getting hanged for killing a man. So all troughs the story you always get that that is he going to run. Be he is a real Choctaw and he really Choctaw never runs he said. And Tom Baxter the other main charter is always telling Jim to run because Tom believe that Jim souldnt have to pay for his crime. Later on In the story Tom becomes really close to jim. So Tom and Jim set out to go to the Choctaw convention and Tom decide to speak his word about jim. To the head of the Choctaw people but Jim never let Tom out of his sights.

This book ended very emotional. Because Tom had grown so close to Jim and Jim had grown so close to Tom. The where almost like brothers their bound was strong.so when Tom lost Jim I gave the reader a different feeling. I honestly made me appreciate people more than I do because you never know when your going to lose them my favorite part in the book is when Tom and Jim caught 2 fugitives cause trouble.

My opinion on the book is that this book is honestly amazing but I not the best book I ever read. This book has humor and emotional twisters this book a parts will have you on the edge of your seats. This book reminds me of a book I read called Harris and me because Harris and me was about 2 boys that had a really strong bond. Like Jim and Tom did and the boy in Harris and me had to leave and go back to his home in the city. Which left the other boy really sad like Tom. I would recommend this book to people that like old Indian culture and how like emotional books.

[Lauren Hardwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars: A book about a much different time than we live in today, this historical fiction takes place in land of the Choctaw Nation amidst the conflict between Progressives and Standpatters.
I adored the friendship built between Tom and Jim and enjoyed learning more about Choctaw traditions and way of life through Tom’s experiences and conversations throughout the book.
This book has a great story and emotionally suspenseful plot. This is a book written in the 1960s and the older form of writing, with a few choppy transitions, just isn’t my favorite style of writing and leaves me wishing for more detail at times. (The only aspect of this book causing me to hesitate with a full 5 star rating.)

[Renee' LaViness · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an excellent read! I loved the friendship that was built within the pages and really enjoyed the story line. I was very pleased.