Chula the Fox

by Anthony Perry

Chula the Fox is a middle grade historical novel, steeped in Chickasaw language and culture and set in the Chickasaw Homeland, near present-day Mississippi. It tells an honest and often frank story about Chickasaw lives and the challenges our Native American ancestors faced during the early eighteenth century. Chula, a Chickasaw boy, is suddenly thrown into the murky and treacherous worlds of warfare and adulthood after a traumatic ambush costs him his father.

Left haunted by a restless spirit, Chula concludes, in line with the customs of his time, that only vengeance will make things right again. With the help of his Uncle Lheotubby, and armed with a brand-new musket, Chula hones his skills to become one of the revered Chickasaw warriors. He vows to join a raid against the enemy, regardless of his youth, to avenge his father and put his spirit at peace. But Chula, his heart full of questions, finds that the greatest war rages within himself. It seems he is foiled at every turn by his nemesis, Nukni, and inwardly he is ambushed by self-doubt.

Is Chula destined for the path of the warrior, or will a different future await him?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Adventure, Fiction, Grief

160 pages, Hardcover

Published October 4, 2018

About the author

Anthony Perry grew up in Oklahoma and now lives in England with his wife and young children. He works as an analyst in the National Health Service in England and volunteers with hospitals in Pakistan to improve health services. He loves history and enjoys spending time with his family and traveling.

Perry has an undergraduate degree in comparative religion from Dartmouth College, a master's degree in public health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and a master's degree in public policy from Birkbeck College, University of London.

Reviews

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes life just doesn't give us what we think we want most in the world, but leads us down a totally unexpected path. Chula, a Chickasaw teen on the verge of manhood, is sure he wants to be a brave warrior just like his father, his uncle and his now deceased older brother. But Chula is small for his age and feels like he needs to prove himself more then most of the boys his age, especially Nukni, his nemesis who repeatedly goes after him both physically and verbally, never letting him forget his smaller size.

One day, while out hunting with his father, his uncle and other members of his tribe, Chula brings down his first deer. His pride at this achievement is short lived when the hunting party is attacked by a group of Choctaw warriors. Chula's father is badly wounded by a shot in the shoulder, and Nukni's uncle is killed, a devastating loss for him.

Sadly, when they return home, the wound in Chula's father's shoulder proves to be fatal for the strong warrior and Chula experiences his own devastating loss. Now, both Chula and Nukni want revenge for their losses, so that the spirits of their deceased loved ones can find peace. In fact, the whole tribe wants revenge, and it is decided that Chickasaw would attack the Choctaw right after the Green Corn Ceremony, the harvest, and also a time of forgiveness and purification. In the meantime, the young boys, including Chula, would be prepared to become warriors so that they can participate in the attack.

But does Chula have what it takes to be a warrior, or will he find himself a leader of his people in an entirely different capacity?

I loved reading The Birchbark House series. It offers readers a wonderful story and insight into the 19th century life of the Ojibwe people in what is now Minnesota. Young readers who read this series will certainly want to read Chula the Fox. Chula's story is set in the early part of the 18th century, and it, too, gives readers a clear window into the daily life of the Chickasaw people living in the Chickasaw Homeland (today's Mississippi).

Chula the Fox is narrated in the first person by Chula. As the story moves along, he provides a lot of interesting detail about everyday life, including family relationships, traditions, ceremonies, games, hunting practices, and warrior training. Chula's relationship with his father, mother, uncle, and especially his younger sister Pakali is respectful and loving. It was wonderful to see how, after Chula's father passed away, his uncle stepped right in to mentor him into adulthood. Perry has really researched these historical details well, and weaves them throughout the story seamlessly.

Perry was inspired to write Chula the Fox after his father passed away and he realized he was losing his connection to his Native heritage. You can read about this in his own words HERE.

I found Chula the Fox to be a fascinating and inspiring historical fiction coming of age story, with elements that we can all relate to, such as Chula's sorrow at losing his father, his love for his family, but it is definitely a uniquely Native story, which taught me much about Chickasaw history.

Sensitive readers should know that there is some violence in the fight scenes and animals are killed but Perry makes it very clear that is it not done for sport but for survival.

Chula the Fox is a book that will particularly appeal to historical fiction fans, and/or readers interested in Native American history, as well as anyone looking for a well written, well-plotted adventure novel.

This book is recommended for readers age 9+
Thank you to the author and the publisher, Chickasaw Press, for providing me with a review copy of this book.

[Jess Searcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent depiction of Chickasaw life reinforcing what we learned about their culture, but bringing it to life in a way a text book or website could never do. Great story and loved the ending.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely coming of age story of a young boy just before the French and Indian war who wants to avenge the death of his father. The author wrote it to educate his own children about their Chickasaw heritage and weaves that information in as a natural outgrowth of the plot.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a story of a boy growing into manhood and what that means in his culture and what that means to him, this is well done. The characters are well-developed and you feel their emotions.

But to me the most important aspect of this book is that it is a historical story about Native American life told by a member of that community, specifically the Chickasaw tribe. When I think of the historical stories I grew up with about Native Americans, I realize that they were likely all told by white people, and that despite best efforts of research and intentions, those stories cannot help but be told through the lens of the white author, with all the biases and idealizations that entails. I am happy to have a story about Native American life that comes from within the culture and I hope there will be many more.

[Cromaine Library]

A boy, grieving the loss of his father at the hands of the enemy, is determined to avenge his death by becoming a fierce warrior.

I really enjoyed learning about different Chickasaw traditions, and fans of Hatchet and other adventure stories will enjoy this one. There is violence in this book, in addition to some graphic hunting scenes, so keep that in mind if you're a squeamish reader. A helpful glossary in the back of the book defines Chickasaw words, if the reader is unfamiliar with them.

Recommended by librarian Heather