Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
published in 2009 by Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis)
2010 Coretta Scott King Book Award Winner
published in 2009 by Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis)
2010 Coretta Scott King Book Award Winner
Summary
Bad News for Outlaws is the true story of the amazing life of Bass Reeves. Born a slave, he escaped to freedom in Indian Territory during the Civil War. Later, he served as deputy U.S. marshal in Indian Territory for 32 years. He arrested over 3,000 outlaws and only killed 14 men. The book highlights several of his adventures and some of his arrests.
Check this link out to hear Nelson read the first few pages!
Impressions
I'm really impressed with Bad News for Outlaws. The writing style is really fun, and fits extremely well with the story, giving it a western feel. The illustrations are a great supplement to the story as well. Many of the pages are illustrated to look like it is on the famous Wanted pictures of the time, also adding to the western feel of the story. It is very effective how Nelson focuses on how remarkable Bass Reeves was: instead of focusing on the injustices Reeves faced, Nelson celebrates his strengths, his ability to be a defender of justice, and his commitment to being a good person.
Nelson's writing is clear, concise, and entertaining. I believe children can really enjoy reading about Bass Reeves life, be entertained by the story and the pictures, and gain a hero that truly lived.
I highly recommend this book!
Reviews
"Reeves is an unsung hero of the American West whose honesty and sense of duty are an inspiration to all. In a frontier brimming with treachery and lawlessness, this African-American peace officer stood out as a fearless figure of unparalleled integrity, arresting more than 3,000 outlaws during his 32 years of service as a deputy U.S. marshal, all without suffering an injury. He was a former slave who became a successful farmer and family man before accepting the appointment to serve as a lawman in the Indian Territory in 1875. While Gary Paulsen's The Legend of Bass Reeves (Random, 2006) mixes fact and fiction to great effect, Nelson chooses to keep her telling as close to documented research as possible. Selected anecdotes ranging from a humorous encounter with a skunk to an intense gunfight with an outlaw provide a sense of the man's courage and character. The text is chock-full of colorful turns of phrase that will engage readers who don't "cotton to" nonfiction (a glossary of "Western Words" is included). Christie's memorable paintings convey Reeves's determination and caring, while rugged brushstrokes form the frontier terrain. Youngsters will find much to admire here."--Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information. Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print Professional database.
"Nelson and Christie know the proper way to open a western with a showdown. Young readers first see outlaw Jim Webb bursting through a glass window; then lawman Bass Reeves' eye sighting down the barrel of his Winchester rifle. After that, kids will have no trouble loping into this picture-book biography. Born a slave, Reeves became one of the most feared and respected Deputy U.S. Marshals to tame the West. Nelson's anecdotal account gives this criminally overlooked frontier hero the same justice that Gary Paulsen did in his book for slightly older readers, The Legend of Bass Reeves (2006). The text, especially, gets into the tall-tale spirit of things ( Bass had a big job. And it suited him right down to the ground. Everything about him was big. ), while the dramatic scenes captured in Christie's stately artwork promise revisitations to the lawman's story. An exciting subject captured with narrative panache and visual swagger, Bass Reeves stands to finally gain his share of adulation from kids drawn to the rough-and-tumble Old West."--Chipman, Ian Copyright 2009 Booklist Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print Profession database.
Uses
Bad News for Outlaws is a great book to remember for those biography school reports. While, it's a picture book, there is a wealth of information in it.
It would also be a great book to read in a storytime ages 7-10, that has a western theme.
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