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---------------------------------- Recipient of Peach’s Picks Award Top Ten Favorite Books Summer 2011 |
Author: Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Peach's Picks rating:
Peach's Picks rating:
Year of publication: 2009
City of publication: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
ISBN: 978-0-8225-6764-6
Author website: No author website, but a website is available offering information about Ms. Nelson http://www.lernerbooks.com/Pages/Author-Illustrator-Details.aspx?contactid=918
Media used for illustrations: textured paintings created with acrylic paints and accentuated with a palette knife; impressionistic rather than realistic
Annotation: The life story of Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves who was born a slave in Texas. The book highlights events including Reeves posing as a fugitive to capture outlaws.
Personal reaction to the book: This book tells the very interesting life-story of the little known Bass Reeves. The text moves along at a rapid story-like pace. The story and illustrations flow, working well together to keep the reader interested in Reeves’ life and adventures. Included at the end of the book is information provided by the author including: a photograph of Bass Reeves, glossary of Western words, timeline of Reeves’ life, suggested further readings and websites, and additional notes. These add to the story and quench the reader’s longing for more information about Reeves. The story is sprinkled with colloquial western language that may be unfamiliar to readers thus needing explanation (refer to glossary). Some information is presented as sepia-toned “wanted posters,” adding to the old West experience of the book. The illustrations are large and bold, well-suited to the large bold life of Bass Reeves. They are large and distinct so a room of viewers will be able to see them. The artist’s brush strokes are rugged giving a sense of strength and force to this description of the American West. The book makes a good read-aloud, holding the attention of the listeners who will be fascinated by this not-so-well known American hero.
General curricular connections:
- Biographies
- African American biographies
- American history (circa 1840-1900)
Recommended grade levels:
School Library Journal recommends the book for grades 3-8
Booklist recommends the book for grades 3-5
Peach’s Pick’s recommends the book for grades 4 and up
Awards/Recognitions:
Junior Library Guild SelectionSchool Library Journal starred review
Horn Book starred review
Kirkus Review starred review
Simon Wiesenthal Center Children’s Book Award
Coretta Scott King Book Award, Author Winner, 2010
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People (biography category), 2010
ALA Notable Children’s Book List, 2010
Simile: Page 7, “Bass took to guns like a bear to honey…”
Simile: Page 6, “And he was as honest as the day is long.”
Simile: Page 15, “But Bass was right as rain from the boot heals up.”
Simile: Page 24, “Belle was about as far from tender as boot leather.”
Metaphor: Page 7, “Even as a youngster, his star shone bright.”
Sophisticated language: Page 10, “The territory became a haven for the West’s most notorious outlaws.”
Symbolism through illustration: Bass Reeves’ large black hat demonstrates authority
Book cover illustration retrieved from http://www.gas-art.com/?p=11
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