Bad News for Outlaws: Diversity Title #1

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Title: Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshall

Author: Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie

Year Published: 2009

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
Awards: Coretta Scott King Award (2010)

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Vaunda Micheaux Nelson's book, Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshall, is a tale of the noble U.S. Deputy Marshall, Bass Reeves.  Reeves was born into slavery and, following the Civil War, earned his freedom.  He was hired as a Deputy Marshall and became one of the most respected lawmen of his time.  Reeves often donned disguises to capture criminals and served for over 30 years.

My favorite detail of the book is Reeves' character.  He was a noble man and his story should be told.  Reeves loved what he did and stuck to his morals, even when it meant arresting his own son.  I also enjoyed the illustrations.  Christie's realistic use of color brought the West to life.

This book includes a timeline, additional research resources, a Western vocabulary list, and an author's note about the story.

This book is appropriate for intermediate readers.  Younger readers can look at the pictures, but the vocabulary will be too advanced for them.  It can be used to teach African-American history, civil affairs, and American history.  Some readers may be uncomfortable with the casual way death is dealt with in this story, but it does not overwhelm the plot.

Why should this title be in every classroom/library collection?

This title shows a different side of the Old West than readers are used to.  Many times, cowboys are portrayed as middle aged, white men.  However, Reeves breaks the mold as an African-American lawman near the time of the Civil War.  This lesson in diversity is an important one for young readers to learn.  Showing diverse characters in authority positions helps reinforce dreams for young diverse readers.

How does this book compare to similar books/author’s other books?

Nelson's other titles always include African-American children as characters.  She writes with strong themes of family, celebration, and traditions.  Her books also tend to have a historical slant, such as this one discussing the Old West.

What did I learn about children’s literature from this book?

Diverse historical figures can make for strong, authentic characters.  Life lessons can be learned from these titles, especially character traits such as nobility and honor.

Other titles by this author include:

Almost to Freedom

Beyond Mayfield

Who Will I Be, Lord?

Moses (Coretta Scott King Award Winner)

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Title: Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

Author: Carole Boston Weatherford

Illustrator: Kadir Nelson

Year Published: 2006

Publisher: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion
Awards: Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award (2007), Caldecott Honor (2007)

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Carole Boston Weatherford's book, Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, is a retelling of Harriet Tubman's travels from slavery to freedom.  It follows her long journey north, showing her fears and troubles, as well as her decision to return to the South to help other slaves.  The book is told using three different voices, the narrator's, Harriet's, and God's.  

My favorite details of the book are the illustrations.  There is a realism in Harriet's form that looks almost like a photograph.  Kadir Nelson's skills are on full display.  I also enjoy the historical basis for the book's events.

I did not like the language flow of the book.  The book seems a little disjointed because it is hard to differentiate between speakers.  Provided teachers give enough background, the spiritual tones of the book shouldn't pose a problem.  However, the plot zigzags a bit too much after Harriet decides to return south.

This book is appropriate in upper elementary classrooms.  It can be used with a study of African-American history or folk heroes.  It would also lend itself well to a classroom performance, due to its various speakers.

What in your life would have influenced this reaction/response?

I tend to enjoy realistic art, especially surrounding American history.  Tubman's features in the swamp, especially, truly convey her fear.  After learning about Tubman for most of my schooling career, this book pictorially captures her story unlike any other book I have read.

How does this book address diversity?

This book addresses the issues of slavery and the Underground Railroad using a spiritual undertone.  Harriet Tubman is a hero for her work helping other slaves escape to the North.  The introduction and epilogue in the book detail events surrounding Tubman's life and the lives of other slaves at that time.  

What did I learn about children’s literature from this book?

From this book, I learned that one can incorporate different voices within the same story.  Although the author did this in a disjointed way in this book, I can understand what she was trying to accomplish.  The author used different fonts for each speaker.

Other titles by this author include:

Freedom on the Menu

Juneteenth Jamboree

The Sound that Jazz Makes

A Julius Lester/Jerry Pinkney Tale

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Title: John Henry

Author: Julius Lester

Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney

Year Published: 1994

Publisher: Dial Books
Awards: Boston Globe-Horn Book Award (1995), ALA Notable Book (1995), Caldecott Honor (1995)

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Julius Lester's book, John Henry, is a folktale about a gargantuan man named John Henry.  He has a reputation as being the strongest and fastest at everything he attempts.  John helps with the early construction of America's roads and ends up becoming one of its favorite sons.  

My favorite detail of the book is the conversational language in which it was told.  An African-American dialect is used, which provides authenticity to the story as a generational folktale.  Phrases such as "Don't make me no never mind" allow the reader to imagine John Henry and his time.  I also enjoy the illustrations in this book because they are so realistic.  I can almost feel the texture of John's shirt or the rough edges of the boulder.

I do not like the abrupt nature that John's death is dealt with in this book.  The author does a great job of building the character up that when he dies, it deflates the reader.  

This book is appropriate in any classroom setting.  I can imagine it being tied in with the study of American history, African-American history, and folktales.

What in your life would have influenced this reaction/response?

I chose this book because my grandmother loves to say "Whoa, John Henry" when one of us gets ahead of ourselves.  I never understood why she said that, so when I saw this title, I knew I had to do my research.  She likely says this because of John Henry's speed and strength.  

Reading about John Henry reinforces my love of early American history.  I enjoy learning about past folk heroes and how our country came to into being.  

How does this book compare to similar books/author’s other books?

Similar books involving early American folk heroes are also able to blend character with plot.  In researching the author and illustrator, I find they are well-known in African-American book circles and enjoy working together.  Both like to retell African-American folktales and have won various awards for their work.

What did I learn about children’s literature from this book?

This book blends an authentic story with exceptional illustrations.  It reminds us all that one does not have to sacrifice meaning for beauty in children's literature.

Other titles by these authors include:

Black Cowboy Wild Horses

Day of Tears
The Lion and the Mouse (2010 Caldecott Winner)
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi (with Rudyard Kipling)

Tales of Uncle Remus