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

Nelson exposes readers to a lesser-known part of U.S. history in this lively biography of Bass Reeves, an African American slave who runs away, is harbored by accepting Native Americans, and later sustains a successful 32-year career as a U.S. marshal in Indian Territory. Booklist states, “An

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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.” In a lawless land, Bass Reeves stands out as a man of honor and integrity; a real-life hero for all to admire. Contains a glossary, timeline, further reading and websites to entice young readers to delve deeper into this fascinating part of the Wild West.

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This book starts off the way many good books do, and should, especially biographies: with a solid action sequence that pulls the reader in and sets the tone of what the story that follows is about. In Bad News for Outlaws this sequence is a showdown between Reeves and Jim Webb that ends with the

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lawman shooting his quarry but gaining the man's respect at the same time. There's the action of a chase, a mini lesson in right and wrong, and the theme that will carry throughout that Reeves was as honest and true a man as the West ever created.

Following this scene there is a short entr'acte that demonstrates Reeves physical strength, what life was like in the Oklahoma Territory, and that he was also respected by all, good and bad, black and white. From there the story of Reeves' life runs fairly chronological, beginning when he was a Southern slave and covering his more than thirty years as a U.S Marshal. It makes for great story that even Nelson admits at the end has all the earmarks of a tall tale, though she has striven to tell it as true as possible.

To that end the facts of the story seem straightforward and difficult to imagine being doctored. There are a couple quotes attributed to "a white sharecropper" and a "sharpshooter" that I don't doubt are sourced, but the generic nature of their attribution left me a little conflicted. On the one hand, their comments help underscore Reeves' character, but at the same time when other quotes used are attributed to specific historical individuals they stand out the same as those in other biographies I've read as coming from questionable sources. It's such a minor quibble – okay, those quotes and some of the colloquial cliches that crop up – that I almost hesitate to mention them.

So why mention them?

Because far too often it seems I run into life stories that fall short, either in quality, storytelling, or accuracy, that I felt obliged to point out a solid example of a picture book biography that comes closest I've seen to being perfect. It's open, and honest, and like it's subject not beyond a minor flaw in character, but nothing that detracts from the overall effect. Handsomely illustrated as well.

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This is definitely a title that I would have in my classroom during Black History month, during the study of Westward Expansion, when studying units on Heroes, Civil Rights from a historical perspective, The Civil War and Emancipation, etc. Honestly, I will probably just have to purchase it because

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I think that it relates to so many things I teach and is so full of fantastic information.

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Very enjoyable, wonderful illustrations.

Written with just a touch of the dime novel style so popular in the era it depicts, this is a short (about 40 p.) biography of Bass Reeves, an extraordinary African American lawman who patrolled the Indian Territories before the state of Oklahoma was formed. He always got his man, for a total of

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more than 3.000 arrests. The book is greatly enhanced by the illustrations of R. Gregory Christie, who captures Reeves' resolute nature.

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This was a good title. The well-researched biography makes efforts to cite its sources and be authentic, and tells a really remarkable story of an African American man and former slave who did things no one might have thought possible. Following his remarkable biography are fascinating historical

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details about the people, time and place mentioned in his story.

Teachers might want to share this book with students as part of study or curriculum of biographies, notable African Americans, having to do with slavery, American history, statehood, Black History Month, or even just for interests sake. Librarians might feature this title for biographies, Black History Month, or American history programming efforts.

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A true eye opener to me. As a history major, I was shocked to hear of a black lawman in the wild west with such an amazing story. A little disappointed to know that this is probably one of many great African-American stories that are buried in the past. Inspired because many of these stories are

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now coming to light as this country progresses toward racial equality.

A perfect African American history book for the middle reader and a must have in your Black History Month and Western U.S History activities.

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Personal Response: This story shows how a black man was able to grow out of slavery into a person that was well respected for the “job well done”.

Curricular or Programming Connections: Black history, Slavery

Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshall
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Illustrations by R. Gregory Christie
Carolrhoda Books, 40p.
2009
Hardcover, Non-fiction, Biography
Ages 9-12
This beautifully illustrated biography describes the life of Bass Reeves, who was born a slave

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and escaped to Indian Territory, where he went on to become a U.S. Marshall for many years. Using lots of figurative language and cowboy lingo, the book describes how Bass fooled outlaws and brought justice to his community. The back of the book features a glossary of "Western Words," a timeline, suggestions for further reading, and some more background information about this interesting time in history.

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This was just not one of my favorite CSK award winners of recent years.

Perhaps I was disappointed because I had the expectation that it was going to be better since it won the award.

The illustrations are incredible, and I am interested to learn more about R. Gregory Christie.

Fascinating story of an extraordinary man who went from escaped slave to top lawman. Bass Reeves had an amazingly long career bringing in bad guys from Indian territory. He even had to arrest his own son who killed his wife. He was a good and honest man who led a remarkable life indeed.

Bass Reeves was a deputy U.S. Marshall. "Everything about him was big." "But the biggest thing about Bass Reeves was his character. He had a dedication to duty few men could match. He didn't have a speck of fear in him. And he was as honest as the day is long." Growing up as a young slave, Bass was

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"smart and decent and had nothing but good in his heart." This is a story of Bass Reeves, who went from being a slave to a deputy, a man who was respected yet feared, "a big man who brought peace to a big country."

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A fantastic book about the remarkable life of Bass Reeves, a crack-shot runaway slave who hid out in India Territory until the Civil War was over, after which his gunslinging skills, Indian ties and impeccable morality led him to a long career as a U.S. Marshal. His reputation preceded him among

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outlaws for he always got his man, and some desperados simply turned themselves in when they heard Reeves had their warrant. He was clever in his pursuit of criminals, only shot when he had toe, and incorruptible. He even arrested his own son. The writing is well-researched and evokes the Old West and the illustrations are stunning.

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The life and career of Bass Reeves, a U.S. Marshall in Indian Territory from the 1840's through the 1880's.

Grades 3-6
This biography of a little-known hero will enthrall children. Although parts of it read like a tall tale, Nelson emphasizes that she has stayed true to the facts in an informative authors note.

Superb storytelling and stunning illustrations!

Born into slavery in Texas, in 1838, Bass Reeves would go on to become one of the most celebrated U.S. Marshals of his day, before slipping into an undeserved obscurity. Thankfully, Vaunda Micheaux Nelson is here to set young readers straight, and tell them the story of this dedicated lawman, and

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his efforts to bring safety and order to the Indian Territories (modern-day Oklahoma). Hired by Judge Isaac Parker, Reeves worked tirelessly to track down outlaws and lawbreakers, and, although willing and able to use violence, did not embrace it. Of his more than three thousand arrests, only fourteen resulted in death - an astonishing record for that time and place! Known for being incorruptible - he once arrested his own son, Benjamin, on a charge of murder - he won the respect of many of the people of the Territory, despite resistance (on the part of some) to the idea of a black lawman. He served for an incredible thirty-two years.

This engrossing book presents an exciting but little known chapter from the history of the American West, and is sure to appeal to young readers with an interest in that time and place, or who enjoy tales of outlaws (Belle Starr appears!) and the lawmen who opposed them. As other reviewers have noted, Nelson's narrative has the feeling of a Tall Tale, while R. Gregory Christie's bold illustrations capture the excitement of the story. I'd never heard of Bass Reeves before picking up this book, and am glad to have that omission rectified.

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It's a very interesting and simply told story of a true western hero. It reads like a tall-tale but is true. Although he is a dead-eye shot Bass more often uses disguises and resourcefulness to get his man. This book emphasizes his strength of character. It makes me want to read his biography if

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one exists. He was an amazing character.

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Ages 8-14.

Born into slavery, Reeves escaped during the Civil War to Indian Territory. There, he was appointed Deputy Marshall. Highly respected by law abiding citizens and feared by outlaws, Reeves made over 3,000 arrests during his 32 year career. While known as a crack-shot, only killed fourteen

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men in the line of duty.

Nelson emphasizes that Reeves used his gun only when there was no other choice,
She details many of Reeves resourceful and surprising disguises that allowed him to arrest outlaws peacefully. Nelson also explains that while many people venerated Reeves, some whites did not like having a Black lawman and wanted to harm him. Reeves’s courage and belief in right and wrong kept him going.

Christie’s paintings employ bold brushstrokes that emphasize Reeves’s larger-than-life character. The text is overlaid on amber colored, textured background reminiscent of aged paper.

The text incorporates colorful expressions from the American West, such as “tender as boot leather” or “trying to find hair on a frog.” A glossary of Western Words can be found in back. Nelson also includes a timeline of Reeves’s life, a list of further reading and websites, a selected bibliography, and information on the U.S. government’s forcible removal of Native American tribes to Indian territory.

The book succeeds in showing young readers that Bass Reeves was remarkable man and American hero who deserves greater recognition. Recommended.

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read for weekly assignment.
a picture book with a historical perspective, I found the informative text and illustrations to be exemplary. African-American role models that help shape and redefine ethnic identity with an emphasis on inclusion; I found the story of Bass Reeves to be a worthy selection

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for today's classroom. Associating and identifying the positive traits of our diverse classroom benefits the student, teachers and society itself.

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This is hands down my favorite book that I read for this class. Everything from the artwork, to the design, to the story itself was really really great! Originally drawn in by the impressive cover of the book, I really enjoyed the story of Bass Reeves and the adversity he was able to overcome to

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become one of the best Marshalls in the history of the U.S. I feel like this book could be really useful in the classroom. Any unit on American slavery could be enriched with the triumph stories of freed slaves and black men in the post Civil War Era United States.

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Bass Reeves was one of the first black U.S. marshals, he was known for being brave and fair. Having captured over 3,000 outlaws, he only killed 14 men. This book walks you through what it was like to be a U.S. Marshal in the old west.

Response - I really liked this book. I had not hear of Bass Reeves, an African American deputy of the Wild West. The story was told with a voice true to Wild West fashion. A great nugget of American history in general and specifically African-American history.The book contains additional

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information and resources at the back. I think a movie should be made about him.

Curricular connection - US history, Black history month, read aloud, characterization.

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Summary: Illustrated biography of the Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves
Genre: Biographical, informational
Awards:
Illustrations:
Age Group:
Themes: morality, race, good vs. bad, justice
My impressions: Wonderful book. Diverse, well-written, authentic, well-researched. There is extra information in the

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back for further reading and learning. Would recommend, also great depiction of African American hero.
Lesson Plan:

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