Scan barcode
bookbrig's review
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I knew of the people profiled here before I picked the book up, but I really liked the mix of graphic novel stories with historical photographs and informative and useful back-matter. This is a great choice to show kids that the pop-culture version of history is a lot whiter than actual history ever was, and the themes of cowboys and the wild west are an easy sell for booktalks. I would absolutely read more non-fiction in this vein, even as an adult reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Slavery
porshea's review
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
This is a good entry point for people who don't know much about Black people out West during the post-Reconstruction era but could benefit from more extensive research like which Native American tribes were interacted with and more details about what characters could expect in their daily lives. Good jump off point for people seeking names to research.
elizabethlk's review
4.0
Black Heroes of the Wild West is a fascinating, fun, and accessible book that tells the stories of Mary Fields, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons. Using an easy-to-follow comics style with solid illustrations, the book will appeal to even reluctant readers. The stories are important ones that give us a glimpse into the real lives of Black people in the Old West, a viewpoint that is sorely underrepresented elsewhere. While I was personally familiar with two out of three subjects (I had not previously read about Bob Lemmons), I suspect many readers will be learning of all three for the first time, and it serves as a great introduction. I was definitely surprised by some of what I learned regardless of what I knew beforehand. The introduction and the endnotes add some great context and some fascinating extra information, as do some of the real photographs that were included.
Recommended!
Recommended!
stacieh's review
5.0
This book was so fun and so educational. The author sets out to describe the diversity that existed in America’s history. The art work and historical photos was great. It was easy to read yet was packed with information. I feel like I sat through a history class. I first heard about this through Brenna on the What Should I Read Next podcast/Patreon group. I am so glad she recommended this. I will be handing this off to my children to read and have passed it and the wonderful book list at the end to a teacher friend. Thank you to Netgalley and Myrick Marketing/TOON Graphics for this free copy in exchange for my honest review.
More...