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

Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux, Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal, Carolrhoda Books, 2008, 41 pgs.

Summary: The story of U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves is historical. Bass Reeves was a slave in Oklahoma. When he couldn’t take it anymore he ran away to Indian Territory and once slavery was outlawed, he was chosen to be a U.S. Marshal in Indian Territory. Bass Reeves could not read, as most slaves could not at this time, so he had to memorize all the details of the outlaws he tracked down from what was read to him. Bass Reeves also used unique was to catch his fugitives such as disquises, tricks, and yes sometimes force. Not everybody appreciated Bass Reeves as most whites still disliked African Americans, but he was highly respected. Bass Reeves even had to arrest his own son for killing another person. Bass Reeves hung up his U.S. Marshal’s hat when Oklahoma became a state, but still worked as a law man. In total Bass Reeves captured over 3000 fugitives.

Evaluation: This was really a very remarkable story and I really enjoyed reading it. The illustrations added that little extra to the story to make it come to life. I can’t believe I had no idea about this historical person and I wish more information was available. I felt it was a very unique way to look at a very historical part of our national story.

Annotation: U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves is hunting you, but you don’t know how he will find you, only that he will.

Significance of Book: This book highlights a very important part of history as well as an U.S. Marshal’s life that made history himself as an African American lawman.

Genre/subject: Biography, history

Awards:

National:

• ALA Notable Children's Books: 2010
• Capitol Choices: 2010
• Coretta Scott King Author Award: 2010
• Golden Kite Honors: 2010
• Kirkus Best Children's Books: 2009
• Notable Books for a Global Society: 2010

State:

• Indiana: Young Hoosier Award Nominees: 2012
• Louisiana: Young Readers' Choice Award Nominees: 2012
• Oklahoma: Sequoyah Award Nominees: 2012
• Rhode Island: Children's Book Award Nominees: 2012
• South Carolina: Children's Book Award Nominees: 2012

Why I selected the book: I was recommended to read this book by the youth librarian at my library. She felt it was worthy of its awards and I wanted to read a Coretta Scott King winner.

Price: $26.80

Stitches

Small, David, Stitches, W.W. Norton & Co., 2009, 329 pgs.

Summary: This novel by David Small is the story of his life as a young child and into his teenage years. As a young child, David had breathing issues and so his father, who was a doctor, used the method at that time to help cure him which was radiation. As David got older it was discovered that he had Cancer and they had to remove some glands in his neck as well as one of his vocal cords. David struggles the whole novel with not having a voice in his family and truly being unable to have a voice once his vocal cord was removed. The complexity of David’s family life I am sure is not unusual of most families, but reading through the point of view of a young child and then a teenager puts a different twist on things. The relationship or lack of relationship that David has with his parents is apparent throughout the entire novel and is something that I think many young adults can still relate to today even though the time period is different.

Evaluation: I found this novel to be a quick read, but not an easy one. The experience of having cancer and not being told that you have cancer strikes me as very difficult to understand. Overall I think graphic novel form was the best form to pull together such a unique story. The type of illustration and language used was very fitting. It really made it clear how David saw his father and the doctors rather than what they may have actually looked like. It was also very interesting to see the illustrated emotions as David couldn’t speak, but still had rage.

Annotation: My vocal cord was gone, I couldn’t talk, and it was all my father’s fault.

Significance of Book: A wonderful example of medicine in the 1950s and illustrated example of surviving an unloving family. A powerful graphic novel showing perseverance and ultimately healing of a childhood trauma.

Genre/subject: non-fiction, biography, graphic novel, cancer

Awards:

National:

• · Alex award: 2010

Why I selected the book: I selected this book because it looks so childish, but is so serious. I have discovered that with many graphic novels, the illustrations are simple because the concept is so powerful.

Price: $15.95

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

Satrapi, Marjane, Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood, Pantheon Books, 2003, 153 pgs.

Summary: The realness of the voice in this novel about a young girl living in Iran does an exceptional job of bring history to life. The author herself is the main character in this novel about the Islamic Revolution. The seemingly innocent account of the events leading up to the Islamic taking over Iran is strong and vibrant allowing the reader to learn about the complex concepts of this time in history. The confusion that must have been felt by many Iranians is clear as this thirteen year old depicts different history changing events. The illustrations are simple black and white comic frames which are also done by the author. The viewpoint and the simplistic illustrations all provide a powerful backdrop for the foundation of a revolution.

Evaluation: I fell in love with the thirteen year old main character and couldn’t help from wanting to stand up with here. I was surprised at how much more I learned from simple black and white pictures on the page and by the end of the novel I felt far more educated by this defining event in history that has come to affect so many American’s today. I can see why this young adult novel is loved by teens and adults alike as it is such a human look at how we all are affected.

Annotation: Marjane lives in Iran just as the Islamic Revolution begins. What does her future hold as a female under Islam?

Significance of Book: This is a frank look at the Islamic Revolution through a child’s eye. The Islamic Revolution is not very well understood and this book helps to provide a better understanding.

Genre/subject: Iranian Revolution, biography, women

Awards:

National:

• · Alex award: 2004
• · Best Fiction for Young Adults: 2004
• · Capitol Choices: 2004
• · SLJ Best Adult Books for High School Students: 2003

State:

• · Arizona: Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominees: 2008
• · Georgia: Georgia Peach Award Nominees: 2004
• · Indiana: Eliot Rosewater Award Nominees: 2006
• · New Jersey: Garden State Teen Book Award Nominees: 2006

Why I selected the book: I was interested in the appeal of this book. I knew it was about Iran, but had no idea it was from a child’s point of view.

Price: $13.95