Illustrated By: R. Gregory Christie
ISBN: 9780822567646
Bibliography:
Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux. 2009. Bad News for Outlaws: the Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal. Ill. by Gregory Christie. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books.
Plot:
This book chronicles the life of Bass Reeves, a larger than life lawman who was born into slavery and eventually became one of the most widely known and respected lawmen of his time.
Analysis:
Readers will be immediately drawn into this story, which begins with a shoot-out in Indian Territory in 1884 in which Bass is forced to kill or be killed by a ruthless outlaw. Bass is described as being big and strong yet "having nothing but right in his heart". A major theme in the story is how Bass overcame slavery to become a phenomenal lawman despite not knowing how to read.
The only multicultural markers detected in this story include the illustrations and the topic of slavery. The amazing, impressionistic images by Gregory Christie depict Bass as a handsome, strong, and courageous, African-American man. Slavery is also an important marker in this story. Even as a slave, Bass seemed happy and often sang while he worked. Things change when Bass had a disagreement with his owner. Nelson and Christie reveal the darkness and fear that Bass felt as he ran for his life through the woods to escape certain death. The use of dark colors helps to set the tone for this terrifying event in Bass's life. The fact that Bass overcame slavery to become something great can bring great hope to the reader.
In the author's note Nelson says, "Bass's story is so remarkable, it comes close to sounding like a tall tale. But it isn't. It's true. And I've done my best to tell it true." Through this work, Nelson and Christie can educate the world about the amazing person that Bass Reeves was and keep his story alive.
Review Excerpts:
Horn Book Starred: “Bass Reeves, born a slave, captured over three thousand outlaws as a deputy U.S. marshal. This captivating biography is told in language as colorful as Reeves's career. Accentuated with a palette knife, Christie's sharply textured paintings create an impressionist background of an unformed land as well as detailed portraits of Reeves, his bold black hat conveying unmistakable authority.”
Library Media Connection: “This is a well-written and beautifully-illustrated picture book biography of Bass Reeves, U.S. Marshal of the Wild West. His childhood background as a slave is discussed. The majority of the book is devoted to his conquests of law-breakers in the Indian Territory, as he brought criminals to justice throughout the West. His ability to communicate with Native Americans, cowboys, and pioneers is described, along with his triumph in overcoming prejudice directed toward him as an African American. Richly illustrated with watercolors, and appended with a glossary, timeline, and a bibliography/webliography, this is a very worthwhile purchase for biography collections.”
*This book paired with the following book for a compare/contrast activity:
Gary Paulsen. The Legend of Bass Reeves : Being the True and Fictional Account of the Most Valiant Marshal in the West. ISBN 9780385746618
*Other books by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson:
Almost to Freedom ISBN: 9781575053424
Juneteenth ISBN: 9780822559740
Ready, Set. Raymond! ISBN: 9780375813634
Who Will I Be, Lord? ISBN: 9780375843426
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