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labunnywtf's review against another edition
4.0
Received via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
I am FURIOUS at how short this is.
There's only 3 stories, plus loads of awesome historical bits and bobs, and wonderful black and white photos from the days of the wild west.
The three stories are AMAZING. The author knew what he was doing when he made the first one about a woman. Stagecoach Mary is a QUEEN among women, and exactly who I would want to be if I lived during that time.
Then the second, which I can't talk about without absolutely spoiling it, and the third story, about someone who learned the real trick to catching wild horses.
Seriously, I loved these dang stories so much AND IT'S NOT FAIR THAT THIS IS SO SHORT.
Mad forever.
I am FURIOUS at how short this is.
There's only 3 stories, plus loads of awesome historical bits and bobs, and wonderful black and white photos from the days of the wild west.
The three stories are AMAZING. The author knew what he was doing when he made the first one about a woman. Stagecoach Mary is a QUEEN among women, and exactly who I would want to be if I lived during that time.
Then the second, which I can't talk about without absolutely spoiling it, and the third story, about someone who learned the real trick to catching wild horses.
Seriously, I loved these dang stories so much AND IT'S NOT FAIR THAT THIS IS SO SHORT.
Mad forever.
geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
'Black Heroes of the Wild West' by James Otis Smith is a graphic novel featuring three folks who made their mark in the old West.
First up is Stagecoach Mary who played cards and smoked cigars and made all her deliveries as well as looking out for those people around her. Bass Reeves, goes undercover to capture some criminals before revealing he's a US Marshal. Bob Lemmons was good at catching and taming horses through patience and observation.
History is great and it's nice to see the people in this book remembered. There is more history in the back for those who want to learn a bit more. The art is great and these would be great stories for classroom learning or just for kids who like reading about larger than life people.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
First up is Stagecoach Mary who played cards and smoked cigars and made all her deliveries as well as looking out for those people around her. Bass Reeves, goes undercover to capture some criminals before revealing he's a US Marshal. Bob Lemmons was good at catching and taming horses through patience and observation.
History is great and it's nice to see the people in this book remembered. There is more history in the back for those who want to learn a bit more. The art is great and these would be great stories for classroom learning or just for kids who like reading about larger than life people.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
thenextgenlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
This is an automatic 5 stars for me. I'm obsessed with Kadir Nelson's artwork and the introduction he wrote for this graphic novel was inspiring to say the least. I loved the artwork and the information shared about a topic that many people don't know about because it's not taught enough in schools. Hopefully books like these will fill those gaps in.
rdyourbookcase's review against another edition
5.0
I only wish that this book had been longer! I definitely wanted to know more.
thenextgenlib's review against another edition
5.0
This is an automatic 5 stars for me. I'm obsessed with Kadir Nelson's artwork and the introduction he wrote for this graphic novel was inspiring to say the least. I loved the artwork and the information shared about a topic that many people don't know about because it's not taught enough in schools. Hopefully books like these will fill those gaps in.
julieanncordero's review against another edition
5.0
If all you know about the West is Buffalo Bill’s Wild West I would highly recommend reading this graphic novel/informations book on Black Heroes.
I actually learned a lot and after each of the three little stories I turned to my phone to find out more information.
I also appreciated the little sections of information in the back of the book on topics such as buffalo soldiers, barbed wire and cowboys and their Mexican origins.
I actually learned a lot and after each of the three little stories I turned to my phone to find out more information.
I also appreciated the little sections of information in the back of the book on topics such as buffalo soldiers, barbed wire and cowboys and their Mexican origins.
laileanah's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
My Grandkids LOVED this!
The pictures are vibrant and the text is age appropriate.
The pictures are vibrant and the text is age appropriate.
zoes_human's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
4.0
This graphic biography depicts the stories of three amazing Black historical figures from the "Wild West": Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons. In doing so, it not only shares their exciting experiences but also broadens our understand of the multicultural and invasive nature of the "settlement" of the western United States. It features some wonderful and rare photos from the time along with the illustrated panels. Definitely a must-read for folks interest in this part of American history. Suitable for ages 9 -12.
allysunsun's review against another edition
4.0
A really cool graphic novel that taught me about some unknown icons within in Black History! I really hope the do more in this series because it was such a quick and easy way to learn about some very important people.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.
jess_segraves's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn’t expecting BLACK HEROES OF THE WILD WEST to be so impactful, but it left me feeling joyful and hopeful. It explores the mostly untold history of the West, and between Kadir Nelson’s introduction and James Otis Smith’s wonderful visual storytelling, I learned so much. (For example, I had no idea that during Reconstruction, up to one-third of some populations were Black.) Though geared towards young readers ages 8 and up, I think this book is a fantastic introduction for adults too. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t learn this stuff in school!
This book covers the tremendous work of three Black pioneers during the Reconstruction Era:
• Mary Fields, a hardworking woman who shook up gendered society and persisted tirelessly as a mail carrier
• Bass Reeves, the first Black U.S. Marshall west of the Mississippi
• Bob Lemmons, a mustanger who leveraged humane ways to work with wild horses
All three were born into enslavement and either escaped or were freed following the Civil War, and the illustrations and storytelling are a perfect introduction to these badass historical figures.
What I find missing in a lot of Western U.S. history is the narrative around people of color. So much of history tries to downplay things like the white settlers’ exploitation of Indigenous people and theft of their land, the infrastructural work that Chinese folks paid for with their labor and lives, the role of Black folks in literally any space. And if we’re lacking it in books for grownups, I wasn’t expecting to see this in a middle grade book – but was delighted to be wrong.
This book confronts these topics head-on, and readers get a more robust and whole picture of what the West was really like. The end of the book features several pages on the history of Indigenous, Mexican, mixed-race, Black, and Chinese folks in this era and their lasting impact. There are also references and suggested resources for anyone looking to learn more.
This book covers the tremendous work of three Black pioneers during the Reconstruction Era:
• Mary Fields, a hardworking woman who shook up gendered society and persisted tirelessly as a mail carrier
• Bass Reeves, the first Black U.S. Marshall west of the Mississippi
• Bob Lemmons, a mustanger who leveraged humane ways to work with wild horses
All three were born into enslavement and either escaped or were freed following the Civil War, and the illustrations and storytelling are a perfect introduction to these badass historical figures.
What I find missing in a lot of Western U.S. history is the narrative around people of color. So much of history tries to downplay things like the white settlers’ exploitation of Indigenous people and theft of their land, the infrastructural work that Chinese folks paid for with their labor and lives, the role of Black folks in literally any space. And if we’re lacking it in books for grownups, I wasn’t expecting to see this in a middle grade book – but was delighted to be wrong.
This book confronts these topics head-on, and readers get a more robust and whole picture of what the West was really like. The end of the book features several pages on the history of Indigenous, Mexican, mixed-race, Black, and Chinese folks in this era and their lasting impact. There are also references and suggested resources for anyone looking to learn more.