Module 5: Bad News for Outlaws by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (SLIS 5420 review)

Summary: Vaunda Micheaux Nelson’s book tells the reader about the fascinating life of Bass Reeves, a black man who served as a Deputy U.S. Marshall from 1875 to 1907. Micheaux Nelson gives the reader information about his early life as a slave, his family life, and his 32-year career with the U.S. Marshalls.

Citation: Nelson, V. M., & Christie, R. G. (2009). Bad news for outlaws: the remarkable life of Bass Reeves, deputy U.S. marshal. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books.

Impression: Bad News for Outlaws is an extremely captivating read. I had never heard of Bass Reeves before, and this book brought him to life for me and made me want to learn more about him. First of all, Nelson’s text reads like fiction. Her writing is very descriptive, and she includes memorable details from several specific warrants Reeves carried out, including one for his own son, Benjamin. She uses lots of Western words and phrases, which help set the scene and transport the readers back in time. She defines these words in a helpful glossary in the back of the book. She also includes a timeline and bibliography for readers who are interested in learning more. Christie’s paintings compliment Nelson’s text. He uses lots of neutral colors and broad brush strokes match the rough, dusty life lived by Reeves and the outlaws he chased.

Review:
School Library Journal:
Reeves is an unsung hero of the American West whose honesty and sense of duty are an inspiration to all. In a frontier brimming with treachery and lawlessness, this African-American peace officer stood out as a fearless figure of unparalleled integrity, arresting more than 3,000 outlaws during his 32 years of service as a deputy U.S. marshal, all without suffering an injury. He was a former slave who became a successful farmer and family man before accepting the appointment to serve as a lawman in the Indian Territory in 1875. While Gary Paulsen's The Legend of Bass Reeves (Random, 2006) mixes fact and fiction to great effect, Nelson chooses to keep her telling as close to documented research as possible. Selected anecdotes ranging from a humorous encounter with a skunk to an intense gunfight with an outlaw provide a sense of the man's courage and character. The text is chock-full of colorful turns of phrase that will engage readers who don't "cotton to" nonfiction (a glossary of "Western Words" is included). Christie's memorable paintings convey Reeves's determination and caring, while rugged brushstrokes form the frontier terrain. Youngsters will find much to admire here.

Glasscock, L. (2009). [Review of the book Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal, by V. Nelson and R. Christie]. School Library Journal, 55(11), 134-135. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Uses in a library: Bad News for Outlaws could be used as part of booktalk highlighting books on little-know historical figures, or in a display for Black History Month in February.