KRLemmons African American Authors, African American History, African American Illustrators, African American Literature, Children's literature

Bad News for Outlaws

BIGbassmedal

 

During Black History Month, I like to learn about relatively unknown African Americans, some who may be called “unsung heroes.” One such person was Bass Reeves, an African American Deputy U.S. Marshall.  Thanks to award winning author, Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, and award winning illustrator, R. Gregory Christie, together they created the book, Bad News for Outlaws The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshall. This title is available in hardcover library binding, Kindle, audible, and paperback.m

Bass Reeves was born into slavery in 1838.  Although he had a tough life, he had a strong sense of right and wrong that many people admired.  The Indian Territory was a haven for many outlaws.  When Judge Isaac Parker tried to bring order to this territory, he chose Bass to be a deputy U.S. marshal.  Bass proved to be the best man for the job.

Bass worked more than thirty years capturing more than 3000 outlaws.  His techniques were cunning, respectful, and peaceful.  Violence was Bass’ last resort.  As a result of Bass’ techniques, he killed only 14 men in the line of duty.  To read how he accomplish this, you must read the book.

Nelson’s thorough research of Bass Reeves’ and her storytelling skills is evident at the beginning of the story.  Readers will immediately be drawn into the story when they read the first sentence: “Jim Webb’s luck was running muddy when Bass Reeves rode into town.” Christie’s illustration on the next page captures the fear on Jim Webb’s face, and the quiet, solemn demeanor of Bass Reeves chasing him.  Young readers will recognize  the themes of justice and fairness,  and love the large images of Big Bad Bass Reeves and also the fine attention to details.  Once you read this story, you will love it too and include it in your collection.

Additional resources, both print and electronic, on Bass Reeves are listed below.

Burton, Art T., Black Gun, Silver Star: The Life and Legend of Frontier Marshal Bass Reeves

Paulsen, Gary., The Legend of Bass Reeves 

NPR: Bad News for Outlaws http://www.npr.org/books/titles/195248918/bad-news-for-outlaws-the-remarkable-life-of-bass-reeves-deputy-u-s-marshal

Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10131675/Was-the-real-Lone-Ranger-black.html

National Park Service: http://www.nps.gov/fosm/historyculture/bass_reeves.htm

Times New Record: http://swtimes.com/sections/news/special-reports/bass-reeves-former-slave-lived-unusual-life.html

The Life and Times of Deputy U.S. Marshall Bass Reeves: http://mentalfloss.com/article/33537/life-and-times-deputy-us-marshal-bass-reeves

Activities:

https://childrenslit-socialstudies.wikispaces.com/Bad+News+for+Outlaws+Reinforcing+Activity

http://www.islma.org/2012BluestemResources/BadNewsOutlaws.pdf

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=16285

KRLemmons African American History

February 28 African American Historical Events

Today in Black History – February 28 *

1704 – A school for African Americans is opened in New York City by
Elias Neau, a Frenchman.

1708 – A slave revolt occurs in Newton, Long Island in New York State.
Seven whites are killed. Two African American male slaves and
an Indian slave are hanged, and an African American woman is
burned alive.

1776 – George Washington, in his letter of acknowledgment to Phyllis
Wheatley for a poem she wrote for his birthday, says, “I thank
you most sincerely for…the elegant line you enclosed…the
style and manner exhibit a striking proof of your poetic
talents.”

1778 – Rhode Island General Assembly in precedent-breaking act
authorizes the enlistment of slaves.

1784 – Phyllis Wheatley, poet, joins the ancestors.

1854 – Some 50 slavery opponents meet in Ripon, Wisconsin, to call for
the creation of a new political group, which will become the
Republican Party.

1859 – Arkansas legislature requires free African Americans to choose
between exile and enslavement.

1871 – Second Enforcement Act gave federal officers and courts control
of registration and voting in congressional elections.

1942 – Riots against African Americans occur in Detroit, Michigan at
the Sojourner Truth Homes.

1943 – “Porgy and Bess” opens on Broadway with Anne Brown and Todd
Duncan in starring roles.

1945 – Charles “Bubba” Smith is born in Beaumont, Texas. He will
become a professional football player with the Baltimore
Colts, Oakland Raiders and the Houston Oilers. After a
successful football career, he will become an actor in the
“Police Academy” series. He also will become the president and
CEO of Vital Aircraft Company, which solicits the Department
of Defense for government contracts. To illustrate his
enduring interest in education and work with children, he will
endow an engineering scholarship at his alma mater, Michigan
State University.

1956 – Adrian Dantley is born. He will become a professional
basketball player and star with the Utah Jazz. He will be
their top scorer in 1981 and 1984.

1962 – Rae Dawn Chong is born in Edmonton, Alberta. She will become
an actress in movies like “Quest for Fire.”

1967 – Wilt Chamberlain sets a NBA record with his 35th consecutive
field goal.

1968 – Frankie Lymon, a Rock and Roll singer who became a star with
his teenage group, “The Teenagers,” joins the ancestors at
the age of 25 after a drug overdose.

1977 – Eddie “Rochester” Anderson joins the ancestors at the age of
71. Born in Oakland, California, to a theatrical family,
Anderson’s guest appearance in a 1937 Jack Benny Easter show
grew to be a 30-year career on the popular radio, and later
television, program.

1984 – Singer Michael Jackson wins eight Grammy Awards in Los Angeles,
breaking the previous record of six awards won by a single
artist in 1965. Jackson’s awards stem from his album
“Thriller,” which became the biggest selling record of all
time with 35 million copies sold since its release in 1982.

1991 – “The Content of our Character,” the controversial book on
affirmative action and race relations by Shelby Steele, wins
the National Book Critics Circle Award.

1998 – Todd Duncan joins the ancestors at his home in Washington, DC,
at the age 95. His ascension is on the fifty-fifth
anniversary of his starring role in the Broadway opening of
“Porgy and Bess.”

Information retrieved from the Munirah Chronicle and is edited by Rene’ A. Perry.