Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshal (Exceptional Social Studies Titles for Intermediate Grades) (Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux)

Amazon Best Books of the Month, November 2009 Tales of the Wild West don't get any better than the life and times of Bass Reeves, the first African-American deputy U.S. marshal and the most successful in American history. Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrator R. Gregory Christie--both Coretta Scott King Award honorees--bring this fascinating historical figure to life in Bad News for Outlaws, their superb book for middle grade readers. Kids will love the colorful language of the Old West, and the bold and dynamically rendered scenes of the heroic Reeves capturing the bad guys. And, they'll learn how the lawman--who was both greatly respected and feared--used his wits and intelligence, courage and character—and yes, incredible marksmanship--to bring more than 3,000 criminals to justice with fewer than 14 deaths in the line of duty. Put this knockout nonfiction book into the hands of readers ages 9-12. Bass Reeves is a name they won't soon forget.  --Lauren Nemroff