Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons - by James Otis Smith

About the Book

""Black Heroes of the Wild West" celebrates the extraordinary true tales of three black historical figures in the Old West: Mary "Stagecoach" Fields, a cardplaying coach driver; Bass Reeves, the first black Deputy S Marshall west of the Mississippi; and Bob Lemmons, a cowboy famous for his ability to tame mustangs"--

Book Synopsis

NYPL'S TOP 10 BOOKS ​FOR KIDS

Exploring American history and finding diversity at its roots!

This graphic novel by JAMES OTIS SMITH celebrates the extraordinary true tales of three black heroes who took control of their destinies and stood up for their communities in the Old West. Born into slavery in Tennessee, Mary Fields became famous as "Stagecoach Mary," a cigar-chomping, card playing coach driver who never missed a delivery. Bass Reeves, the first black Deputy US Marshal west of the Mississippi, was one of the wiliest lawmen in the territories, bringing thousands of outlaws to justice with his smarts. Bob Lemmons lived to be 99 years old and was so good with horses that the wild mustangs on the plains of Texas took him for one of their own.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

From the introduction by KADIR NELSON, winner of the 2020 Caldecott Award: "Black Heroes of the Wild West is a brilliant and entertaining offering. Through sharp and evocative storytelling in the exciting medium of comics, lesser-known African American historical figures will be introduced to new generations of readers."

Review Quotes

NYPL'S TOP 10 BOOKS ​FOR KIDS
NPR Book Concierge Favorite Books of 2020
2021 ALA Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List
2021 Great Graphic Novels for Teens, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
A 2020 VLA Graphic Novel Diversity Award Honor Book
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

"These biographical comics are entertaining overviews that disrupt Wild West mythology."
-- The New York Times

"Highly recommended for all collections"
-- Booklist STARRED REVIEW

"[Smith] manages to capture the humanity of each subject, while giving the entire book the 'hero' vibe promised in the title."
--Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast by Julie Danielson

"Smith is an exceptional storyteller and you'll be pulled into the stories immediately."
--Imagination Soup

About the Author

James Otis Smith is the illustrator of Showtime at the Apollo: The Epic Tale of Harlem's Legendary Theatre, and a multi-talented artist whose work spans illustration, comics, motion graphics, and video. This is his first book as both author and illustrator. Smith lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Kadir Nelson is the author or illustrator of more than thirty children's books including The Undefeated, written by Kwame Alexander, which received the 2020 Caldecott Medal, the Coretta Scott King Award, and a Newbery Honor. In his introduction to Black Heroes of the Wild West, Nelson writes, "It's time that we hear every American's story: from every background and creed, we've all worked together to weave the grand tapestry of America."