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

Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons by James Otis Smith is a nonfiction graphic novel currently scheduled for release on September 15 2020. This book 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.

Black Heroes of the Wild West is a great start, or continuation, of learning the diverse history of he United States. Much of the history that includes people of color has been ignored or twisted, leaving us with an incomplete and sometimes very incorrect vision of what our past really looked like. I had read bits and pieces of the history included in this book before, but I found the information and artwork to be very well done and engaging for readers of all ages. It was inspiring to read about the odds these three people faced, and how they persevered and exceeded the expectations of those around them, particularly those that judged them based on race, gender, or both. I also liked the time line and further information about the history of cowboys and how people from a variety of heritages and cultures made a huge difference, and have been left out of much of the history we get taught in school and the most readily available texts. 

Black Heroes of the Wild West is a graphic novel that I highly recommend for public, school, and classroom libraries. It is very well done, and offers a look at real history that often gets ignored. I will be looking for more books like this for myself and my children. 

Book Review: Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford, Eric Velasquez

Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library was written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Eric Velasquez. Amid the scholars, poets, authors, and artists of the Harlem Renaissance stood an Afro–Puerto Rican named Arturo Schomburg. This law clerk’s life’s passion was to collect books, letters, music, and art from Africa and the African diaspora and bring to light the achievements of people of African descent through the ages. When Schomburg’s collection became so big it began to overflow his house (and his wife threatened to mutiny), he turned to the New York Public Library, where he created and curated a collection that was the cornerstone of a new Negro Division. A century later, his groundbreaking collection, known as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, has become a beacon to scholars all over the world.

Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library is a wonderful look at the work and dreams of Schomburg. He did not want to discover the history and accomplishments that are often whitewashed from history for his own sake. As much as he loved the research, collecting, and learning he also loved teaching and sharing this information with others. I really enjoyed reading about poets, musicians, and activists that I did not know about (or know the whole story of). More importantly it inspired me to do more of my own research, and hopefully arrange a trip to the New York Public library to see this collection in person.  While some might find the book a little text heavy, I cannot imagine what could be cut out of the story without losing interesting and important information. In fact, there is so much more that could have been included that I think there was a good balance. The art did a good job of matching the text and keeping my interest. I think this would be a great addition particularly for school and library collections. It would be a great discussion starter and would also be a fantastic choice for inspiring student to research people that might not have received the recognition they deserve for their accomplishments.

Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library  is a wonderful read and I highly recommend it.