A graphic novel introducing three interesting people from the Wild West. I enjoyed reading about them and their adventures.

Goodreads Rating: 4 stars
NetGalley Rating: 5 stars

Western history has always fascinated me, but it has always struck me how difficult it is to find books (fiction or nonfiction) about minorities of any sort, especially black people, who lived in the Western frontier. This provides a great, if short, introduction to three black pioneers who went West and made a name for themselves delivering mail and building missions, hunting fugitives, and herding wild horses.

I had heard about Mary Fields briefly before from a friend, but I still learned some more facts about her from this books. Bob Lemmon and Bass Reeves I had never heard of before though, so this was a very enlightening introduction to them! There is also a brief historical section in the back with some great pictures.

This was much shorter than I expected it to be and I feel like the content of each biography could have gone deeper or wider, whether in the story telling, the historical, or both. Smith blends the historical facts with a vignette about each person’s life very smoothly and creates a very engaging setting, so I would love to have been able to read more!

Despite the short length, this is an excellent jumping off point for readers to learn that not all Wild West history is white, and that blacks played a vital role in helping to shape the new frontier.

Fantastic. We need more books like this. I think this would be an accessible book to expand student thinking in my elementary classroom. Definitely be looking out for more books like this and a [physical copy for ny classroom.

Devoured this book. It's everything a history book should be: fascinating, adventurous, informative. James Otis Taylor's graphic novel is engaging and sure to be loved by students. Plus, there's Kadir Nelson portraiture and primary source photos featuring Black, Indigenous and People of Color in the west during Reconstruction.

This graphic novel that tells the stories of three Black heroes of the wild west. They were each funny or interesting stories. More information is given at the back in bright graphically driven, way. Cool book.

This book was so fun and so educational. The author sets out to describe the diversity that existed in America’s history. The art work and historical photos was great. It was easy to read yet was packed with information. I feel like I sat through a history class. I first heard about this through Brenna on the What Should I Read Next podcast/Patreon group. I am so glad she recommended this. I will be handing this off to my children to read and have passed it and the wonderful book list at the end to a teacher friend. Thank you to Netgalley and Myrick Marketing/TOON Graphics for this free copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this historical graphic-novel that focused on Black Heroes of the Wild West with my two sons. Each chapter focused on a different historical character and highlighted their life and advancements in the Wild West. I also enjoyed the historical lessons included at the beginning and end of the graphic novel itself which included information, photos, and maps relevant to the history lesson.

Loved this graphic novel sharing new (to me) stories of strong Black men and women in wild, Wild West! The readability and colorful graphics make it accessible to many readers, but the information at the beginning and end of the book can engage more skilled readers as well. My only complaint is that I wish there were more accounts. The three in the book left me wanting more. I am sure my students would love to see this on the classroom library shelf!

Growing up in Colorado, I knew about Black cowboys, but I wasn't familiar with the three Smith highlights in this graphic history. My favorite was the story he share about Bass Reeves. The added historical information in the end is well presented. I like that he emphasizes not only Black contributions but also mentions other people of color who are often underrepresented in western history. A book kids will pick up for fun as well as for curriculum support.

Review based on an ARC received through NetGalley.

Thank you TOON books and NetGalley for this digital ARC.

I think the best thing I can say is I felt the book was too short. I wanted more about each of those people talked about in this book because the author makes learning their history so entrancing. I liked the infotainment found in this graphic novel and the extra pages of facts at the end were a welcome addition. A fun and great introduction to some, unfortunately, lesser known fascinating historical figures finally getting a larger spotlight.

This was a fast read, but informative nonetheless! It covers a few figures in black history and does it in a way that is engaging for any reader. Would definitely recommend, for kids but also adults who have an open mind!

There is so much history that is taught to us in school, that bypasses the minorities, and the women, and focuses on the White people. You may have heard the term of Buffalo Soldier from the song but you may not know the history of how Black men and women moved to the American West before and after the Civil War to live their lives.

This book covers three Black people that if you have never heard of them, you will wonder why. One, Bass Reeves, the first Black marshal west of the Mississippi, is thought to be the inspiration for the Lone Ranger.

Bob Lemmons, was a famous horse wrangler, and Mary Fields was one of two women, and the only Black woman, to drive the mail coach to deliver mail out in the west.

Done in graphic novel style first, then followed with further background second, this is an amazing book to learn more about the Black people and their existence in the wild west.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

While this book wasn't a favorite of mine, I really value that the author and publisher took on this story. This comic addresses three Black heroes around the time that the Wild West was big. It's so important to see outside of the curated white history that we often see in the United States and to hear Black stories from those time periods in which the often seem to be erased.