Bad News for Outlaws, The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshall, by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson. Illustrations by R. Gregory Christie

Bad News for Outlaws, The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshall, by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, Illustrations by R. Gregory Christie, ISBN # 978-0-8225-6764-6

This newly published picture book, a winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, is first and foremost visually striking. Some pages are sepia toned, making the book look old. Other pages are full-page paintings, with the print nicely combined with the paintings.

The author does a thorough job of presenting Bass Reeves life. The book includes a time-line of Bass Reeves’ life as well as a glossary of western terms.

Bass Reeves was an African American Deputy Marshal in Indian Territory. He was both loved and hated in his pursuit of justice, and he did a very effective job. The author did a good job in describing Bass Reeves’ character.

This book was thoroughly researched, and has quite a lengthy bibliography. The book also offers jumping off points for further research.

I see this book as a good candidate for reluctant readers for a few of reasons. First, the subject (an African American Deputy Marshal) is unusual and could spurn a lot of interest in male readers. Secondly, there isn’t much print on each page, which serves as another inducement for reluctant readers. Finally, this book is visually striking. The characters seem to leap off the page.

This book isn’t just any picture book, but a picture book for older readers, especially tweens.