The True West: Real Stories About Black Cowboys, Women Sharpshooters, Native American Rodeo Stars, Pioneering Vaqueros, and the Unsung Explorers, Builders, and Heroes Who Shaped the American West

by Mifflin Lowe, Wiliam Luong (Illustrator)

Overview

A 2021 Notable Social Studies Trade Book from the Children's Book Council and National Council for the Social Studies

"Especially and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library American History collections for young readers."—Midwest Book Review

"A strong addition to social studies and literacy curricula."—Amina Chaudhri, Booklist

“Full of awesome pictures and rich with historic info every kid (and their parents) should learn.”—Red Tricycle, Best New Books of 2020, According to Our Kids

Did you know that the Lone Ranger was likely inspired by a black cowboy? Or that some of the most famous sharpshooters in the West were women? Or how a Native American rodeo star could ride even a buffalo? These are no tall tales! In fact, historians estimate that 1 in 4 cowboys were actually black, latino, or Native American-or even women! So saddle up for a tour of the Wild West with some of history's most unsung heroes and discover how the great Western story is really everyone's story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781733633512
Publisher:	Bushel & Peck Books
Publication date:	06/02/2020
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	129,171
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	1160L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 11 Years

About the Author

Wiliam is an illustrator and graphic designer. He graduated from Dong Nai College of Decorative Arts as one of the top students in his class.

Bestselling author, singer, songwriter, and musician Mifflin Lowe has had nine books published, selling over 300,000 copies in six languages. His books include a children's poetry book, Beasts By The Bunches (Doubleday), and three humor books for adults: The Cheapskate's Handbook, I Hate Fun, and How To Be A Celebrity (Price/Stern/Sloan.) He has also performed his music for family audiences from New England to New Orleans, presenting works from his children's CDs: The King Who Forgot His Underpants, Cowboy Kareem, Wilton Wilberry's Magical Holiday Wishing Well, Cat Tales, and Beasts By The Bunches (Caedmon/Harper& Row). Recently, his animated film script, The Adventures of Cowboy Kareem, won the blue ribbon prize in the Sarasota Film Office TV/ME competition, beating out over 800 entrants from 28 states.

Editorial Reviews

"The True West is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library American History collections for young readers." —Midwest Book Review

"Mifflin Lowe's True West displays the multi-faceted experience of Western culture through its many diverse and iconic characters. Whether cowboy, stage performer, or arbiter of the law, these stories will allow the reader to see America through a new lens revealing education and insight for all ages!" —DOM FLEMONS, The American Songster, Grammy-Award Winning Folksinger

"In this useful, informative book, more than two dozen men and women from a range of racial, cultural, and geographic backgrounds are recognized for their roles in the construction of American society during westward expansion. … While racism, sexism, and anti-Semitism are among a few of the social ills that the book exposes, colorful illustrations balance the textbook tone. A strong addition to social studies and literacy curricula." —Amina Chaudhri, Booklist

“…brightly illustrated…Engaging, full of awesome pictures and rich with historic info every kid (and their parents) should learn.” –Red Tricycle, Best New Books of 2020, According to Our Kids

From the Publisher

06/01/2020

Gr 4–6—Ever heard of Bass Reeves, Mamie Francis Hafley, Fox Hastings, or Henry O. Flipper? These names may not be as familiar as others spotlighted in this book (Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok), but Lowe's intention, as indicated in the book's lengthy subtitle, is to showcase diverse historical figures "from every race, gender, and ethnicity" who contributed to the development of the West. Eighteen fascinating individuals are each portrayed in a two-page spread that includes biographical information, a somewhat stylized portrait, a photograph of the person (if available), and related facts. Readers learn that Flipper was the first African American to graduate from West Point in 1877 and that Hastings ran away from a convent when she was 16 and became a famous rodeo star. Hafley was known for the incredible daredevil tricks she did while riding her horse; Bass Reeves was a pragmatic Black lawman who captured and arrested more than 3,000 criminals. Other pages provide information about collective groups and topics, such as the Buffalo Soldiers, the Chinese railroad workers, wagon trains, and traditions started by Mexican cowboys, all of which are more broadly addressed. However, pertinent historical events such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 are not addressed. Additional resources and extensive art and photo credits are included. The colorful, attractive layout is not too busy, and the artwork is vibrant. VERDICT A mixed bag of interesting, underrepresented historical figures and facts about the establishment of the American West. A good starting point for students curious about early Western frontier life.—Maggie Chase, Boise State Univ., ID

School Library Journal

2020-03-25
Women and men on horseback fought, explored, performed in rodeos, enforced laws, and helped to shape the American West.

In his author’s note, Lowe states that he intends to celebrate “a shared history of the American West,” which was “a melting pot every bit as much as the cities of the East Coast.” In spite of their suffering, and dealing with “unbelievable conditions and national scorn,” Native Americans, African Americans, Chinese Americans, and Latinx people “helped create the country that we live in today.” What follows are capsule entries on cowboys and cowgirls from the previously mentioned backgrounds. Each is accompanied by a colorful, full-page portrait of the person, often with a big smile. Also included are pages on dress, Chinese railroad workers, and buffalo soldiers. The entry for Levi Strauss does not mention his Judaism, but it is followed by a two-page spread on Jews. The information on the Chinese railroad workers states that they “were genuine heroes who helped make this country a better place to live,” but this statement lacks information on and sensitivity to Indigenous peoples, and there is no mention of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Also, the article on rodeo star Fox Hastings tells readers that she was not only a “true beauty,” but also a “genuine daredevil”—leaving them to ponder if the two are otherwise mutually exclusive.

A history that excels at admiration but fails at overall accuracy. (further reading) (Nonfiction. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews