An engaging account of an uncommon outlaw.
Stagecoach robbers were common in the late 1800s, but Black Bart’s fame as a bandit derived from his gentlemanly ways.
In northern California, between 1875 and 1883, Black Bart robbed nearly 30 Wells Fargo stagecoaches without ever firing his gun. In fact, Black Bart never even loaded his gun for fear of hurting someone. He was almost unfailingly polite to those he robbed, had a sense of humor, and even left the occasional poem behind, signed “Black Bart the Po8.” Newspaper stories about the gentleman bandit’s exploits and about Jim Hume, the Wells Fargo chief detective who doggedly pursued him, made Black Bart a folk hero and provide grist for Finkelstein’s narrative. Black Bart enjoyed the chase and genially taunted his pursuer, asking one driver he robbed to give his regards to Hume. The detective used scientific methods to track down robbers, identifying patterns, using sophisticated interrogation techniques, and introducing ballistics to prove guilt, all of which is recounted in a lively narrative punctuated by archival illustrations (reinforcing the mistaken image of an all-white West) and the occasional sidebar to add further context. In addition to the colorful story of this bandit’s exploits and his pursuit, Finkelstein offers interesting insight into the importance of stagecoaches in communication and transportation and tells what it was like to be both a driver and passenger.
An engaging account of an uncommon outlaw. (source notes, bibliography) (Nonfiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Nov. 6, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-61373-995-2
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Review Posted Online: Aug. 13, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2018
A tragic, gripping, and inspiring story.
In 1979, 11-year-old Norman was the only survivor of a plane crash in Southern California: This is his true story.
This book for middle-grade readers, co-authored with Kiely, covers much of the same material as Ollestad’s 2009 memoir for adults, Crazy for the Storm. Flying in a four-seater Cessna with his father, his father’s girlfriend, Sandra, and the pilot, Norman was excited to reach Big Bear to receive his ski-racing trophy. (As a vivid example of his busy childhood, they’d driven the 300 miles there yesterday for Norman to compete—and then driven back to Topanga Canyon in the evening for his hockey game.) But the plane tragically crashed on a mountain in a blizzard. Nothing is sugarcoated; readers encounter graphic descriptions of the pilot and Norman’s dad, who died, and Sandra, who suffered a gaping head wound. Eventually accepting that he had to figure things out on his own, Norman drew upon the extreme training his father had put his “Boy Wonder” through—training that had bullied Norman into facing difficult physical and mental challenges that he feared and resented. During his trek to safety, Norman performed incredible mental and physical feats and encouraged the barely functioning Sandra—until she fell to her death. Norman’s conflicted feelings about the father he’d both idolized and resented are nuanced and satisfyingly resolved. Readers who enjoy nail-biting wilderness stories will be riveted.
A tragic, gripping, and inspiring story. (Nonfiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Oct. 28, 2025
ISBN: 9780374392611
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: Aug. 29, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2025
Full of laughter and sentiment, this is a nudge for readers to dare to try new things.
A 1989 summer trip to Europe changes Caldecott Medal winner Santat’s life in this graphic memoir.
Young Dan hasn’t experienced much beyond the small Southern California town he grew up in. He stays out of trouble, helps his parents, and tries to go unnoticed in middle school. That plan gets thwarted when he is made to recite poetry at a school assembly and is humiliated by his peers. When eighth grade is over and his parents send him on a three-week study abroad program, Dan isn’t excited at first. He’s traveling with girls from school whom he has awkward relationships with, his camera breaks, and he feels completely out of place. But with the help of some new friends, a crush, and an encouraging teacher, Dan begins to appreciate and enjoy the journey. Through experiences like his first taste of Fanta, first time hearing French rap, and first time getting lost on his own in a foreign country in the middle of the night, he finally begins to feel comfortable just being himself and embracing the unexpected. This entertaining graphic memoir is a relatable story of self-discovery. Flashbacks to awkward memories are presented in tones of blue that contrast with the full-color artwork through which Santat creates the perfect balance of humor and poignancy. The author’s note and photos offer readers more fun glimpses into his pivotal adventure.
Full of laughter and sentiment, this is a nudge for readers to dare to try new things. (Graphic memoir. 10-14)Pub Date: Feb. 28, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-250-85104-8
Page Count: 320
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: Nov. 28, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2022
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