Black Cowboy, Wild Horses
1998 children's book by Julius Lester
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Black Cowboy, Wild Horses: A True Story is a 1998 children's picture book by Julius Lester and illustrator Jerry Pinkney. It is about an ex-slave and Black cowboy, Bob Lemmons, who, by himself, wrangles a herd of wild horses to a corral.
First edition cover of Black Cowboy, Wild Horses | |
| Author | Julius Lester |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Jerry Pinkney |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature, biography, picture book |
| Published | 1998 (Dial Press) |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardback) |
| Pages | 40 |
| ISBN | 9780803717879 |
| OCLC | 37107211 |
Reception
The Horn Book Magazine, in a review of Black Cowboy, wrote: "In vivid, poetic prose, Lester tells the tale of a uniquely talented man, cowboy Bob Lemmons. .. Pinkney's magnificent earth-toned paintings bring to life the wild beauty of the horses and the western plains, the dark drama of a nighttime thunderstorm, the fierce battle of the stallions", and concluded: "This latest collaboration evokes the legendary stature of one of these real men, as well as the majesty and romance of the Wild West."[1]
School Library Journal wrote: "Pinkney's pictures were never better, making it all the more unfortunate that text boxes cover some of the action. Lester's overuse of metaphor is also a drawback. Still, this book will inspire heavy-duty thinking on the part of young readers."[1] Booklist found that "Lester and Pinkney's manifest love and respect for the West and cowboys of color, whose contributions have been too long overlooked, distinguish their latest collaboration."[1]
Publishers Weekly gave the book a starred review, stating: "Notable for the light it sheds on a fascinating slice of Americana, this book is essential for anyone interested in the Wild West."[2]
Black Cowboy has also been reviewed by Kirkus Reviews,[3] and Parenting.[4]
Awards
- 1998 Parents Choice Story Books Award - Silver Honor[5]
