Buffalo Soldiers and the American West

Graphic Library: Graphic History

by Jason Glaser, Charles Barnett III (Illustrator), Tod Smith (Illustrator)

Tells the story of the African American soldiers known as the Buffalo Soldiers, who fought against American Indians and protected the Western Frontier of the United States. Written in graphic-novel format.

Genres: History, Graphic Novels, Childrens, Nonfiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Ms. Arca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. This history is personal and dear to me, along with being an ESSENTIAL part (and story) in our country's history that rarely ever gets told..

I love that it is shown in a format that is dynamic and accessible to all kinds of readers.

In addition, I love that the author considers multiple points of view.. Highlighting points in speech bubbles or otherwise from the soldiers, American Indians, and white guys calling the shots..

A tough history to come to terms with but an influential group of men (and woman) who shaped our history!

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative! I don't know if I really knew enough about the Buffalo Soldiers and now I have a grasp on all that they contributed, even in the face of discrimination but they proved their grit time and time again.

The illustrations compliment the story. It's not overly busy on any page or in any panel clearing the way for information to be shared.

[Becca Buckman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Buffalo Soldiers and the American West written by Jason Glaser with illustrations by Tod Smith and Charles Barnett III is a great representation of the brave African American soldiers known as the Buffalo Soldiers. As we know, segregation was highly contagious and common in America during the 1800’s, however, when the people of America needed help the African Americans were there to answer the call. During the late 1800’s Americans were expanding their land out west but soon become entangled with trouble and war from the American Indians. Throughout the years, the Buffalo Soldiers spent countless hours performing brave missions to help save the American people and the country. This story was told using the graphic novel format.

a.) I truly enjoyed reading this tale because of the great emphasis it placed on the highly over-looked African American soldiers from America’s past.

b.) Very few books and stories are written about the Buffalo Soldiers. With their extraordinary use of imagery and text, the author and illustrator did a great job depicting the feelings and hardships each solider encountered during the time of war. Pictures representing the soldiers on pages 8-9 show fear, exhaustion, sadness and punishment. The language written on page 16 through the quote “Many of their (the Buffalo Soldiers) rescues were never written down. Still, the Buffalo Soldiers became famous for showing up in the nick of time” provide a great look into the depreciation many Americans felt for the courageous soldiers during that time (p.16).

c.) Many more examples are seen throughout the story. For example, although “poor treatment, food and housing made many soldiers ill…many refused to quit” (p. 9). In addition, the heroic men “arrested outlaws on the prairies of the Great Plains, chased Mexican bandits through the deserts of the Southwest, delivered mail through frigid Midwest winters and tracked Indian warriors under the heat of the Texas sun” (p. 18-19). The Buffalo Soldiers helped give America its freedom and saved many American citizens along the way.

I hope to not sound too cliché, but this story can bring so much to any classroom across the United States. Historical facts are presented throughout the story, great pictures can help the students understand the adversity so many faced years ago, while the information presented through the text provide for many different activities and lessons for discussion and learning. In my own classroom, I would use this book when discussing the expansion out west to tell the story so few hear about-the story of the Buffalo Soldiers. Students will use the facts listed throughout the story to prepare a presentation about the Buffalo Soldiers to bring more attention to the important cause.

[Dawn Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just fantastic. This book is exciting, informative and visually stimulating. It tracks the journey of the African American Soldier from the Civil War. After the Civil War African American Soldiers were gathered together and trained to serve out West and manage the Native Americans where they were given the name "Buffalo Soldiers". After they were no longer needed in the West, they fought next to Teddy Roosevelt in the Spanish American War where their reputation of being excellent soldiers increased. Still the soldiers were segregated from their fellow white soldiers. It was not until the Korean War that the Buffalo Soldiers were disbanded and mixed in with the other soldiers. The history of these soldiers spans around 100 years and is steeped in hard work, the desire for respect and success.
This book also includes sections in the back on the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, helpful websites, other books to explore on the same topic and a glossary.

[Jesse Macicak · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is on the Fulmore reading list, but it is incredibly short and it is a comic book. Why would they put this on the 8th grade reading list? I learned a little bit from it, like why they are called Buffalo Soldiers.

[Denae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simplified history of the Buffalo Soldiers- an excellent introduction for elementary and middle school students.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5