What do you think?
Rate this book
Bessie Smith and the Night Riders
Even though she can’t afford a ticket to see the great blues singer Bessie Smith perform, Emmarene listens outside Bessie’s tent—that is, until she bursts into the show to warn the crowd: The Night Riders have come! Bessie marches right outside and confronts the Night Riders by giving one of her famous low moans that says, "I may be down and out, but I ain’t gonna take it no more." But will that be enough to scare them off?
Based on a true incident, Bessie Smith and the Night Riders is a powerful story of facing down danger and standing up for what’s right. With John Holyfield’s luminous paintings setting the stage, readers will be cheering for Bessie and Emmarene all the way to their final bow.
Based on a true incident, Bessie Smith and the Night Riders is a powerful story of facing down danger and standing up for what’s right. With John Holyfield’s luminous paintings setting the stage, readers will be cheering for Bessie and Emmarene all the way to their final bow.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 5, 2006
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 8, 2010
I read this book because it was based on a true event that happened outside of my hometown of Concord, NC. I found the author's note at the end of the story, which told the actual facts o the event, to be more fascinating than the actual story. Also, the wording seems like the book was written for kindergarten aged children, when the subject seems to be for children no younger than 5th grade.
July 20, 2022
I love Bessie Smith, I love this story, and I think Sue Stauffacher's framing of the story and John Holyfield's art work very well together.
December 10, 2019
Bessie Smith is one of the most compelling individuals from an era full of remarkable people. Library shelves are crying out for more quality biographies on this amazing woman. This is the only decent treatment I have found and focuses on one of the most sensational stories in Bessie's career: the time she backed down a posse of Klansmen bent on violently disrupting a well-attended performance she was giving. The picture book fictionalizes the story by inserting a young girl as narrator, but happily adds an afterword the establishes what the true events were. A great start and a good read-aloud, now we just need a couple more that capture the revolutionary nature of her music and the LGBT aspects of her identity. (1920's, best selling performer, lesbian love song "dirty but good" - obviously needs some editing for the elementary school crowd, but there is a story there that shifts our understanding of the past that needs to be told.)
November 8, 2009
Grade/Interest Level: 2-4
Even though she can't afford a ticket to see the great blues singer Bessie Smith perform, Emmarene listens outside Bessie's tent—that is, until she bursts into the show to warn the crowd:The Night Riders have come! Bessie marches right outside and confronts the Night Riders by giving one of her famous low moans that says, "I may be down and out, but I ain't gonna take it no more." But will that be enough to scare them off?
This historical fiction account based on a true event occurring in the South was the product of the author's research. Its picture book format is full of bold, colorful illustrations that bring the scenes to life for young readers, and capture the courage it must have taken for Bessie Smith to stand up to the KKK that night. In a writing style sensitive to young readers, it introduces them to a difficult time period in America's past. Once criticism is that the readers may leave the story with a sense that good prevailed over evil and they all lived happily ever after, while this is certainly not reality. In any case, Bessie Smith is a symbol of courage and standing up for oneself, which are powerful messages to present to students.
Even though she can't afford a ticket to see the great blues singer Bessie Smith perform, Emmarene listens outside Bessie's tent—that is, until she bursts into the show to warn the crowd:The Night Riders have come! Bessie marches right outside and confronts the Night Riders by giving one of her famous low moans that says, "I may be down and out, but I ain't gonna take it no more." But will that be enough to scare them off?
This historical fiction account based on a true event occurring in the South was the product of the author's research. Its picture book format is full of bold, colorful illustrations that bring the scenes to life for young readers, and capture the courage it must have taken for Bessie Smith to stand up to the KKK that night. In a writing style sensitive to young readers, it introduces them to a difficult time period in America's past. Once criticism is that the readers may leave the story with a sense that good prevailed over evil and they all lived happily ever after, while this is certainly not reality. In any case, Bessie Smith is a symbol of courage and standing up for oneself, which are powerful messages to present to students.
August 13, 2017
Emmarene idolizes the great jazz singer Bessie Smith. But when she can't afford a ticket to Bessie's show in her hometown, she decides to go anyway and listen outside the tent. On the night of the show, Emmarene pokes her head through the tent so she can not only hear, but see the glamorous singer strut around in her feather boa. Soon, however, Emmarene notices some nefarious figures on horses, dressed in white sheets, carrying torches. The Night Riders, otherwise known as the Ku Klux Klan, have come to sabotage Bessie's show!
No longer worried someone might catch her without a ticket, Emmarene bursts into the show to warn everyone of the Night Riders outside. While others cower in fear, bold and brazen Bessie marches right outside and confronts the men on horseback, not only scaring them off with her words, but with her powerful singing voice.
Read my entire review on my blog.
No longer worried someone might catch her without a ticket, Emmarene bursts into the show to warn everyone of the Night Riders outside. While others cower in fear, bold and brazen Bessie marches right outside and confronts the men on horseback, not only scaring them off with her words, but with her powerful singing voice.
Read my entire review on my blog.
Read
October 19, 2016Even though she can't afford a ticket to see the great blues singer Bessie Smith perform, Emmarene listens outside Bessie's tent--that is, until she bursts into the show to warn the crowd:The Night Riders have come! Bessie marches right outside and confronts the Night Riders by giving one of her famous low moans that says, "I may be down and out, but I ain't gonna take it no more." But will that be enough to scare them off ?
Based on a true incident, Bessie Smith and the Night Riders is a powerful story of facing down danger and standing up for what's right. With John Holyfield's luminous paintings setting the stage, readers will be cheering for Bessie and Emmarene all the way to their final bow.
Subject: Blues (Music) -- Juvenile fiction.
African Americans -- Juvenile fiction
Racism -- Juvenile fiction
Subject:
Smith, Bessie, 1894-1937-Juvenile fiction.
Corporate Subject: Ku Klux Klan (1915- ) -- Juvenile fiction.
Geographic Term:
North Carolina -- Juvenile fiction.
Based on a true incident, Bessie Smith and the Night Riders is a powerful story of facing down danger and standing up for what's right. With John Holyfield's luminous paintings setting the stage, readers will be cheering for Bessie and Emmarene all the way to their final bow.
Subject: Blues (Music) -- Juvenile fiction.
African Americans -- Juvenile fiction
Racism -- Juvenile fiction
Subject:
Smith, Bessie, 1894-1937-Juvenile fiction.
Corporate Subject: Ku Klux Klan (1915- ) -- Juvenile fiction.
Geographic Term:
North Carolina -- Juvenile fiction.
July 24, 2012
G.P. Putnam's Sons
2006
Sue Stauffacher
John Holyfield
30 pages
Multicultural
This story made me think of a Disney movie. I cannot recall the title of the movie at the moment; it was the one that was based in New Orleans and the main character of the movie had to work really hard for everything she got. In the end, she got the restaurant she wanted and the man of her dreams. This book reminds me of that because the little girl was doing everything she could to see Bessie Smith (famous singer from the 1920s). When Emmarene (young girl) finally got the chance to see Bessie Smith, the Night Riders (KKK) were threatening the entire tent filled with African Americans who came out to hear Bessie Smith sing. The young girl and the singer come out to be the victors.
This story reminds me that good does prevail evil. I loved the story and would highly recommend it to any aged reader.
2006
Sue Stauffacher
John Holyfield
30 pages
Multicultural
This story made me think of a Disney movie. I cannot recall the title of the movie at the moment; it was the one that was based in New Orleans and the main character of the movie had to work really hard for everything she got. In the end, she got the restaurant she wanted and the man of her dreams. This book reminds me of that because the little girl was doing everything she could to see Bessie Smith (famous singer from the 1920s). When Emmarene (young girl) finally got the chance to see Bessie Smith, the Night Riders (KKK) were threatening the entire tent filled with African Americans who came out to hear Bessie Smith sing. The young girl and the singer come out to be the victors.
This story reminds me that good does prevail evil. I loved the story and would highly recommend it to any aged reader.
March 5, 2014
Emmarene is enthralled when blues singer Bessie Smith comes to town in her huge train car for a performance. That evening Bessie and her crew pitch a tent and get ready to perform, poor Emmarene can't afford a ticket so she listens from the outside. In addition to Bessie singing, Emmarene hears the sound of meddling klansmen. Emmarene goes in to warn Bessie of the arising trouble and Bessie stops her show to boldly confront the klansmen. This book could definitely open up a study abou the Ku Klux Klan and the types of troubles they caused; this story could also be examined in terms of how dangerous Bessie's response was considering the times. To discuss a broader issue students could discuss a time they might have stood up to a powerful or dangerous person/group.
February 10, 2011
My favorite thing about this book is that it's based on a true story: singer Bessie Smith met a group of Ku Klux Klansmen head-on, challenged them, and survived. Not only did she survive, she stood her ground and the Klan retreated. Although I can't verify it, I'd venture to say that didn't happen very often.
Vibrant illustrations breathe life into the story. Share this with the children in your life, then follow it with a discussion on the importance of standing for what's right even, when it's difficult, inconvenient, or frightening. Bessie Smith deserves to be remembered by our children.
Vibrant illustrations breathe life into the story. Share this with the children in your life, then follow it with a discussion on the importance of standing for what's right even, when it's difficult, inconvenient, or frightening. Bessie Smith deserves to be remembered by our children.
June 1, 2011
In Bessie Smith and the Night Riders, author Sue Stauffacher changes one significant detail in the true story of the encounter between "Empress of the Blues" Bessie Smith and the Ku Klux Klan-- adding a child, Emmarene Johnson, who witnesses, takes part in, and tells the story. John Holyfield's vivid paintings don't rely on historical details in the backgrounds, but capture Bessie Smith's spirit of vitality. It's a story of danger, bravery and standing up for oneself, to inspire any kid.
Read
October 8, 2012Emmarene is a young girl who is excited to hear that Bessie Smith is coming to town. Despite her enthusiasm to see the singer, she is unable to pay to watch her perform. Yet Emmarene is persistent in her attempts in seeing the performing and decides she will sneak a peek into the tent they traveled with. And it is a good thing. Emmarene is able to warn everyone in the tent that the KKK is coming. The fear fills everyone but Bessie Smith isn't going to take it. This story depicts the courage of a girl and a woman as they stand up to the KKK.
December 1, 2008
grades 3-5
historical fiction
civil and human rights/race/segregation
metaphor/simile/rhyme/rhythm/from child's perspective/strong text&illustration interaction/colorful
tension,heroism, and cultural language
standing up for what is right
1927 Harlem Frolics(blues music group) travels the south in their own train and performs. the kkk tries to burn down the performance gathering and Bessie stands up to them. based on true story
historical fiction
civil and human rights/race/segregation
metaphor/simile/rhyme/rhythm/from child's perspective/strong text&illustration interaction/colorful
tension,heroism, and cultural language
standing up for what is right
1927 Harlem Frolics(blues music group) travels the south in their own train and performs. the kkk tries to burn down the performance gathering and Bessie stands up to them. based on true story
March 9, 2009
The pictures in this book are beautiful and I really liked the moral of the story but I wish it wasn't so oversimplified. Even though it is a kids picture book I felt like the author could have told more of the "truth" without necessarily doing all of this sugarcoating.
February 10, 2011
Love this book - based on a true story that involved singer Bessie Smith facing down the Ku Klux Klan. Wonderful illustrations and an excellent classroom read.
February 24, 2012
Wonderful, true story. Bessie Smith is my hero!
March 2, 2012
This is a great story, based on true events. Lessons can be learned by this one. Bessie Smith is awesome!
May 5, 2013
Great story based on a true event; good for discussing standing up to bullies
October 7, 2013
While I was reading this story, I kept asking myself "Did this really happen?"
Want to Read
January 7, 2016MM's Review:
Blues Music
Blues Music
Read
February 10, 2016Children's picture book about how the Empress of the Blues single-handedly fought off the Klan one night during a performance - loosely based on true stories!
February 20, 2016
This was a wonderful book. The illustrations were beautiful and the true story of Bessie Smith was captured in a kid-friendly way. Great story for read-alouds when studying history and biographies.
December 28, 2009
Not just for children. Interesting story, well-written and illustrated.
March 11, 2012
Loved this book and gave a copy to a friend, whose two boys reportedly gave it a big thumbs up.
February 12, 2015
In which Bessie Smith, greatest blues musician ever, tells the KKK to go fuck off. QUEEN.
Read
February 28, 2019Love the art, so adorable and saturated. While fine, it's a pity the story doesn't have the same impact as the true version.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews