Simeon's Story: An Eyewitness Account of the Kidnapping of Emmett Till

by Simeon Wright, Herb Boyd

No modern tragedy has had a greater impact on race relations in America than the kidnapping and murder of Emmett Till. A 14-year-old black boy from Chicago visiting relatives in Mississippi in 1955, Till was taken from his uncle’s home by two white men; several days later, his body was found in the Tallahatchie River. This grotesque crime became the catalyst for the civil rights movement. At age 12, author Simeon Wright saw and heard his cousin Emmett whistle at a white woman at a grocery store; he was sleeping in the same bed with him when Emmett was taken; and he was at the sensational trial. This is his gripping coming-of-age memoir.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, True Crime, Memoir, Crime, African American, Historical

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simeon Wright, Emmett Till's cousin, recounts his life in Mississippi and Chicago. Simeon was one of the few witnesses to Till's abduction and the events that led up to it. He clears up some of the myths surrounding the crime and also provides an update to the murder and kidnapping investigation which was reopened in recent years, but ended without indictment. Herb Boyd is credited as a co-writer for integrating additional facts into Simeon's story. There's nothing fancy about the writing, but the story itself is compelling and well-told.

[Pennyjo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Mississippi in the 1950s, when I was coming of age, was just like Mississippi in the 1860s, when the Ku Klux Klan and night riders were part of our daily lives."

For twelve year old Simeon Wright, this was the only way of life he knew. Growing up in the South was hard. But for his cousin, Bobo, who was visiting for the summer from Chicago, this way of life was unacceptable. He wondered why they put up with it. Until the night that two white men broke into their house and kidnapped Bobo for being disrespectful to a white woman. Days later Bobo, otherwise known as Emmett Till, was found floating dead in the area's river. His death changed the course of all of their lives and became a starting point for the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. This story is told from the point of view of an eyewitness to these events and is powerful.

This is a book which should be included on school book lists across the nation. It tells of the senseless death of a person when others thought they were powerful enough to live above the law. This book will grace my classroom book shelf and will probably become part of my literary curriculum.

[Riegs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simeon's Story may be one of the most difficult books I've ever read. Simeon Wright was the cousin of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old boy murdered by white supremacists. Mr. Wright describes the actual event, and how its aftermath haunted both him and his family in the following years.

Wright's narrative is very simple and straightforward, but I left this book feeling like my heart and my lungs were crushed. I can't imagine carrying such rage and grief inside for a whole life, just as much as it kills me inside to think that 14-year-old boys are sentenced to death for the stupidest reasons. The chapter that actually describes the moment that Emmett Till was kidnapped from the Wright home should be read in every American classroom - and I did indeed share it in mine.

Teachers and Librarians, make this memoir a critical first-person text in your dialogues on the long-term, shattering effects of racism.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I study the Emmett Till story the most telling part of this book for me was that Simeon was there and thus would know what truly happened and didn't happen as far as what lead to the kidnapping and death of Emmett. I was shocked that events have been taking place in recent years and I somehow have not heard of them. The till bill, the bill allowing cold case civil right files to be looked at and hopefully solved being one of those events. Time for more education on civil rights and the story of Emmett Till. Thankful that Simeon told his story.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm an aging white male, born and raised in Mississippi. I was seven years old when Emmett Till was murdered. Reading Simeon Wright's account of his cousin's murder fifty-six years ago reawakens a jumble of images and feelings from my childhood, and puts my life and especially my origins in perspective.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the straight forward approach Wright took in declaring everything he knew before, during, and after the death of Emmett "Bobo" Till, since Wright was there when Till whistled at the white woman and there in the house when he was taken by two men from their house on a visit from Chicago to Mississippi. It truly is Simeon's story.

There aren't gratuitous details nor is there a pity party, just the facts. It's about the Jim Crow south, it's about growing up black, it was about "playing by the rules" and the fact that their family suffered endlessly during and after the death because even with the turmoil of the Civil Rights movement, there was still much fear, especially since neither was convicted of anything.

A great connection with Common Core about perspective/voice.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A memoir by Emmett Till's cousin who offers a powerful portrait of life in Jim Crow-era Mississippi and offers an eyewitness account of the events leading up to and including his cousin's abduction.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful and very interesting. Bought for my school library. Great non-fiction for middle grade readers!

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another possibility for my classroom. It was interesting to learn first hand details about who Emmett Till was as a person. As his cousin, Simeon had a very personal account of what happened that tragic night in 1955. That being said, the editor did little to organize or revise Simeon's words. While this book certainly retains Simeon's voice, it can also include extraneous details and be hard to follow at times. This one doesn't make the cut for my class.

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and simply told eyewitness account of the kidnapping and murder of Emmett Till, a 14 year old boy from Chicago. Emmett was Simeon's cousin, and he was visiting Simeon in Mississippi when he was taken out of Simeon's own bed in the middle of the night, brutally beaten, and dumped in a river, all for whistling at a white woman. Simeon was witness to the "incident" at the store with Mrs. Bryant, was there the night Emmett was taken, and was in the witness room waiting to be called to testify at court. Simeon does a great job explaining how this event not only helped to shape the larger civil rights movement, but also impacted the rest of his life. The all-white jury's decision to declare his murderers not guilty, even after eye witness testimony from multiple sources and the defendants own admission that they had taken Emmett (although they didn't admit to the murder), forever damaged Simeon and his family's sense of justice. Mr. Wright is not an author by trade and the writing is nothing fancy, but the story is an important one and the book well worth it for anyone who doesn't know much about this case or wants to learn more about an event that many Civil Rights leaders cited as an inspiration to fight back against violence and injustice.

[Luisa Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Born in 1941, Emmett Till would be 20 years older than me if he’d been allowed to live. But the Black teen had offended the sensibilities of small town Mississippi in 1955 by whistling at a White woman. It didn’t matter that he was only 14. It didn’t matter that he was from Chicago and didn’t understand how different the rules in the South were. He was taken from his bedroom in the middle of the night. His tortured body was found later with a face so badly mutilated that the ring of his deceased father which he always wore helped to identify him. Adding insult to injury, the men who did it, the men who’d abducted and murdered a fourteen year old boy, were found not guilty by an all-white jury. This version of the story is told by an eyewitness, Emmett’s cousin Simeon, who was in the room that horrible night. Simeon’s descriptions of the crushing racism prior to and after the incident provide insight to a time and place that would allow and even condone this atrocity, and he corrects falsehoods about it that have circulated for decades. Excellent nonfiction read, especially if you have some familiarity with the Civil Rights Movement.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If you want an accurate account of any story, go to the primary source. They know what really happened." (p.137) This quote by Simeon Wright sums up the story of this novel. Simeon's Story written by Simeon Wright and Herb Boyd details Simeon Wright's cousin Emmett "Bobo" Till's kidnap and murder for whistling at a white woman in a grocery store in Mississippi in 1955. Simeon's story gives a detailed account about being black and dealing with segregation, Jim Crow Laws and the Ku Klux Klan in the south of the 1950's. This grotesque crime became the catalyst for the Civil Rights movement. Simeon who was an eyewitness to the event clears up some of the myths surrounding the crime and provides updates to the murder and kidnapping investigation. There is nothing fancy about the writing its down to earth and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Its a shame the crime happened. Its and excellent read that's based on a first hand account and personal tribute to the legacy of Emmett Till.

[Larita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised at how well he remembered everything. It was a short book, and a good read. My mom was born the same year as Emmett Til in Sumner, Mississippi. She wasnt raised there. This could have been her. My grandma probably knew Mamie...they were the same age. My grandparents and lots of other family migrated to Chicago and they are both buried in Burr Oak Cemetery,where Emmett Till was buried.

This story kept me in tears. Too close for comfort.It was very good reading for me to get a feel for the setting during that time. The last thing is that I discovered that was that our family plantation (Sturdivant) was where Emmett Till was murdered. In the seed barn. I placed a picture of it on our family page. That was beyond sobering.

We went to visit the area and saw the museum they named in his honor. The area is very small, quiet and very rural. Fields and fields of cotton. I realize why my grandparents migrated and wish they were here to discuss what happened. They probably had information or at least heard some of the stories.I am now reading the Secret Witness.

[Janie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book finally tells the story of what happened that fateful night that 14-year-old, Emmett (Bobo) Till was taken from the home of his relatives in Money, Mississippi and was never seen alive again. His body was found floating in the river nearby with a gunshot wound to his head. Though a trial took place charging the white men (who witnesses saw take him from the home) were found innocent.
The book, written by Simeon Wright, Bobo's cousin tells the story how he remembers it. He clears up common misconceptions and talks candidly about the ordeal which still weighs heavily on him today. The facts are interesting and kept my interest, but I found the writing somewhat dull. It could have been so much better. While I'm sure he didn't want to sensationalize the events, they could have been written with better word choice and urgency as the first-hand account of the subject deserves.
All in all, an interesting read, which I would recommend even for students.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was on my battle of the books list. It was the last book left so i picked it. This is one of the few nonfiction book that I actually liked. it had soo much detail and it alwys kept you on your toes. I read th ewhole book cover to cover, for real, in 2 hours because I counldn't put it down. I have learned alot and my teacher and I actually have something to talk about. I feel though that it was a little horrifing when i Looked up more and was glad they didn't have any picture of how they found emmit's body. Great book and people should read it even though it is about murders. You shouldn't judge books like that.

[marcus miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written for younger readers Simeon's Story is told by Simeon Wright a cousin of Emmett Till. Wright does an excellent job describing what life was like for many African-Americans living in the deep South during the 1950's. This makes it a valuable resource, supplementing what is available in most textbooks. Wright then tells the story of Till's abduction and the trial which followed. His reflections on the lack of justice and the unfairness of the judicial system strike a chord given the recent verdict in the Trayvon Martin case.

[Mike Kabongo · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only complaint about this book is that it isn't long enough.

Simeon Wright plainly, and unbiasedly tells his part and memory of a dark, dark period of American history. Life in the Mississippi Delta in 1955 was precarious even if you'd grown up their and knew all the rules, Simeon Wright's cousin from Chicago didn't, and his life ended in the delta floating down the Tallahatchie river wired to a fan for whistling at a white woman.
Well told, good use of pictures and no grandstanding.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read so many books about Emmett Till and this is by far the best one.
Why - The simple, straightforward accounting of the events as experienced by Simeon Wright. The only motive was to tell in his words what honestly happened. There are no added filler words to extend the book.
I felt the sadness and hurt of Mr. Wright and I applaud him for having the courage and sincerity to
document his story.
Please read, this is a short but powerful book.
Thank you

[Cynthia Sillitoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly profound and honest. It clears up a lot of conflicting stories. In some ways, I wish it were a longer book. I would have liked to have gone deeper, known more about his life after, but it is definitely an extremely important book. I don't expect revisions to current histories, but I hope future historians will take the time to listen to an actual witness.

[Briggitte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. It was a simple book from someone who was there when it happened. It got to the point, told the truth, and took you through the personal journey of the author, Simeon Wright, at the time that all of this happened. The personal closeness you feel to the story makes it all the more impactful.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simeon gives a clear and truthful account of the kidnapping and murder of Emmett Till. I went through a range of motions while reading this book. This book gripped me from the beginning and I could not put this down until I finish reading. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what happen to Emmett Till in Mississippi in August 1955.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of Emmett Till's kidnapping and killing told by Emmett's cousin, the son of Moses Wright, who testified at the trial and identified the killers. Emmett's cousin was at the store when Emmett whistled at the store clerk, and he debunks many of the erroneous stories about what happened at the store that day.

[Dewin Anguas Barnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a “lover of truth”, I am so thankful that Mr. Wright wrote this book. It answered all of the questions I was left with after reading Mamie Till Mobley’s book, as well as offered information on the more recent investigation of the case. Since reading Mobley’s book, I have more than admired Mose Wright, and being given the opportunity to learn more about him and his life is truly a gift.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simeon is not a writer by profession, however his eyewitness account of the kidnapping, the back story, and the family history make a gripping read. Knowing his story, I am stunned by the misinformation and blame that the Till and Wright families have endured, even to this day. An important read.

[Nandi Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The REAL story of what happened to Emmett Till, told by his cousin, Simeon Wright, the son of Mose Wright, who would testify at Emmett's trials. Find out what REALLY happened over fifty years ago between Emmett Till and the lady from someone who was truly there.

[Shaundell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Civil Rights period is one that I find fascinating. Simeon is the cousin to Emmett Till, the young black boy who whistled at a white woman in Mississippi. He was then kidnapped, shot in the head, and his body dumped in a river. This books totally held my attention!

[Soaring Seahawk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me very emotional, I had read another story about Emmett Till's death in 8th grade. I feel like no matter how many times I read about this young child's murder I will always cry. I am glad to think we now see these events as a tragedy, and I am so glad we are all equal in this world.

[Ryan Granquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book for those who want a quick look into the Emmett Till story from a first-hand account. I can't imagine the sense of helplessness the family must have felt as they watched young Emmett being abducted. They literally had nowhere to turn for immediate assistance.

[Darilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Important for MS readers.

[Fred Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, touching book by a relative of Emmet Till who was an eyewitness to both the incident that led to the kidnapping and murder and to the kidnapping.