Belle Starr (Outlaws and Lawmen of the Wild West) [Library Binding]

Carl R. Green (Author), William R. Sanford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1992 | Age Level: 9 and up | Series: Outlaws and Lawmen of the Wild West

Chronicles the true life story of Belle Starr, as opposed to the myths that have surrounded this famous Western figure.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-- Belle Starr (nee Myra Maybelle Shirley) is a perfect example of media hype. She consorted with outlaws, sheltered and aided them, but her criminal career was minor compared to the notoriety attached to her name after her death. Green and Sanford take pains to separate the myth from the reality while making readers aware of both in this interesting biography of a colorful character. Black-and-white photographs enliven the format. The writing style is sometimes coy--``Jim Reed was the man who made May's heart beat faster,'' but always clear. The care taken to distinguish romantic legend from reality allows readers the pleasure of the former while keeping it in perspective. This book should prove fairly popular when biography reports are assigned (although it has only 40 pages of text, which will be a problem in some schools), and may even draw some browsers as well.
- Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

In the ``Outlaws and Lawmen of the Wild West'' series, a brief biography that satisfactorily sorts out the facts and fictions about the ``Bandit Queen'' for reluctant readers. Following a glimpse of Belle during her Dallas heyday, the authors go back to present a largely chronological account: Born into a prosperous Missouri farming and business family in 1848, Belle was given a better education than most. But despite her mother's aspirations for her to be a lady, Belle was in and out of trouble from the time she became a spy for Quantrill's Raiders at age 14. After her family moved to Texas, she was involved with members of the James Gang and other crooks of lesser fame. Though she herself never killed anyone, she was no stranger to murder, nor to gambling, drinking, robbery, horse stealing, and eventually prison. For long periods she was estranged from her two children; her first two husbands were shot dead--as was Belle, in an ironic twist of fate. A straightforward, nonjudgmental account that still leaves a sense of the tragic waste of a life. B&w photos, maps (not seen), glossary, further reading, index. (Biography. 9-15) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Library Binding: 48 pages
• Publisher: Enslow Pub Inc (March 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0894903632
• ISBN-13: 978-0894903632
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,900,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)