''Best Shot in the West: The Adventures of Nat Love'' is a 2012 graphic novel written by Patricia and

Fredrick McKissack Fredrick Lemuel "Fred" McKissack, Sr. (August 12, 1939 – April 28, 2013) was an African-American writer, best known for collaboration with his wife, Patricia C. McKissack on more than 100 children's books about the history of African Americans. ...

and illustrated by

Randy DuBurke Randy DuBurke (born 1962) is an American artist best known as the author and illustrator of the Steptoe Award winning book ''The Moon Ring'' (2003) and as the illustrator of '' Yummy: the Last Days of a Southside Shorty'' (2010). He previously w ...

. It is about the life of African-American

cowboy A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the '' vaquer ...

Nat Love.

Reception

'' Booklist'', reviewing ''Best Shot in the West'', wrote "The writing makes little use of hyperbole, allowing the natural drama of horse-roping contests, a kidnapping by a Native American tribe, and driving cattle through a fierce lightning storm to hold readers' attention. .. The unique art fills highly realistic figures (some even seem to be taken from old photos) and backgrounds with sprays of grainy color that make the story seem like it's coated in a patina of genuine history." and the '' School Library Journal'' wrote "Exciting and picturesque, Nat Love's life makes for a great graphic novel." ''Best Shot in the West'' has also been reviewed by '' The Horn Book Magazine'', ''Library Media Connection'', '' Voice of Youth Advocates'', '' Publishers Weekly'', ''

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' (or ''Kirkus Media'') is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980). The magazine is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fic ...

'', and the ''

Tennessee Tribune The ''Tennessee Tribune'' is an African-American newspaper in Nashville, Tennessee. Its circulation is statewide - Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Memphis, Tennessee. It was founded in 1991 by Rosetta Irvin Miller-Perry. Miller-Perry receiv ...

''. It is a 2012 BCCB Blue Ribbon Book, and a 2013 Bank Street CBC Best Children's Book of the Year.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Best Shot in the West: The Adventures of Nat Love) 2012 graphic novels African-American comics American children's books American graphic novels Biographical graphic novels Black people in comics Children's history books History books about the United States 2012 children's books Books by Patricia McKissack Non-fiction graphic novels