“This year’s Excellence in Graphic Literature Awards winners highlight graphic literature’s incredible scope and power,” said Pop Culture Classroom Program Manager, Tajshen Campbell, Ph.D. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to recognize these unique, captivating, and educationally engaging stories and the publishers and creators behind them.” |
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"These biographical comics are entertaining overviews
that disrupt Wild West mythology."
— The New York Times |
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In the words of the judges: |
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"This is a unique addition to North American graphic literature, with its focus on stories that are not often told in any format. Addressing the popular conception that the Wild West was the home of white cowboys, this graphic novel opens up that perspective to include a glimpse into the lives of people who were often forgotten about in history or pop culture depictions of the era. This graphic novel gives readers a new look at the diversity that was present during a historical time period, and asks them to reexamine their mental image of the Wild West to include the greater diversity that has been overlooked. It contains actual photographs of the Black Americans, Mexican, and Indigenous peoples of the Wild West, who in Smith’s own words 'had the courage and strength to choose to be whoever they wanted to be.'" |
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"I wasn’t expecting BLACK HEROES OF THE WILD WEST to be so impactful, but it left me feeling joyful and hopeful 🥲...
Though geared towards young readers ages 8 and up, I think this book is a fantastic introduction for adults too. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t learn this stuff in school!" See the full review (and follow her!) HERE>> |
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