From Slave to Superstar of the Wild West
The Awesome Story of Jim Beckwourth
by Tom DeMund

What? You’ve never heard of Jim Beckwourth? Well, it’s about time you discovered why he was a superstar of the Wild West! This is one of the all-time best books for middle school/junior high/senior high kids who want:

• Fun, easy reading about wild adventures
• One interesting chapter after another
• An exciting true-life story about a man’s life
• Plenty of color pictures with descriptions
• A chance to discover lots of lively American history
• Some laughs and some things to think about

What Others Are Saying About The Book:

In a clearly written narrative, both richly illustrated and conversational in tone, Tom DeMund has given full measure to the life of Jim Beckwourth, who was more than a mountain man, but not less than a myth.

—Anthony Parent, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History–
African-American Studies, Wake Forest University,
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

It’s a joy to read Tom DeMund’s book about the life of Jim Beckwourth, who was a good friend of my relatives, Milton, Andrew, and William Sublette. The many adventures these mountain men experienced come alive through the book’s colorful and well regarded writing. I highly recommend it.

—Dr. Mark Sublette, distant relative of Bill Sublette,
Medicine Man Gallery, Santa Fe/Tucson

Wow, are we at the Beckwourth Museum happy to have a new book about Jim Beckwourth available. Often youth and young adults leave their visit to the museum without being able to know what a terrific guy Jim Beckwourth was. This book certainly fills a void in the literature about this superstar of the Wild West.

—Betty Folchi, Director of the Jim Beckwourth Museum,
Beckwourth, California

This is a fascinating and important addition to the biography of African-Americans involved in the making of America. Careful research, combined with folksy, around-the-campfire storytelling and many colored illustrations, will bring Jim Beckwourth to life for middle school and junior high readers.

—Fran Nelson, Librarian, Martin Luther King Jr. Academy,
Marin City, California

Excerpts from Reviewers Comments for
From Slave to Superstar of
The Wild West - The Awesome Story of Jim Beckwourth

"I found this to be a wonderful book, easy to read . . ."This is what history books for juveniles should be. If there were more books like this, kids would grow up loving history and how it relates to their lives."

From a former high school teacher: "I usually don't read much young adult nonfiction, but I truly enjoyed this book which I found to be rather well-paced. Overall, I thought the book to be well done. The photographs were effective and the quality of the layout and text were also good. I am intrigued by the very casual voice. I like the rather mater of fact, conversational tone. The author takes a subject (History/Biography) that many students find dry or "a bit much" due to the vast amounts of information usually provided, and using colloquial language, he makes it quite accessible. I think that the author has skill at writing a book that contains cultural and historical significance without seeming to be academic which makes it a much more accessible read, one that reluctant readers will more apt to take part in."

"This is an attractive volume that is nicely designed and includes many appropriate photographs and illustrations. Tom DeMund hits the right highlights for his target audience of youngsters. His writing style builds on the story-telling tradition . . . The author sets the stage nicely for "teaching moments" about the moral and social implications of the protagonist's life choices. Overall, this is a book that should find a welcome place in classrooms and libraries for young people."

"The large font is easy to read. The book has crisp text, photos and illustrations."

"The book is written in a lively, friendly style to appeal to preteen readers. From Slave to Superstar of the Wild West is enthusiastically recommended for school and children's library collections."