Starred Review Let 'Er Buck!

George Fletcher, the People's Champion

  • Interest Level: Grade 3 - Grade 6
  • Reading Level: Grade 4

“Nelson plaits her narrative with Western lingo and homespun similes. . . . James’ painterly oils swirl with energy, visible daubs creating the dusty, monumental landscape and equally monumental horses and humans. . . . A champion indeed.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
The true tale of a cowboy’s epic rodeo ride from acclaimed author Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and Caldecott Honoree Gordon C. James.

In 1911, three men were in the final round of the famed Pendleton Round-Up. One was white, one was Indian, and one was black. When the judges declared the white man the winner, the audience was outraged. They named black cowboy George Fletcher the “people’s champion” and took up a collection, ultimately giving Fletcher far more than the value of the prize that went to the official winner. Award-winning author Vaunda Micheaux Nelson tells the story of Fletcher’s unlikely triumph with a western flair that will delight kids—and adults—who love true stories, unlikely heroes, and cowboy tales.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-5124-9808-0
$14.24
978-1-5415-4689-9
$23.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on hardcovers and ebooks when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Grade 3 - Grade 6
Reading Level Grade 4
Genre Picture Books
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, Diverse Books: #OwnVoices, Diverse Books: Race & Ethnicity, Diverse Books: Social Justice, Diversity
Copyright 2019
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Carolrhoda Books ®
Language English
Number of Pages 40
Publication Date 2019-02-05
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS JNF007050, JNF054170, JNF053140
Dewey 791.8/4092 [B]
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 9.25 x 11
Lexile 880
Guided Reading Level V
ATOS Reading Level 4.7
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 501314
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Author/Illustrator note, Awards, Bibliography/further reading, Glossary, Original artwork, Reviewed, and Starred Reviews

Awards

  • Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee, Nominated, 2022
  • Capitol Choices Nominee, Nominated, 2020
  • Dogwood Book List for Nonfiction, Winner, 2020
  • Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choices, Winner, 2020
  • Western Writers of America Spur Award Winner, Winner, 2020
  • Notable Award ALA Notable Children's Books, Winner, 2020
  • Notable Award NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books, Winner, 2020
  • 2020 Will Rogers Medallion Award Finalist, Short-listed, 2020
  • Notable Award Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, Winner, 2020
  • Notable Award Orbis Pictus Recommended Book, Commended, 2020
  • Booklist Top 10 Biographies for Youth, Winner, 2019
  • Booklist Top 10 Sports Books for Youth, Winner, 2019
  • New Mexico-Arizona Book Award, Winner, 2019
  • Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books, Winner, 2019
  • Notable Award Booklist Editors' Choice, Winner, 2019
  • Notable Award Kirkus Best Children's Books, Winner, 2019

Reviews

The New York Times Book Review

“With its energetic pairing of words and art, ‘Let ’Er Buck!’ comes alive to unearth an unsung American hero.”—The New York Times Book Review

Starred Review School Library Journal

“An excellent choice for most biography collections. The rollicking language and gorgeous art make this a terrific read-aloud and conversation starter for older elementary students.”—starred, School Library Journal

Starred Review Booklist

“[E]nthralling. . . . A distinguished depiction of men and horses, and an under-told piece of history from the Old West.”—starred, Booklist

Starred Review Publishers Weekly

“[A] triumphant tale of fairness trumping prejudice for a wrangler extraordinaire.”—starred, Publishers Weekly

The Horn Book Magazine

“[An] engrossing picture-book biography of African American cowboy and bronc buster George Fletcher.”—The Horn Book Magazine

Starred Review Kirkus Reviews

“James’ painterly oils swirl with energy, visible daubs creating the dusty, monumental landscape and equally monumental horses and humans. . . . A champion indeed.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews