Buffalo Soldier

"This poetic narrative evokes the emotion of emancipation . . . both informs and pulls at the heartstrings of readers."
-School Library Journal

"Himler's vibrant illustrations capture the broad vistas of western landscape, the excitement of horseback pursuit, and the hardships of the work . . . an excellent introduction to a sometimes-overlooked part of American history."
-Booklist

Award-winning author Sherry Garland and master artist Ronald Himler, the team that brought us the critically acclaimed Voices of the Alamo, give us another humanized account of American history.
The African-American buffalo soldiers, nicknamed by the Cheyenne Indians because of their curly hair and bravery, joined the six black regiments commissioned by an act of Congress in 1866. These men, many of whom were former slaves, enlisted in the army to earn a steady income, acquire an education, and gain respect. They protected settlers from hostile Indians, rustlers, outlaws, and bandits.
Serving Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Indian Territory, the mountain states, and the Great Plains states, the soldiers' work detail ranged from protecting mail delivery and telegraph crews to finding Indians who left reservations. The buffalo soldiers were known for their courage and dedication and had the lowest desertion rate among the soldiers of their day.
This heartwarming story of one buffalo soldier's service to his country during the Indian Wars and Spanish-American War shows the many hardships these regiments faced. As told through the soldier-narrator's voice, the life of one buffalo soldier is revealed as the reader learns what he ate, where he slept, the education he gained on and off the battlefield, how he spent his hard-earned money, and what he and the other soldiers did for recreation.

Sherry Garland, a fifth-generation Texan and the author of more than twenty-five books, writes of history and tells stories about interesting people. Her books have received many honors, including selection for the American Library Association's Notable Children's Books, Best Books for Young Adults, the Reading Rainbow award, the Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List, and the California Young Reader Medal Program. Garland is also the author of Best Horse on the Force, published by Pelican.
Ronald Himler has been illustrating children's books since 1971 and has over eighty books to his credit. His work has received numerous honors, including ALA Notables, the Society of Illustrators Silver Medal, and citations on the Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List.

Troops from the Tenth Cavalry went West following the Civil War. These black soldiers became known as Buffalo Soldiers. This book highlights their story with illustrations and text.

Children's Literature

Right after slavery was ended in the United States, many African-American men signed up to join the army. They felt that even though they were free, they were no better off than they had been before. They still had no land, no money, no education, and not very many prospects for improving their lives. Joining the army, many reasoned, would be a good way to earn money to start a new life. Some who joined were assigned to cavalry units, and later became known as buffalo soldiers as much for their tenacity as for their coarse curly hair. This touching first person account of one buffalo soldier's service in the army, from beginning to end, takes readers from his days right after the Civil War ended up to the Spanish American war, riding with the Roughriders and Teddy Roosevelt, through to his grandson's service in World War II . Each page in this historically based fictional account chronicles important events in American history and tells, through one man's story, how the steadfast buffalo soldiers contributed to these events, to the growth of the country, and how they became a memorable part of our history.

Ronald Himler has been illustrating children's books since 1971 and has over eighty books to his credit. His work has received numerous honors, including ALA Notables, the Society of Illustrators Silver Medal, and citations on the Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List.