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Who Was . . . ? Series
Who Was Davy Crockett?
Davy Crockett, the King of the Wild Frontier, is a man of legend.
He is said to have killed his first bear when he was three years old. His smile alone killed another, and he skinned a bear by forcing him to run between two trees. Fact or fiction?
Find out the real story of this folk hero, who did love to hunt bears, served as a congressman for Tennessee, and fought and died at the Alamo.
He is said to have killed his first bear when he was three years old. His smile alone killed another, and he skinned a bear by forcing him to run between two trees. Fact or fiction?
Find out the real story of this folk hero, who did love to hunt bears, served as a congressman for Tennessee, and fought and died at the Alamo.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3, 2013
100 people are currently reading
486 people want to read
About the author
Gail Herman
228 books73 followersGail Herman, formerly a children's book editor in New York City, has written picture books, easy-to-reads, and chapter books, including many titles in the Who Was/What Was series. She lives in Newton, Massachusetts with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 14, 2021
Informative, but super cringey. Other books in the series do a better job incorporating a discussion of the evils of slavery and American genocide of Native Nations. I feel like the author could have used language that would help young readers think critically about the failures of historical actors, while still putting their actions and perspectives into historical context. I recommend parents find other sources to introduce their kids to frontier history.
On a side note, David Crockett would have definitely been a Trump voter.
On a side note, David Crockett would have definitely been a Trump voter.
March 25, 2015
He was a very interesting guy. If anyone want
Ta it ask me in school tomorrow
Ta it ask me in school tomorrow
Read
September 23, 2019Who was Davy Crockett
Davy Crockett was a man that always had humor and stories. Then, he gets elected for the Tennessee State Legislature and gets elected to the US house of Representatives! He also claimed that he killed 105 bears in a season. Finally, Davy Crockett decided to go to the army but dyed trying to save the Alamo. What I think about this book is lots of details, and descriptive.
[Parent's review]
[Who was Davy Crockett]
I love the [Who was] series, because the biographies are always neat and concise (although sometimes too simple and lacks details.]
This book essentially is about the “going west at the cost of the Native Indians”. Davy Crockett was born into a very poor immigrant family in Tennessee. His life changing point was in 1813 when he joined as a volunteer scout in the Creak War. After the war, he started to run for public offices from Colonel of Shoal Creek, to Tennessee State Legislature, and later to US House of Representative. He died as a hero in Alamo when flighting with the Mexican government over Texas.
Funny things I noticed as I was reading:
1. It sounds so legitimate when this book talks about the “US government” forced the Native Indians to go to reservation sites. It was as if they owned the land while actually the Native Indians had lived in there as their homeland for THOUSANDS OF YEARS.
2. The husbands/males took it granted that they could leave the wives and children behind and be absent for years. In contrast, now the US culture values so much about “family” as portrayed in Hollywood movies and books etc.
3. Davy Crockett did not really achieved any politically except winning elections. He tried his whole life time to pass the “squatter law”, but failed (Fortunately, his son took over his unfinished business and succeeded eventually. ) He rose to fame by some else’s work—a play based on his stories and an explorer from poor family.
4. Speaking of “Squatter law”, it is ironic that the Native Indians had “squatted “on those land for thousands of years, but they were not granted the right of the land by the “US government” back then. Instead, the “US government” passed “removal” law to force the Native Indians out of these land, and later granted the very land to the late-comers through “squatter law”.
5. Nonetheless, he was a brave man and died as a hero.
Davy Crockett was a man that always had humor and stories. Then, he gets elected for the Tennessee State Legislature and gets elected to the US house of Representatives! He also claimed that he killed 105 bears in a season. Finally, Davy Crockett decided to go to the army but dyed trying to save the Alamo. What I think about this book is lots of details, and descriptive.
[Parent's review]
[Who was Davy Crockett]
I love the [Who was] series, because the biographies are always neat and concise (although sometimes too simple and lacks details.]
This book essentially is about the “going west at the cost of the Native Indians”. Davy Crockett was born into a very poor immigrant family in Tennessee. His life changing point was in 1813 when he joined as a volunteer scout in the Creak War. After the war, he started to run for public offices from Colonel of Shoal Creek, to Tennessee State Legislature, and later to US House of Representative. He died as a hero in Alamo when flighting with the Mexican government over Texas.
Funny things I noticed as I was reading:
1. It sounds so legitimate when this book talks about the “US government” forced the Native Indians to go to reservation sites. It was as if they owned the land while actually the Native Indians had lived in there as their homeland for THOUSANDS OF YEARS.
2. The husbands/males took it granted that they could leave the wives and children behind and be absent for years. In contrast, now the US culture values so much about “family” as portrayed in Hollywood movies and books etc.
3. Davy Crockett did not really achieved any politically except winning elections. He tried his whole life time to pass the “squatter law”, but failed (Fortunately, his son took over his unfinished business and succeeded eventually. ) He rose to fame by some else’s work—a play based on his stories and an explorer from poor family.
4. Speaking of “Squatter law”, it is ironic that the Native Indians had “squatted “on those land for thousands of years, but they were not granted the right of the land by the “US government” back then. Instead, the “US government” passed “removal” law to force the Native Indians out of these land, and later granted the very land to the late-comers through “squatter law”.
5. Nonetheless, he was a brave man and died as a hero.
March 16, 2021
Who Was Davy Crockett? by Gail Herman is one of the award winning "Who Was..." series; this series is targeted for younger readers but is also interesting for older readers as well and contains black-and-white artwork throughout; illustrated by Robert Squier for this book. I've always been partial to Davy Crockett ever since I was little and many of my relatives called me Davy. I watched the TV show series about him and still remember the theme song for it as well as a movie or two that includes his character! There are many well-known myths about Davy Crockett and quite a few of them are dealt with by the author. From his backwoods upbringing and common sense values he often felt out of place when he served in state and US congressional elected office, where a man's word was usually for sale. He preferred the wilderness where survival skills are more important that political skills needed to survive in government. The author fills out details of Davy Crockett's life including his moving to Texas to help them fight for their independence from Mexico where he was killed at the Alamo. Well researched and written.
May 1, 2025
This series of autobiographical books have been a spectacular read for me and my 7 year old son. This particular bio covers his whole life and of course concentrates on the ending at the Alamo. Period details helped explain to children the different world that existed when he lived and that even a real person sometimes has a myth built around them. Highly recommended for young readers with an interest in history.
November 7, 2021
It was a really good book. I learned about that Davy Crocket had a battle next to the Alamo in San Antonio. He kilt him a bar when he was only 3. Davvvyyy Davy Crocket, King of the Wild Frontier. My favorite part was when David came back to his father when he was lost.
November 5, 2022
Great children's history books. This one wasn't as great as others but I did like learning Davy's story.
October 10, 2020
The TV show is based on a real person, but many of the myths about him are exaggerated. His father was a farmer. It talks a little bit about white settlers and native americans relationships throughout David's life. David's grandparents were killed in an indian attack. David had eight siblings and they lived in one-room cabin. When david was eight, his father made a water-mill but it was destroyed so his family moved again. His father opened a tavern where David hunted game to feed guests. At twelve years old, David works on a cattle drive to earn money for his family. it covered 225 miles and took two weeks. He would have to find his way back home. David stayed with that cattle drive company. But when David got homesick, he left in the middle of the night with some men who were heading back to TN. At age thirteen, David went to school. Some of the students were as old as the teacher. David scared his bully and was afraid of getting bet by the teacher so he hide during school hours instead of going to class. When the school master told david's dad, his dad whipped him. David didn't want to be beat by his dad so he ran away. he was gone a lot longer than he had plan. He lived in TN, VA to Maryland working jobs like driving cattle and odd jobs. After two and half years, david return home. Then david work to pay of a few of his dad's debt. His father respected David now.
After marrying Polly, they lived in a log home made from logs and mud. They were poor for six yeaers. David hunted for food as Polly made clothes. David paid fees on 5 arces of land in TN Indian land. Here he became a skilled bear tracker. They had their third child and couldn't keep paying for the property so they lost it. So they moved a few miles away.
During the Second War of American Independence, David joined after a fight btw settlers and Indians broke out near their home. It was a 3 month time span. David was upset that he couldn't become an officer bc he was poor. David was known throughout his life for his merry personality.
Shortly after the war, Polly died. David married a widow who also had children so he had someone to take care of the children. They decided to sell both their homes to pay off debts and settle out west. they moved to Lawrence County, TN. People there enjoyed his story telling, his reading and writing improved and he decided to run for colonel. He ran with the campaign of being a simple man, a common westerner and won the election. He loved campaigning and the title of colonel stayed with him the rest of his life.
When david campaign, he'd tell "some laughable story, and quit" unlike other politicians who liked to talk for a long time. Being a TN assemblyman was only a part-time job so david build mills along a river, but a flast flood destroyed them. David had to sell his home and land. Now, david had three more children. All eight of the children went to live with relatives. David went to the capital. He supported some rights for African Americans even though at times in his life he owned slaves though he was poor. david must have known slavery was wrong deep down. David wore palin, worn-out clothes unlike the other assemblymen in fancy shirts and coats. He used humor as a way to convince others that he was as good as them.
Btw sessions of the legislature, david rode west with his teenage son John Wesley and a neighbor. They hunted, cleared fields and built a farm. then he brought his family.
David won his election over Dr William Butler through humor. He joked about how the doctor had finer rug than his wife could afford in a gown. David and the doctor traveled together to give speeches. They were friendly, though. One time, David gave the dr's speech work-for-word before him which made the voters laugh.
many asked David to run for Congress where he could try to get Congress to pass a land bill to help poor squatters in TN. David was unknown outside his county and he didn't have money to pay for a campaign. He campaigned hard, but lost by only 267 votes. David took a break from politics to make staves (parts of the sides of barrels) from wood around him and then float them down the river to new orleans. David claim to have killed 105 bears that summer, 47 in one month.
During a boat reck, david was below deck, but he remembered a hole in the side of the boat was used to dip water from the river. He squeezed himself through with the help of his crew. His clothes and skin were ripped. They held onto a large piece of driftwood all night waiting for help.
In 1827, David ran for congress and won. In 1829, he won another two-year term and worked on the Land Bill to support squatter rights. David apposed the Indian Removal Act, but it still went through. He left Washington, DC broke so he sold his property. Elizabeth and the children lived with family while David cleared fields for a land owner, farmed, and hunted. Elizabeth and David talked about living together again one day. David went to see the plays that were based on him.
In 1833, David ran for Congress and won. He wrote his own book which became a best seller. Politicians talked David into running for president. (from poor pioneer to president - what a story!) David was gifted with a rifle with the words "Go ahead" on its barrel. It came from part of his famous motto: "be sure you are right, then go ahead." David named most of his rifles after his older sister, Betsy. He called this rifle Pretty Betsy. David lost supporters, bc some thought he had ignored his job in congress as he campaigned. He lost the election in 1835 and he didn't think he would run again. David's oldest son, John, was elected to congress two years after david left office. in 1841, he successfully passed the bill that helped squatters.
David went to hunt and camp in the woods to plan his future. He headed to Texas with a group of other men. He was 49 years old. Land in Mexico was cheap. Mexico won its independence from Spain. One of the heros was General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. When he became president, he raised taxes and took away freedoms. This made american settlers mad so a war brokeout on oct 2,1835. David join to break away from Mexico. He headed to San Antonio and the Alamo. Santa Anna was determined to take San Antonio back. William Travis was one of the leaders of the settlers. His famous words "I shall never surrender or retreat". He died at age 26. Travis wasn't a popular leader so some wanted David share command, but he refused. So Jim Bowie was elected. Bowie had a dark history. He once killed a sheriff with a large knife that became known as a "bowie" knife.
the texas settlers didn't have enough men, but they hoped more would come. Travis drew a line in the dirt with his sword and said "I now want every man who is determined to stay here and die with me to come across this line." All, but one crossed the line. They held back the Mexicans for two weeks. Only 30 more men joined. When Bowie was sick, the Mexican Army circleed the Alamo. On their third try the Mexican Army climbed the walls and were inside the Alamo. travis was shot in his forehead and died. Bowie was killed in his sick room. It's not exaclty sure what happened to David. many belief the journal of a Mexican officer. David along with six other men were taken and slaughter. The only thing that is known for sure is that David died at the Alamo. Texas became an independent republic which means it became a separate country and stayed that way for 9 years.
Robert, Daivd's son joined the Texas Army. Elizabeth moved to Texas where she was given land for David's service at the Alamo. She wore blackevery day til her death in 1860 by then Texas was a state.
The name of the theme park Six flags comes from the six nations (spanish, french, mexican, republic of texas, confederate, and american flags) that governed texas at different times over the last five hundred years.
Fess Parker was from texas and studied history in college. He played Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone on TV shows.
Before the Alamo, David was famous. After the Alamo, he became a folk hero. His book sold like never before. More books were written about him. Crrockett stories grew even wilder. A hundred years after David's death, a TV is made about him.
After marrying Polly, they lived in a log home made from logs and mud. They were poor for six yeaers. David hunted for food as Polly made clothes. David paid fees on 5 arces of land in TN Indian land. Here he became a skilled bear tracker. They had their third child and couldn't keep paying for the property so they lost it. So they moved a few miles away.
During the Second War of American Independence, David joined after a fight btw settlers and Indians broke out near their home. It was a 3 month time span. David was upset that he couldn't become an officer bc he was poor. David was known throughout his life for his merry personality.
Shortly after the war, Polly died. David married a widow who also had children so he had someone to take care of the children. They decided to sell both their homes to pay off debts and settle out west. they moved to Lawrence County, TN. People there enjoyed his story telling, his reading and writing improved and he decided to run for colonel. He ran with the campaign of being a simple man, a common westerner and won the election. He loved campaigning and the title of colonel stayed with him the rest of his life.
When david campaign, he'd tell "some laughable story, and quit" unlike other politicians who liked to talk for a long time. Being a TN assemblyman was only a part-time job so david build mills along a river, but a flast flood destroyed them. David had to sell his home and land. Now, david had three more children. All eight of the children went to live with relatives. David went to the capital. He supported some rights for African Americans even though at times in his life he owned slaves though he was poor. david must have known slavery was wrong deep down. David wore palin, worn-out clothes unlike the other assemblymen in fancy shirts and coats. He used humor as a way to convince others that he was as good as them.
Btw sessions of the legislature, david rode west with his teenage son John Wesley and a neighbor. They hunted, cleared fields and built a farm. then he brought his family.
David won his election over Dr William Butler through humor. He joked about how the doctor had finer rug than his wife could afford in a gown. David and the doctor traveled together to give speeches. They were friendly, though. One time, David gave the dr's speech work-for-word before him which made the voters laugh.
many asked David to run for Congress where he could try to get Congress to pass a land bill to help poor squatters in TN. David was unknown outside his county and he didn't have money to pay for a campaign. He campaigned hard, but lost by only 267 votes. David took a break from politics to make staves (parts of the sides of barrels) from wood around him and then float them down the river to new orleans. David claim to have killed 105 bears that summer, 47 in one month.
During a boat reck, david was below deck, but he remembered a hole in the side of the boat was used to dip water from the river. He squeezed himself through with the help of his crew. His clothes and skin were ripped. They held onto a large piece of driftwood all night waiting for help.
In 1827, David ran for congress and won. In 1829, he won another two-year term and worked on the Land Bill to support squatter rights. David apposed the Indian Removal Act, but it still went through. He left Washington, DC broke so he sold his property. Elizabeth and the children lived with family while David cleared fields for a land owner, farmed, and hunted. Elizabeth and David talked about living together again one day. David went to see the plays that were based on him.
In 1833, David ran for Congress and won. He wrote his own book which became a best seller. Politicians talked David into running for president. (from poor pioneer to president - what a story!) David was gifted with a rifle with the words "Go ahead" on its barrel. It came from part of his famous motto: "be sure you are right, then go ahead." David named most of his rifles after his older sister, Betsy. He called this rifle Pretty Betsy. David lost supporters, bc some thought he had ignored his job in congress as he campaigned. He lost the election in 1835 and he didn't think he would run again. David's oldest son, John, was elected to congress two years after david left office. in 1841, he successfully passed the bill that helped squatters.
David went to hunt and camp in the woods to plan his future. He headed to Texas with a group of other men. He was 49 years old. Land in Mexico was cheap. Mexico won its independence from Spain. One of the heros was General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. When he became president, he raised taxes and took away freedoms. This made american settlers mad so a war brokeout on oct 2,1835. David join to break away from Mexico. He headed to San Antonio and the Alamo. Santa Anna was determined to take San Antonio back. William Travis was one of the leaders of the settlers. His famous words "I shall never surrender or retreat". He died at age 26. Travis wasn't a popular leader so some wanted David share command, but he refused. So Jim Bowie was elected. Bowie had a dark history. He once killed a sheriff with a large knife that became known as a "bowie" knife.
the texas settlers didn't have enough men, but they hoped more would come. Travis drew a line in the dirt with his sword and said "I now want every man who is determined to stay here and die with me to come across this line." All, but one crossed the line. They held back the Mexicans for two weeks. Only 30 more men joined. When Bowie was sick, the Mexican Army circleed the Alamo. On their third try the Mexican Army climbed the walls and were inside the Alamo. travis was shot in his forehead and died. Bowie was killed in his sick room. It's not exaclty sure what happened to David. many belief the journal of a Mexican officer. David along with six other men were taken and slaughter. The only thing that is known for sure is that David died at the Alamo. Texas became an independent republic which means it became a separate country and stayed that way for 9 years.
Robert, Daivd's son joined the Texas Army. Elizabeth moved to Texas where she was given land for David's service at the Alamo. She wore blackevery day til her death in 1860 by then Texas was a state.
The name of the theme park Six flags comes from the six nations (spanish, french, mexican, republic of texas, confederate, and american flags) that governed texas at different times over the last five hundred years.
Fess Parker was from texas and studied history in college. He played Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone on TV shows.
Before the Alamo, David was famous. After the Alamo, he became a folk hero. His book sold like never before. More books were written about him. Crrockett stories grew even wilder. A hundred years after David's death, a TV is made about him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2017
Good summary for young readers who might not know anything about Crockett beyond his death at the Alamo. This overview does of a great job of separating the man of history from the man of legend; while several probable legends are recorded as potentially factual, the author shows clearly in her presentation that Crockett was larger than life. She also shows how he felt about several gripping political issues of his time, including squatter’s rights/land use, the Indian wars, and Jackson’s removal of Native Americans from the southern states via the Trail of Tears. Another worthwhile book in this series.
April 5, 2021
Gail Herman was given a difficult job: write an easy-to-read biography about David Crockett for younger readers. She includes factual information while skirting around or smoothing over troubling aspects of Crockett's life. Clearly, she had to make some decisions about how deeply she could discuss issues like slavery, westward expansion, the genocide of Native Americans, and Crockett's willful environmental destruction. We read this with our kids, so we were able to stop and discuss the deeper issues at play. However, a child reading this without the supervision of a knowledgeable adult would likely come away with an artificially optimistic opinion of Crockett.
March 31, 2019
Who was Davy Crockett is a phenomenal book that talks about what he did as a child and a adult. When he was a child it is said he killed his first bear when he was three and when he was older he decided to run away from home because his Dad would beat him a lot for no reason. It also talks about the things he did as an adult and what he did was he became one of the best hunters in the world some evidence of this is that he killed 105 bears in one hunting season. Davy Crockett lived a great live but sadly it had to come to an end when he was defending the Alamo he was shot and killed. This book is great and I would recommend It to anyone.
Read
September 23, 2021The biography of Davy Crockett. Davy is rumored to have shot his first bear at 3 years old. Whether fact or fiction Davy was a very adept hunter who's skills came in handy many times. Davy even served as a congressmen for his home state of Tennessee. The book ends when Davy sadly dies in the battle of the Alamo. This would be a good biography to use for a middle elementary class. It would be a good option for someone to chose for biography day at school.
June 17, 2021
Davy Crocket was a restless soul from the day he was born. He and his family moved many times throughout his lifetime. He became famous for his marksmanship and his story telling. The latter helped him win office at several different levels. He was never a rich man but his spirit lives on beyond his death. Well worth the read.
December 14, 2018
104 pages. Very good, balanced information on a famous frontiersman. I learned a lot about his journey and details I did not know about. Kids will enjoy learning about him or can use for reports. Highly recommended for Grades 4-5.
July 19, 2022
Visitando San Antonio me encontré con este libro y quise entender un poco más de la historia del lugar y la Batalla del Álamo. Es informativo y sirvió para aprender un poco de la vida de David Crockett y lo que pasó acá en Texas
August 17, 2022
"Be sure you are right, then go ahead".
-David Crockett
I had no idea how little I actually knew about David Crockett until this book. No idea he was in politics, and that he preferred to be called David and not Davy!!
-David Crockett
I had no idea how little I actually knew about David Crockett until this book. No idea he was in politics, and that he preferred to be called David and not Davy!!
June 4, 2023
Very interesting - didn't know much about Davy Crockett aside from him dying at the Alamo. Also didn't know six flags amusement park is because of the 6 flags that have flown over Texas - learn something new every day.
June 24, 2023
This book was actually very interesting for me. I grew up watching the Davy Crockett show and I felt like I learned a lot more reading this book. I will definitely be adding this one to my classroom’s library.
January 18, 2025
great bio for young and old
These who was biography books give lessons unbiased information and documents in the back where the documents come from. So great learning tool for a child needing to use it for a school paper.
These who was biography books give lessons unbiased information and documents in the back where the documents come from. So great learning tool for a child needing to use it for a school paper.
June 8, 2018
Davy Crockett was so much more than the legend that we know of him.
November 21, 2018
I was glad to learn that he voted against a law that would allow the capture and sale of freed slaves and against the Indian Removal Act.
January 24, 2019
The historical parts were fun.
October 3, 2019
I like an adventure here and there, and I think that the story about Davy Crockett was good. I learned a lot of things from a guy who rode a comet, so it's nice to see what he ACTUALLY did.
February 28, 2020
I could use this folk-tale in my classroom for when I'm teaching my students about the genre.
Read
March 10, 2020good book
April 29, 2020
Great
Great, I really liked this book because it gives all the details of Davy Crockett's life and adventures. I would recommend this book to anyone
Great, I really liked this book because it gives all the details of Davy Crockett's life and adventures. I would recommend this book to anyone
May 23, 2022
A good summary of Davy Crockett s life illustrated for kids! I enjoyed reading this after just having visited the Alamo
July 31, 2023
My elementary aged boys loved this book as I read to them! They enjoyed the story and facts about David as we turned each page! A fun history read for beginners!
Read
February 29, 2024good book
April 11, 2024
I would recommend this children’s biography series o any chid from 7 to 15 who wants to know more about history and the people in it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews