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The Boy Who Became Buffalo Bill: Growing Up Billy Cody in Bleeding Kansas
The greatest entertainer of his era, Buffalo Bill was the founder and star of the legendary show that featured cowboys, Indians, trick riding, and sharpshooters.
But long before stardom, Buffalo Bill—born Billy Cody—had to grow up fast. While homesteading in Kansas just before the Civil War, his family was caught up in the conflict with neighboring Missouri over whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free or slave state.
To support his family after a pro-slaver killed his father, Billy—then eleven—herded cattle, worked on wagon trains, and rode the Pony Express. As the violence in Bleeding Kansas escalated, he joined the infamous Jayhawkers, seeking revenge on Missouri¬ans, and then became a soldier, scout, and spy in the Civil War—all by age seventeen.
Award-winning author Andrea Warren brings to life the compelling childhood of an adventurous, determined boy who transformed himself into a true American icon.
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 10, 2025
An excellent book! I loved the story of Billy "Buffalo Bill" Cody. He was an amazing man - he became the head of his family at the age of 11 in the dangerous frontier of Kansas Territory. There was a reason it was called Bleeding Kansas - rival factions fought over who would rule this new state - slavers or abolitionists. Cody's family were abolitionists and his father was killed for it. Cody held many jobs trying to support his mother and the younger children; he wrangled horses and cattle and led wagon trains west, among other jobs. His interactions with Indians at the local forts saved his life on some occasions, as he had learned their language and customs.
This book has brief fact-filled chapters and would be great for classrooms or home schools where the history of the American West is being studied - including the Civil War and the wars involving the Indians as settlers moved west. I would recommend it especially for middle-grade boys who want to read about real men who lived lives of adventure during the early days of our country.
This book has brief fact-filled chapters and would be great for classrooms or home schools where the history of the American West is being studied - including the Civil War and the wars involving the Indians as settlers moved west. I would recommend it especially for middle-grade boys who want to read about real men who lived lives of adventure during the early days of our country.
October 7, 2015
This is the story of a real American Hero. It starts with his birth and will take you thru an amazing life. This is a book all boys should and everyone would enjoy.
January 1, 2016
I really liked it and learned a bunch about Kansas!
May 8, 2017
Warren herself points out in the author's note at the end of the book that her focus here was not entirely on Buffalo Bill, but on Bleeding Kansas and the events surrounding Kansas's statehood. And seeing as William Cody spent part of his childhood as well as his teenage years in Kansas at that time, he made a great way to tell the story of what was going on in Kansas at that time. Using Cody's own words as well as those of other family members and witnesses, Warren does a great job of sharing the tensions and conflict that boiled over into bloodshed and terror after Congress gave Kansans the right to decide whether to be a free or slave state. After the death of his older brother, Cody and his family set off for Kansas looking for a place to prosper and forget. But none of them forsaw the conflict that would invade their lives. The invasion of Kansas by slaveholders from Missouri and elsewhere clashed with Cody's father's beliefs and when that became known Cody's father was stabbed. While Isaac Cody survived the stabbing, his stance on slavery forced him away from his family in order to protect them and his family struggled without him. Within three years, Isaac would be dead and Billy would be left at the age of 11 to be the man of the house. But his own restless, wandering nature made it a struggle to stay home.
Written in a compelling style, often times using direct quotes from Billy himself as well as his sister, Julia, and other witnesses, The Boy Who became Buffalo Bill, focuses on Billy's youth, the years leading up to Bleeding Kansas and the events surrounding Billy's life there. While the author does get into his adult life a bit at the end, the focus here is on his teenage years, his involvement in outlaw raids during the Civil War, and his service in the Union Army. It's clear that Warren is more trusting of Cody's own words than many others, and Cody was known to exaggerate and even make things up which makes it hard to know how much of his own version of his life was actually true. But regardless, Warren presents a compelling read, leaving it to the reader to accept or reject Cody's version of events.
Written in a compelling style, often times using direct quotes from Billy himself as well as his sister, Julia, and other witnesses, The Boy Who became Buffalo Bill, focuses on Billy's youth, the years leading up to Bleeding Kansas and the events surrounding Billy's life there. While the author does get into his adult life a bit at the end, the focus here is on his teenage years, his involvement in outlaw raids during the Civil War, and his service in the Union Army. It's clear that Warren is more trusting of Cody's own words than many others, and Cody was known to exaggerate and even make things up which makes it hard to know how much of his own version of his life was actually true. But regardless, Warren presents a compelling read, leaving it to the reader to accept or reject Cody's version of events.
December 10, 2015
Featured in "Historical Nonfiction for Young Readers" on Intellectual Recreation.
Before Buffalo Bill became Buffalo Bill and the famous star of his wild west show, he was Billy Cody, a boy growing up in Kansas.
The Codys moved to Kansas and settled near Leavenworth in 1853, just as the tensions between Kansas and Missouri were heating up. Isaac Cody, Billy's father was a Free Stater, and the family became embroiled in the conflict almost immediately.
Andrea Warren set out to write a book about the conflict over whether or not Kansas would enter the Union as a free or slave state. She found the perfect anchor for her book with young Billy Cody. This book also takes readers all over the west with Billy, a true frontiersman. He went on cattle drives, trapping expeditions, served as a spy in the Civil War, and hunted Buffalo. He was friends with Native Americans and could track and hunt. He was even a rider on the short-lived Pony Express! And he did this all before the age of eighteen. Basically, Buffalo Bill encapsulates the Old West perfectly.
The Boy Who Became Buffalo Bill is a great way for young readers to learn about Bleeding Kansas and the frontier. I think it would be a great addition to classrooms, especially in Kansas.
I spent seven years living in Lawrence and Kansas City, and that certainly increased my appreciation of this book. I wish I had been able to read it while I was living there! My knowledge of the regions discussed (lots of details about Lawrence and even Olathe gets a shout-out) paired with my love of exploring the areas where I live, made this a perfect book for me. I was not surprised to learn that Andrea Warren lives in Kansas City. Her knowledge of the area comes out in the very clear pictures she paints of the region.
The Boy Who Became Buffalo Bill is out November 3rd, 2015.
Review copy from NetGalley
January 26, 2016
THE BOY WHO BECAME BUFFALO BILL by Andrea Warren is an engrossing nonfiction adventure featuring young Billy Cody.
This compelling true story details young Billy Cody’s life growing up on the plains and ultimately becoming an entertainer. Although the book discusses the Wild West show, emphasis is placed on his younger years. The bulk of the biography explores his tween and young adult years in Kansas, his role in the Civil War, and his work as a scout and guide.
The author skillfully weaves historical events into the real-life story of the beloved entertainer. The author’s notes point out that the legend can be difficult to distinguish from the facts. However, Warren’s well-researched biography does an excellent job focusing on historically accurate information.
Librarians will find this biography is written specifically for the middle grade audience. The easy-to-read narrative combined with the short chapters focusing on specific historical events will be attractive to young readers. The wealth of primary source documents including photographs will add to the appeal for young learners. A discussion guide is available for this title.
Add this title to your growing collection of outstanding biographical works by Andrea Warren.
To learn more about the author, go to http://andreawarren.com/.
Published by Two Lions on November 3, 2015. ARC courtesy of the publisher.
This compelling true story details young Billy Cody’s life growing up on the plains and ultimately becoming an entertainer. Although the book discusses the Wild West show, emphasis is placed on his younger years. The bulk of the biography explores his tween and young adult years in Kansas, his role in the Civil War, and his work as a scout and guide.
The author skillfully weaves historical events into the real-life story of the beloved entertainer. The author’s notes point out that the legend can be difficult to distinguish from the facts. However, Warren’s well-researched biography does an excellent job focusing on historically accurate information.
Librarians will find this biography is written specifically for the middle grade audience. The easy-to-read narrative combined with the short chapters focusing on specific historical events will be attractive to young readers. The wealth of primary source documents including photographs will add to the appeal for young learners. A discussion guide is available for this title.
Add this title to your growing collection of outstanding biographical works by Andrea Warren.
To learn more about the author, go to http://andreawarren.com/.
Published by Two Lions on November 3, 2015. ARC courtesy of the publisher.
October 18, 2015
This book is a biography of the frontier showman Buffalo Bill Cody, but so much more. It presents a vivid portrait of his childhood set before a backdrop of the violence of pre-civil War history in Kansas and Missouri. So much of this aspect of U.S. History was unknown to me, raised in New England and spending my adult years in Virginia, that I was fascinated by the events that shaped young Billy. Like any good work of history, it led me to investigate further on my own, but by providing extensive notes at the end, the author did a fine job of telling "the rest of the story". Not only was this a gripping historical record, but a portrait of a true American who exhibited many fine qualities greatly advanced for his time. This is a man about whom young readers can research without the apologies we so often must add to our examination of leaders of an earlier time. His treatment of women and Indians, his love and loyalty to family, his work ethic and his respect for the environment all play a significant part in his story, and make it worth telling. The extensive notes and websites encourage young history buffs and researchers to continue the story.
December 30, 2015
Having lived in the Midwest for the majority of my life, I knew about Buffalo Bill Cody. What I didn't know was that he was born in Iowa and grew up in Bleedy Kansas near Leavenworth before becoming a Pony Express rider and later founder of his famous Wild West show. This book explains that history in a captivating fashion, focusing primarily on his childhood.
I read an ARC on NetGalley courtesy of the publisher.
I read an ARC on NetGalley courtesy of the publisher.
October 27, 2021
My husband and I had the privilege of attending the 2021 Thorpe Menn Award banquet, where Andrea Warren, the prize winner from last year, delivered the keynote address. She has written many YA books that have been nominated for the prize, including this one. She spoke about her experiences and motivations as an author and ran down summaries of her many books. She made us want to run straight to the library to start reading them, especially this one. Like Warren, we didn’t know that Billy Cody grew up in western Missouri and eastern Kansas in the violent years leading into the Civil War (near where we live now). Billy’s dad was murdered by pro-slave thugs who continually attacked anyone trying to create a free-state in Kansas. Cody had to grow up fast, doing a man’s work by the time he was only eight. He became an expert horseman, shooter, and scout. He also played with boys his age from several Indian tribes and learned to speak their languages: all building to one of the most violent and fascinating lives you could ever read about, the kind of life most little boys pretend to lead.
I enjoy the directness of YA writing: keep it interesting but get to the point. This book is also wonderfully illustrated with photographs of the Cody family, his later Wild West cast, the many famous people he worked with or fought, plus old maps and drawings that make this fascinating story feel real and recent.
I enjoy the directness of YA writing: keep it interesting but get to the point. This book is also wonderfully illustrated with photographs of the Cody family, his later Wild West cast, the many famous people he worked with or fought, plus old maps and drawings that make this fascinating story feel real and recent.
February 7, 2019
Written by talented Kansas author Andrea Warren, I throughly enjoyed reading this book about young Billy Cody. I knew only the basics most of us had heard about Buffalo Bill, how he earned his name and about his lengthy career as a successful showman. But I knew little about his early life and exploits, and was amazed that he survived them. Warren provides many historical details and also lists resources that provide ideas for further study.
February 10, 2017
Enjoyed
I read this book as a 72 year old to learn info about Billy Cody and was so interested to learn all the history of Kanas and the boarder wars. How is it that I have lived so long and never known any of this??!!..I highly recommend this book to any who are interested in our history..especially mid western and western history. Cody was a part of it all!
I read this book as a 72 year old to learn info about Billy Cody and was so interested to learn all the history of Kanas and the boarder wars. How is it that I have lived so long and never known any of this??!!..I highly recommend this book to any who are interested in our history..especially mid western and western history. Cody was a part of it all!
December 31, 2020
Before he was Buffalo Bill
Ms. Warren once again does an incredible job of explaining history to he reader using the viewpoint of a child involved in the story. This book includes many details that helped form the person that grew up to be Buffalo Bill. I enjoyed the read thoroughly.
Ms. Warren once again does an incredible job of explaining history to he reader using the viewpoint of a child involved in the story. This book includes many details that helped form the person that grew up to be Buffalo Bill. I enjoyed the read thoroughly.
February 23, 2017
Billy Cody and the wild west.
Must-read about Buffalo Bill as child growing up during one of bloodiest times in history of west. Well written, lots of history.
Must-read about Buffalo Bill as child growing up during one of bloodiest times in history of west. Well written, lots of history.
May 27, 2026
Wonderful book. Fast read and so informative. I got this book in Iowa when I visited his birthplace. I am also related to Buffalo Bill via my ggg grandfather who married Buffalo Bill's 4th cousin.
October 23, 2025
This was our most recent history read aloud for school. I was fascinated to learn more about Buffalo Bill’s childhood in Kansas, and my oldest even grudgingly commented, “I kind of like this book.” High praise from a tween. 😆
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I thought this was well-written and well-researched, while also being engaging for my kids.
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I thought this was well-written and well-researched, while also being engaging for my kids.
February 24, 2017
A delightful history of a great Pioneer.
My interest in Buffalo Bill was due to my father's stories about the show he saw many years ago in Holyoke, MA and that there were ' Real Indians'
My interest in Buffalo Bill was due to my father's stories about the show he saw many years ago in Holyoke, MA and that there were ' Real Indians'
October 17, 2015
Wild horses. Indian attacks. Buffalo hunts. Wagon trains. Imagine growing up in an era where those things still happened. Billy Cody moved with his family from Iowa to Kansas. His father hoped for a free state, but some folks in neighboring Missouri wanted another slave state and it caused enormous problems. There were vigilantes, border raids, ballot boxes were stuffed with illegal votes, and his father was stabbed by a man just for saying he wanted Kansas to be free. Although his father was not an abolitionist, the Cody family was persecuted and threatened repeatedly. It wasn't enough that his older brother had died after a riding accident, or that his father never recovered from the stabbing and died a few years later. Their crops were burned, cattle run off, belongings stolen, and Billy was the man of the house when he wasn't even a teenager yet.
Despite all the hardships, he also had a lot of adventures that he enjoyed, and the book captures those times, too. He herded cattle along the wagon trails, rounded up horses, acted as a scout and messenger, rode for the Pony Express, and served in the Union Army long before he ever formed his famous Wild West Show. Often we overlook the childhood of famous individuals, but Buffalo Bill Cody's younger years were what gave him the skills and confidence to put together a show that traveled America and Europe, even getting a bow from the Queen of England and impressing a young Winston Churchill.
The events are described using information from interviews, books, and other documents by Cody and his sisters. There are photographs of Cody and Sitting Bull, along with many illustrations from paintings and sketches from the time period of the events. Tying in the primary sources helps to ground a story that might otherwise seem unbelievable.
For anyone who enjoys the "Wild West" or is interested in Buffalo Bill and his contemporaries such as Kit Carson, Wild Bill Hickok, and Annie Oakley will be captivated by this retelling of the major events in Bill's life.
I read a e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
Despite all the hardships, he also had a lot of adventures that he enjoyed, and the book captures those times, too. He herded cattle along the wagon trails, rounded up horses, acted as a scout and messenger, rode for the Pony Express, and served in the Union Army long before he ever formed his famous Wild West Show. Often we overlook the childhood of famous individuals, but Buffalo Bill Cody's younger years were what gave him the skills and confidence to put together a show that traveled America and Europe, even getting a bow from the Queen of England and impressing a young Winston Churchill.
The events are described using information from interviews, books, and other documents by Cody and his sisters. There are photographs of Cody and Sitting Bull, along with many illustrations from paintings and sketches from the time period of the events. Tying in the primary sources helps to ground a story that might otherwise seem unbelievable.
For anyone who enjoys the "Wild West" or is interested in Buffalo Bill and his contemporaries such as Kit Carson, Wild Bill Hickok, and Annie Oakley will be captivated by this retelling of the major events in Bill's life.
I read a e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
February 16, 2016
First reviewed on Literaritea
What It Is: A middle grades biography of Buffalo Bill
What It’s About: Buffalo Bill may be the title character of this wild ride, but Bleeding Kansas just prior to the Civil War takes center stage. Billy Cody came of age during a particularly turbulent, violent time right on the border of Kansas and Missouri. Pro-slave factions were set out to kill his anti-slave father; that combined with the usual suspects (disease, general economic hardship, pioneer struggles, etc.) meant that young Billy had to grow up in a hurry.
What Works: The narrative is fast-paced and sprinkled with terrific photographs and artwork from the time period. Short chapters end on a suspenseful note, keeping readers hooked. Warren’s end matter is outstanding: copious source notes, a thorough bibliography plus extra resources on supporting characters and the time period, author’s notes on research and information on characters such as Wild Bill Hickok (who makes an appearance).
What Doesn’t Work: Some young readers may pick this up hoping for a more straightforward biography of Buffalo Bill. This is more a book about tensions in Kansas and the country during the mid-1800s (slavery, Native Americans, Mormons, westward expansion) with young Billy Cody as the focal point.
What I Think: A great read all in all. Bill’s mother is clearly religious/Christian, but it’s unclear whether he shares any of that faith. It would be interesting to see that explored further. Regardless, he seemed to treat those with whom he came into contact with dignity, even if they were different from himself.
What I Recommend: Target audience is middle grades (4th-8th), but advanced readers as young as third could get into this story easily and older readers will also enjoy it. A good choice for independent reading for fun, to go along with a study of U.S. History during this time period, to offer a nonfiction “Western” alternative.
What It Is: A middle grades biography of Buffalo Bill
What It’s About: Buffalo Bill may be the title character of this wild ride, but Bleeding Kansas just prior to the Civil War takes center stage. Billy Cody came of age during a particularly turbulent, violent time right on the border of Kansas and Missouri. Pro-slave factions were set out to kill his anti-slave father; that combined with the usual suspects (disease, general economic hardship, pioneer struggles, etc.) meant that young Billy had to grow up in a hurry.
What Works: The narrative is fast-paced and sprinkled with terrific photographs and artwork from the time period. Short chapters end on a suspenseful note, keeping readers hooked. Warren’s end matter is outstanding: copious source notes, a thorough bibliography plus extra resources on supporting characters and the time period, author’s notes on research and information on characters such as Wild Bill Hickok (who makes an appearance).
What Doesn’t Work: Some young readers may pick this up hoping for a more straightforward biography of Buffalo Bill. This is more a book about tensions in Kansas and the country during the mid-1800s (slavery, Native Americans, Mormons, westward expansion) with young Billy Cody as the focal point.
What I Think: A great read all in all. Bill’s mother is clearly religious/Christian, but it’s unclear whether he shares any of that faith. It would be interesting to see that explored further. Regardless, he seemed to treat those with whom he came into contact with dignity, even if they were different from himself.
What I Recommend: Target audience is middle grades (4th-8th), but advanced readers as young as third could get into this story easily and older readers will also enjoy it. A good choice for independent reading for fun, to go along with a study of U.S. History during this time period, to offer a nonfiction “Western” alternative.
February 20, 2017
The flow is jerky and jumpy, very patchy writing. The details are basically watered-down versions designed to not offend any reader and in so doing, offends nearly all.
December 28, 2015
"You seem to have a reputation as a frontiersman, Billy."
When the Codys left Iowa for Kansas (after the death of their oldest son, Sam), they had no idea they were walking into one of the nation's bloodiest border wars. The fight between pro-slavery Missouri and anti-slavery Kansas was starting to heat up and some say, were the beginning battles of the Civil War. Bill's father Isaac, being anti-slavery, became a target early on. And by the time he was 11, Bill became the man of the family upon his father's death.
To earn money, he worked on a wagon train with Wild Bill Hickock (10 years older); he worked cattle drives and as a frontier guide. At the age of 14, Bill was a Pony Express rider from 1860 - 1861. After the death of his mother, he joined the Union Army at the age of 17 and became a scout and spy for General Andrew Jackson Smith. In every task, he earned the respect of those with which he worked. And slowly built a reputation that would establish him as an historical icon.
His early experiences helped him to form his Wild West Show (although he never called it a show). He knew people like "noisy, rattling gunpowder entertainment" and he delighted in showing people the frontier life that he so enjoyed. He was a forward thinking man who believed that women should have the vote, that everyone should receive equal pay for equal jobs (male and female, Caucasian and Native American), was an early conservationist and philanthropist. A personality fused in the crucible of violence and bloodshed, but also heavily influenced by his mother.
A life filled with adventure and tragedy, heartache and a love for the frontier, this biography should get students excited about this period in history.
When the Codys left Iowa for Kansas (after the death of their oldest son, Sam), they had no idea they were walking into one of the nation's bloodiest border wars. The fight between pro-slavery Missouri and anti-slavery Kansas was starting to heat up and some say, were the beginning battles of the Civil War. Bill's father Isaac, being anti-slavery, became a target early on. And by the time he was 11, Bill became the man of the family upon his father's death.
To earn money, he worked on a wagon train with Wild Bill Hickock (10 years older); he worked cattle drives and as a frontier guide. At the age of 14, Bill was a Pony Express rider from 1860 - 1861. After the death of his mother, he joined the Union Army at the age of 17 and became a scout and spy for General Andrew Jackson Smith. In every task, he earned the respect of those with which he worked. And slowly built a reputation that would establish him as an historical icon.
His early experiences helped him to form his Wild West Show (although he never called it a show). He knew people like "noisy, rattling gunpowder entertainment" and he delighted in showing people the frontier life that he so enjoyed. He was a forward thinking man who believed that women should have the vote, that everyone should receive equal pay for equal jobs (male and female, Caucasian and Native American), was an early conservationist and philanthropist. A personality fused in the crucible of violence and bloodshed, but also heavily influenced by his mother.
A life filled with adventure and tragedy, heartache and a love for the frontier, this biography should get students excited about this period in history.
February 20, 2017
Great book...
I was very moved by this story. The author opened my eyes to the real Bill Cody. Andrea brought forth a large piece of history that I was not aware of. Great story.
I was very moved by this story. The author opened my eyes to the real Bill Cody. Andrea brought forth a large piece of history that I was not aware of. Great story.
July 19, 2016
Every generation produces some people who are almost larger than life. Buffalo Bill Cody was such a person. This adventuring showman was responsible for bringing a view of the "rugged west" to people all over the world. Usually when we read about Buffalo Bill, we are reading about his buffalo hunting or his wild west show. In this book, Andrea Warren helps us to see how Billy Cody became Buffalo Bill.
Frankly, I had never given Bill Cody's childhood a thought prior to picking up this book. It is a carefully researched, well told history of Cody and of Kansas. As I read further into the book, I asked my husband one night if he had learned anything about "Bleeding Kansas" in his elementary school located in eastern Kansas not far from where Cody lived as a child. He couldn't remember much discussion. I know that although I have lived in Kansas all my life, I found out more about the history of Kansas in this book than I ever studied in school.
Warren tells the reader up front that some of Buffalo Bill Cody's own words are not necessarily to be trusted--ever the showman, he may have exaggerated some of his stories. But she researched additional sources, and that allows her to stay true to the history.
Buffalo Bill Cody was an extraordinary man, and this book tells his story well. I know that kids like adventure, and I believe they like true adventure most of all. This book will be a clear asset in a classroom and a school library. I suspect that like Billy Cody, the book won't sit around on a shelf very long.
Frankly, I had never given Bill Cody's childhood a thought prior to picking up this book. It is a carefully researched, well told history of Cody and of Kansas. As I read further into the book, I asked my husband one night if he had learned anything about "Bleeding Kansas" in his elementary school located in eastern Kansas not far from where Cody lived as a child. He couldn't remember much discussion. I know that although I have lived in Kansas all my life, I found out more about the history of Kansas in this book than I ever studied in school.
Warren tells the reader up front that some of Buffalo Bill Cody's own words are not necessarily to be trusted--ever the showman, he may have exaggerated some of his stories. But she researched additional sources, and that allows her to stay true to the history.
Buffalo Bill Cody was an extraordinary man, and this book tells his story well. I know that kids like adventure, and I believe they like true adventure most of all. This book will be a clear asset in a classroom and a school library. I suspect that like Billy Cody, the book won't sit around on a shelf very long.
November 10, 2015
My Thoughts On The Book: This was my first book by Andrea Warren and it will not be my last. When I was young I loved reading about the wild west and what their daily lives were like. I grew up reading about Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill Hickok and loved them all. My father would read these stories to me at bedtime and in the mind of a young girl I wanted to live their lives. The problem was that those stories were glamorized for young children to read. Until I read this book I never truly knew life was really like. From the moment I began until I finished I was transformed back to a time during my childhood and was captivated. I am a school teacher and could see this book as a great fit for the library and history classes. Loved it!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-book free from Two Lions and Net Galley Publicity Group as part of their Book Review Blogger Programs. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-book free from Two Lions and Net Galley Publicity Group as part of their Book Review Blogger Programs. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
December 23, 2015
I enjoy how Andrea Warren uses one individual's story to give a more personal picture of a time in history. I knew Bill Cody had an interesting life story and expected mostly details of how he grew up developing skills as a horseman and scout, but this book is about much more than that. It does include many interesting details about the jobs that he did to support his family as he grew up, including herding livestock for wagon trains and delivering mail as a Pony Express Rider, but it is also very much about the conflict in Missouri and Kansas leading up to and during the U.S. Civil War. Bill Cody's father was actively involved in working to make Kansas a free state, and this affected all aspects of the family's life. Once the Civil War began, Bill Cody became a Jayhawker before officially enlisting in the Union Army. After the war, he continued working for the army and became a guide for hunters who wanted to experience the West, before finally using all of his life experiences to create his own Wild West show. All of these pieces tie together to create a fascinating history of life in Kansas during this time and of the man who became famous around the world as Buffalo Bill.
* I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
* I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
February 7, 2016
This book is targeted for middle grade readers, although I think many adults would enjoy it--I did. It focuses on the life of Billy Cody as a child and young adult but does spend some time talking about his time with his Wild West show, which is what most people know of Bill Cody. I learned many things I did not know before about Kansas and its fight to become a state, the terrible events that occurred leading up to the Civil War which foreshadowed what was to come for the rest of the nation, details about the Pony Express, to name a few. The author did a wonderful job of anchoring the story through Bill Cody's experiences.
This book is so well-written and researched. The author provides a lot of background as well as follow-up resources for those who would be interested in researching more. The book is high quality, very nice paper stock, and has many photographs and captions to go along with the story. This would make a great gift for any young person interested in history or the wild west.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
This book is so well-written and researched. The author provides a lot of background as well as follow-up resources for those who would be interested in researching more. The book is high quality, very nice paper stock, and has many photographs and captions to go along with the story. This would make a great gift for any young person interested in history or the wild west.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
October 28, 2015
I honestly didn't think I'd enjoy this book. I received a copy from netgalley in exchange for my review and thought it would be a quick, easy read.
I was engrossed the whole time! I never really gave any thought to where Buffalo Bill came from or what he went through to become the superstar he was. His life was fascinating.
Not only does the author give us Billy Cody's history but she also gives a lot of America's history at the time. I got to read about John Brown, Wild Bill, Bleeding Kansas and more. I had no idea what Kansas went through before the Civil War.
The only small draw back was the book felt like it skimmed the very top layer of history and not all of it was completely factual or maybe some facts were left out. But it wasn't a huge factor in my reading the book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history!
I was engrossed the whole time! I never really gave any thought to where Buffalo Bill came from or what he went through to become the superstar he was. His life was fascinating.
Not only does the author give us Billy Cody's history but she also gives a lot of America's history at the time. I got to read about John Brown, Wild Bill, Bleeding Kansas and more. I had no idea what Kansas went through before the Civil War.
The only small draw back was the book felt like it skimmed the very top layer of history and not all of it was completely factual or maybe some facts were left out. But it wasn't a huge factor in my reading the book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history!
November 13, 2015
I received this book from Goodreads.
I immediately liked how easy this book was to read and how smooth the words flowed. When I began reading this book I thought it would be a normal run of the mill biography. I didn't imagine that it would be a tantalizing adventure in bleeding Kansas right smack in the middle of the civil war and that I would go from reading about the west to reading about England and the Queen. It was exciting and informative reading about Billy Cody and how he had to step up and take on a grown man's responsibility at such a young age and in such trying times. I also like how this book didn't smother the reader in the complicated web of politics that dominated that time period. Not saying there wasn't any politics- just that it wasn't overwhelming.
Great job, Andrea Warren, for a book well written.
I immediately liked how easy this book was to read and how smooth the words flowed. When I began reading this book I thought it would be a normal run of the mill biography. I didn't imagine that it would be a tantalizing adventure in bleeding Kansas right smack in the middle of the civil war and that I would go from reading about the west to reading about England and the Queen. It was exciting and informative reading about Billy Cody and how he had to step up and take on a grown man's responsibility at such a young age and in such trying times. I also like how this book didn't smother the reader in the complicated web of politics that dominated that time period. Not saying there wasn't any politics- just that it wasn't overwhelming.
Great job, Andrea Warren, for a book well written.
May 6, 2016
This book was actually quite fun. I wanted to read it because I am from Cody, Wyoming--the town Buffalo Bill founded. I never really knew about his early life, so this was rather interesting to me. He was a very unique and upbeat child, thrown into adult roles long before he should have. His optimism and enthusiasm was inspiring. He was just a good kid, turned into an honest and good man. I rather enjoyed getting to know him better. This history is aimed at kids, so it didn't get into a lot of detail and didn't go deep into any events. That was fine by me, because some histories can be quite boring to read because of all the detail and long drawn out stories/events. This briefly covered a lot of moments in his life without getting boring. I would definitely recommend this book to any kid or adult wanting to learn a little more about the famous Buffalo Bill.
October 5, 2015
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC! I enjoyed the book because I really did not know anything about Buffalo Bill, and this book did a good job of giving the history (and showing what may or may not be rumor) about the man. That being said, I took off a star because I thought it was a little disorganized when I got to the notes at the end. I felt like those facts could have been included throughout instead of added as an afterthought at the end. I also did not like getting to the end of his life and then jumping back into some main events. It made it a little harder to read. The ebook made it confusing because the captions were not with the pictures, but I got the hang of it. Interesting read that combined the info on Bleeding Kansas with the story of Buffalo Bill.
October 16, 2015
I began this book wanting to get a balance of non-fiction in my reading. At first, I thought I would tolerate it as a children's book, but I quickly gained interest as Warren detailed not only Bill Cody's life, but the historical events around his life. There was a definite emphasis on Bloody Kansas and it's fight over slavery--sometimes I forgot that the book was supposed to be about Billy. Some might see that as a disclaimer (Billy forgotten while history was detailed), but I personally enjoyed reading the historic accounts and found it highly educational.
The Kansas neighbor battles against each other for the pro/anti slavery issue is somewhat detailed and may not be good for young children.
*I received this book from the publisher for my honest review via Net Galley*
The Kansas neighbor battles against each other for the pro/anti slavery issue is somewhat detailed and may not be good for young children.
*I received this book from the publisher for my honest review via Net Galley*
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