Bessie Smith and the Night Riders

"Bessie Smith and The Night Riders," was an incredible book. The story starts with the famous Bessie Smith coming to the town of Concord to perform a concert. Emmarene Johnson wanted so badly to go to the concert, but she didn't have a dress or money to go. The night of the concert the little girl waited for everyone to go in the tent. Once everyone was in she went to the side of the tent and peeked in. She was enjoying the show just like everyone else when all of a sudden she heard something. She peered to the other side of the tent and she could see the night riders. They were all in their white sheets and they were ready to take the tent down. Emmarene Johnson ran into the tent and told Bessie Smith what was going on. Bessie Smith show more walked out of the tent and started to yell and move her arms all around that she scared the night riders horses and sent them running away. Everyone was so proud of Bessie Smith and the little girl decided that she was going to be like Bessie Smith and stand up for herself. This story was incredible because it actually happened. The story is a little more dramatic than what actually happened but it still had many true aspects to it. The story does a great job to teach children about the historical time in 1927. Even the words that the author used in the book made it feel like we were actually there. Also, the illustrator created amazing pictures that invite the readers in and make them feel like they are actually present in the story. It truly was an incredible story about the past and it really is a good book to read to young children to introduce them to this time. show less

This fictional story "is based on a true event that occurred in July 1927" in Concord, North Carolina. The main character, Emmarene, is anticipating the arrival of Bessie Smith and her Blues performance. Unfortunately, Emmarene didn't have "shoes, a Sunday dress, [or] change in her pocket to see the Empress of Blues." Determined, Emmarene sneaks up close to the tent to get a look at Bessie, but she stumbles upon an appending attack from the Night Riders, or Klu Kux Klan. The Night Riders don't realize who they are up against though, because Bessie Smith wouldn't have it. She stands up for herself, and in turn, teaches Emmarene she can stand up for herself as well.

"Bessie Smith and the Night Riders" by Sue Stauffacher is a short story based in 1927 about a terrifying event that happened to Bessie Smith and young Emmarene Johnson. Bessie Smith is a singer, a great one according to Emmarene and Bessie is singing in the story in a nearby tent for anyone to see. Emmarene would love to see her sing, but she has no money, nor fancy clothes to wear to this high class event, so she decides to watch from afar. Not to long after the Night Riders also known as the KKK decide to attack the event. Most people decide to run, but Bessie takes action. According to Emmarene " The was the night I learned you can look the devil in the eye and spit on the ground"(page 31). The setting of this book really makes you show more think of all the hate that was passed around through race just 90 years ago and how much people have changed for the better. It also makes you feel the fear in African Americans hearts when the night riders came back in the 1920's and 30's and how much change has progressed from then. This book can be read at a 2nd grade level, but can be informative to all. show less

Bessie Smith, a famous African American blues singer, had come to Concord! People from everywhere lined up to see her from the time she road in on her own train. Draped in pearls and a feathered boa and a shimmering dress, Bessie was the "cat's meow"! Her performance was to take place under a tent that night. One little black girl who really wanted to see Bessie perform could not afford the price of a ticket. So she did they next best thing. She hid behind the tent and lifted the curtain...just to get a peep. Then she noticed that the KKK had come to burn down Bessie's tent with all of those Black people inside. The little girl ran in the tent and told Bessie what was happening outside. Well, Bessie went straight at those Klansmen and show more told them they'd better run. Bessie stood her ground and the Klansmen rode off into the night, never to come back. After everything went back to normal, Bessie finished her show with one particular person getting a special seat...right in the front. show less

It's a good story, but the book as a whole makes me uncomfortable for some reason that's hard to put a finger on. Perhaps it's the pictures, which look too stereotyped to me. Perhaps it's the depiction of the Klan, which doesn't really capture enough menace. Perhaps it's the voice, which has some noticeable dialect features, but isn't consistent. (It's told in first person by a poor Southern child, which is indicated by a dialect usage every 3 pages or so.) Perhaps it's the reference to Bessie Smith's weight, when she's drawn (incorrectly) as quite thin. Perhaps it's the idea that Bessie Smith chases off the Klan by flapping her arms and moaning, which as far as I can tell from the text *accidentally* spooks their horses.

I was very shocked that a children's book would show "night riders." It had a good story line, and used a very southern slang that would have been used as the date set in the book. It was a good book, but I'm not sure if I would read it to children. The book is a little too racy to read to children. I'm not sure if I would even read it during black history month. The type of students I would read it to, would be the older students who have learned about the night riders, then this book would be appropriate. This book definitely illustrates what black people had to go through during that time. It is a very true to life book and should be read to class who understands it ahead of time.

This was such an incredible book. Bessie Smith and the Night Riders is a story based on the true event that happened in 1927. Bessie Smith was a famous blues singer and was admired by many. She was especially admired by Emmarene Johnson. When Bessie Smith was in town for a show, Emmarene wished so badly she could go but didn't have money for the right clothes to attend. She followed Bessie and watched from outside the tent. But when she peaked around the side she saw the night riders all dressed in long white coats on horses with lit torches in their hands. They were ready to burn the tent down with all the black people in it. Emmarene warned Bessie and everyone inside. Bessie was not scared, she went out there and yelled at them show more eventually scaring them off. The book ends with an incredible line: "I decided that if Bessie Smith wasn't going to take no mess, then nither was Emmarene Johnson." Wow, this story really touched me. I can't believe this was a true story and black people when through stuff like this daily from the Ku Klux Klan. Also, I never heard of Bessie Smith before this book so this story taught me a lot. I really enjoyed it because I learned from it. You can tell how fearful blacks were whenever the night riders were around. It breaks my heart for them. But you can see how much we have progressed since them. This story can be very informative for younger children. The pictures in this story were also very great. You can see the facial expressions on the characters so clearly. I really enjoyed this book and younger children will too. show less