History’s Worst: Bonnie and Clyde by James Buckley Jr., 147
pages. NON-FICTION Aladdin, 2018. $19.
Content: Language: PG (3 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence:
PG-13.
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
This is a biography of notorious criminals
Bonnie and Clyde from the 1930’s. The book
gives a glimpse into Bonnie as a child and younger teen as someone who always
liked an adventure and had a thing for bad boys. Clyde liked having money and wasn’t afraid to
break the law to get it. When the two met
they fell in love and were inseparable until the day they were gunned down by
the law. There illegal behavior and
disregard for others is outlined through run-ins with the law. As their notoriety increased, the ability to
allude the cops was hindered and the FBI got involved, which led to their deaths.
I enjoyed this short, non-bias look at these
two outlaws. It gives the facts without trying
to play on emotions and paints a realistic picture of the crimes they
committed. My two issues with this book
are that first, the cover and reading level is for younger readers, but the amount
of torture, death and murders committed is a bit much for a younger crowd as
well as the mention of Clyde being sexually assaulted in prison. Second,
the author emphasizes how much the pictures of Bonnie and Clyde were a big part
of them becoming well known and led to their capture, referring to specific pictures
throughout, but not one picture is included in the book which was
frustrating. If you can get your middle and high school readers to pick it up, they would enjoy it.
C. Peterson
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