History's Worst: Bonnie and Clyde by James Buckley Jr. - OPTIONAL

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