HornBook Magazine
"Pre-Civil-War-era paintings, engravings, and photos show the major players and give a sense of the time period and culture, while maps help readers follow the events of the narrative."
School Library Journal
11/01/2021
Gr 6–9—This fascinating look at the complex life of Black Seminole leader John Horse, a warrior, diplomat, and champion for his people, follows his tireless search for freedom, safety, and home. Foundational background is given about Seminole Indians and Black Seminoles (descendants of Seminoles and free Blacks and escaped slaves) as well as the First Seminole War, the Indian Removal Act, and the Second Seminole War. It was during the Second Seminole War that John Horse, a skilled negotiator, interpreter, guide, and advisor, began to rise to leadership. Horses's life and travels are detailed as he sought peace and security for his people through the southern United States, and eventually Mexico. Escapes, deportations, challenges, promises, possibilities, and perilous situations marked Horse's quest. He worked determinedly to find a new home for Black Seminoles, who had unresolved and changing statuses during this time of the mid-to-late 1800s. Horse was constantly negotiating to encourage protection, treaties, land grants, and autonomy for his people. Engravings, photographs, illustrations, and painting adorn most of the full-color pages, with chapters providing just enough information to feel thorough without feeling overwhelming. Well laid-out and engaging, this biography shows the significant impact John Horse had on the rights, recognition, freedom, and protection of Black Seminoles, who were considered slaves by Americans and Seminoles. The volume wraps up with additional information on battles, places of refuge, rescues, and expeditions. A time line, author's note, chapter notes, bibliography, and index round out the book. VERDICT An important examination of a historical figure who hasn't been featured that often in books for young readers.—Amanda MacGregor, Parkview Elem. Sch., Rosemount, MN
Kirkus Reviews
2021-07-14
Discover the life of Juan Cavallo, also known as John Horse.
John Horse was a Black Seminole born in 1812. His father was Seminole, and his mother was of Native American and African descent. This book follows the forced nomadic movements of the group as, led by John Horse, they made their way from the Southeastern U.S. to Mexico. Each chapter follows their journey to a new, hopefully safer land only for them to be disappointed again. One of the best-known facts about the Seminole Nation is how they helped with the Underground Railroad and saw themselves as protectors for runaway slaves, confronting the former White enslavers and claiming to be the runaways’ new masters. Aided by archival illustrations, Turner’s straightforward account contextualizes that and other facts, informing readers that the Black Seminole lived as free people, apart from paying a share of their harvest for protection against these incidents. The book is written in an easy-to-digest manner; although it does not go into great detail, it is an excellent introduction to the history of the Seminole, who went from prisoners and slaves in the U.S. to being seen as valuable for their skills at the U.S.–Mexico border. Turner traces the ebbs and flows of politics, from Gen. Thomas Sidney Jesup’s policy of containment that ended the Second Seminole War to U.S. Attorney General John Y. Mason’s cancellation of that scant protection.
A worthy celebration of a life too little known. (timeline, author’s note, source notes, bibliography) (Nonfiction. 10-14)
