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The Boy Who Became Buffalo Bill

Growing Up Billy Cody In Bleeding Kansas

History books typically say that the Civil War started on the East Coast in 1861. But here in eastern Kansas where I live, we know it actually began in 1854 along the border between Missouri and Kansas Territory in what became known as the Border War. We refer to that time as “Bleeding Kansas.”

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I wanted to share this history, and I decided to tell it through the eyes of the boy the world would one day know as Buffalo Bill. William F. Cody—called Billy by his family—was born in Iowa in 1846. His parents opposed slavery and moved to Kansas Territory in 1854 to help in the struggle to make Kansas join the Union as a free state. The Territory was a violent place and when Billy was eleven, his father was killed by a pro-slaver. To support his mother and siblings, Billy herded livestock and rode the Pony Express.

In his older teens he was also caught up in the conflict. He rode with the anti-slavery Jayhawkers in raids on Missouri, and then he enlisted in the Union Army, working as a scout and spy, and fighting at the Battle of Westport. 

After the war his skill as a buffalo hunter earned him the name “Buffalo Bill.” Fame followed when he started his traveling Wild West show. He died a legend, remembered not only as a showman, but for using his fortune and influence to champion many causes, including aiding Native Americans, supporting women’s right to vote, and conserving America’s natural resources.

 

In my book, readers learn about the conflict over slavery in Kansas.  Most importantly, they meet a heroic boy who stepped into adult shoes to care for his family and fight for his country.

Buffalo Bill Cody

Buffalo Bill Cody

Reviews

“Gripping and intelligent read.”

-- Publishers Weekly


“A well-researched, engagingly written . . . portrait of a fascinating, complex figure.”

-- Kirkus Review


“This unputdownable adventure reveals the human side of Buffalo Bill.”

-- School Library Journal

Interview

Awards

  • Selection as one of the 250 most important books related to Kansas by the Kansas State Library in celebration of America's 250th anniversary.
     

  • Outstanding Book Award, First Place, American Society of Journalists & Authors
     

  • Kansas Notable Book Award
     

  • Thorpe Menn Literary Excellence Finalist Award
     

  • Junior Literary Guild Selection
     

  • Keynote addresses for Kansas City Public Library; Big Tent Read, Raven Bookstore, Lawrence, Kansas; Gertrude Strong Literature Lecture, University of Kansas

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