Review: Killers of the Flower Moon (Adapted for Young Readers)

I recently picked up a hardback of “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI (Adapted for Young Readers)” from a local Barnes and Noble. I read the original version a few years ago and found it fascinating and terrifying at the same time. Even though this edition is adapted for young readers, it does not downplay the brutality of the story or the level of corruption that allowed murders to continue virtually unchecked for years.

This adaptation does a good job of explaining some of the intricacies of the story, including headrights, the guardianship system, and mineral rights. It discusses the multi-faceted corruption at the local and state levels in 1920’s Oklahoma. It explains how law enforcement was adapting to modern techniques during the time period. 

I’ve read a number of reader reviews for both editions of “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Many of them ask how they had never heard of this story before? I teach history (mostly World History) and have a degree in history, but I had not heard of it either. History curriculum at the K-12 level tends to focus on sweeping political history with a smattering of social issues at a surface level. 

This is a great book for students interested in U.S. History, the FBI, and/or Native American history (particularly as it relates to U.S. government policy). If I was teaching a U.S. History course, I would push to include this book for all students to read.