The Port Chicago 50
Books | Juvenile Nonfiction / History / United States / 20th Century
3.9
Steve Sheinkin
An astonishing World War II military story of civil rights from New York Times bestselling author and Newbery Honor recipient Steve Sheinkin.A National Book Award FinalistA YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction FinalistA School Library Journal Best Book of the YearOn July 17, 1944, a massive explosion rocked the segregated Navy base at Port Chicago, California, killing more than 300 sailors who were at the docks, critically injuring off-duty men in their bunks, and shattering windows up to a mile away. On August 9th, 244 men refused to go back to work until unsafe and unfair conditions at the docks were addressed. When the dust settled, fifty were charged with mutiny, facing decades in jail and even execution.The Port Chicago 50 is a fascinating story of the prejudice and injustice that faced black men and women in America's armed forces during World War II, and a nuanced look at those who gave their lives in service of a country where they lacked the most basic rights.This thoroughly-researched and documented book can be worked into multiple aspects of the common core curriculum, including history and social studies.“Sheinkin delivers another meticulously researched WWII story, one he discovered while working on his Newbery Honor book, Bomb...Archival photos appear throughout, and an extensive bibliography, source notes, and index conclude this gripping, even horrific account of a battle for civil rights predating Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)Also by Steve Sheinkin:Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous WeaponThe Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & TreacheryUndefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football TeamMost Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam WarWhich Way to the Wild West?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About Westward ExpansionKing George: What Was His Problem?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the American RevolutionTwo Miserable Presidents: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the Civil WarBorn to Fly: The First Women's Air Race Across America
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Author
Steve Sheinkin
Pages
208
Publisher
Roaring Brook Press
Published Date
2014-01-21
ISBN
1596439831 9781596439832
Community ReviewsSee all
"The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights was a very interesting and enlightening read. Steve Sheinkin is a master at bringing life stories and historical events that are seldom heard of or written about in history books. During WWII, black men were only allowed to serve in the navy on shore and in some of the most menial or dangerous jobs. Many black men were loaders of ammunition for warships headed to the front but were untrained in this capacity and forced to work long shifts in unsafe working conditions. Following the Port Chicago incident where a small explosion caused a larger more devastating blast to occur killing a total of 320 seamen, 202 of which were black men, most of the black men were afraid to go back to work in the capacity of loaders. Following a long and unfair trial, 50 young black men who were afraid to go back to work were charged with mutiny, imprisoned and dishonorably discharged from the navy. The first hand accounts of the events leading up to, during and following the trial of these 50 young men really hit home the injustices that black people faced and the rampant racism that took place in the armed forces, especially the navy. Highly recommended to history buffs but also to anyone looking for something different but true!"
A F
Allison Freeman