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Richie's Picks: THE PORT CHICAGO 50: DISASTER, MUTINY, AND THE FIGHT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS by Steve Sheinkin, Roaring Brook, January 2014, 208p., ISBN: 978-1-59643-796-8
At the conclusion of THE PORT CHICAGO 50, author Steve Sheinkin points out that the fifty defendants in this racist miscarriage of military justice are all now deceased, and so it is too late to fully remedy what was done to them. Nevertheless, as the author notes, there are people who know the story who are still seeking to exonerat ...more
At the conclusion of THE PORT CHICAGO 50, author Steve Sheinkin points out that the fifty defendants in this racist miscarriage of military justice are all now deceased, and so it is too late to fully remedy what was done to them. Nevertheless, as the author notes, there are people who know the story who are still seeking to exonerat ...more
I read this book to prepare myself to hear the author, Steve Sheinkin, speak locally. I had previously read his book, BOMB, which I had really enjoyed.
PORT CHICAGO 50 deals with the treatment of African Americans during WWII. I was totally unfamiliar with the story. I am embarrassed to see how these 50 men (and the others also involved) were treated. I have since learned that this book is nominated for a National Book Award.
I was super impressed with Steve Sheinkin. He was a great speaker and ve ...more
PORT CHICAGO 50 deals with the treatment of African Americans during WWII. I was totally unfamiliar with the story. I am embarrassed to see how these 50 men (and the others also involved) were treated. I have since learned that this book is nominated for a National Book Award.
I was super impressed with Steve Sheinkin. He was a great speaker and ve ...more
Sheinkin has proven himself to be THE master of nonfiction kid's lit. This is a story that needed to be told, and Sheinkin weaves the story like an expert. Throughout the U.S., these men were seen as mutineers and lucky to have avoided an execution squad. But at a certain point in this book, the reader has to stop and ask his or herself (at least I had to stop an ask) What would I have done in this situation? What if I had volunteered to serve my country and had been limited to mundane but dange
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This is some awesome narrative non fiction about a group of African American sailors at the time of World War 2. They join the Navy with the idea that they will be able to help fight for freedom at a time when segregation is reaching its peak. They are frustrated with their treatment by people of the community but especially their treatment by the Navy, where they are treated like servants rather than warriors. This particular group is asked to load munitions, for which they are completely untra
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Steve Sheinkin has a talent for taking the details in a huge story (desegregation of World War II military) and turning them into a fascinating story of how individuals create history. I love his examination of each of the main characters of the Port Chicago revolt. We learn about the racism rampant in the military, the country, and even the San Francisco Bay Area. We also learn about the desire that many men had to do more for their country, at the risk of losing their own lives, until it becam
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Based on how many awards this book has won this year I had to give it a go. It's a great read for a student who wants to hear a new story about race relations in the 20th century and somebody who is interested in how the trial process works.
So I appreciate how Sheinkin took an event that isn't covered in the history textbooks and essentially gave kids a reason to read what is in the history textbooks more closely and more informedly. Though this book focuses on a bunch of dead and largely forgo ...more
So I appreciate how Sheinkin took an event that isn't covered in the history textbooks and essentially gave kids a reason to read what is in the history textbooks more closely and more informedly. Though this book focuses on a bunch of dead and largely forgo ...more
Steve Sheinkin is the David McCullough of children's/YA non-fiction and I expect we'll see an Newbery for book Monday. Always readable and fascinating, Sheinkin takes this seeds of the civil rights movement and puts them together in a fine story that explains to us in the 21st century how horrible and unjust the second world war was for African-American soldiers. A massive explosion in 1944 at a naval base in California was the result of unsafe working conditions. Two hundred black sailors, thos
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Nonfiction is not exactly my favorite genre to read. I wouldn't even describe "Bomb"-which I loved and read in one sitting-as a page-turner. This book was a page-turner. The story is fascinating and infuriating. These unsung heroes deserve for everyone to know and appreciate the sacrifices and contributions they made to their country. And to history. A must-read.
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A little known, racially charged, historical event that led to the desegregation of the military following World War II. Very readable and informative.
Finally a great book to break this streak of less than great books! I could not put this MG/YA non-fiction book down. Sheinkin did a great job of presenting this information in an easy to read narrative form. I enjoyed this one more than Sheinkin's "Bomb".
This was a very interesting part of military and civil rights history that is not well known, but should be. Some language, the N word and mother f-ers (written exactly like that-from court transcripts). Probably best for grades 6 and up. ...more
This was a very interesting part of military and civil rights history that is not well known, but should be. Some language, the N word and mother f-ers (written exactly like that-from court transcripts). Probably best for grades 6 and up. ...more
I love to learn about something totally new to me. During WWII, African Americans were allowed in the Navy but they were limited to certain jobs. These guys were required to load explosives onto Navy ships. The white officers would often places wagers on which ship would fill first regardless of the dangers of loading ship quickly. The was a devastating explosion and those sailors left refused to load explosive until changes were made. Those sailors were charged with mutiny.
Fantastic! Worth noting that a few instances of particularly salty sailor language makes this a teen pick.
Apr 29, 2014
Lisa Nagel
marked it as to-read
Sep 10, 2014
Kristen
marked it as to-read
Jan 29, 2015
Vicki
marked it as to-read
Mar 01, 2015
Heather
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
narrative-nonfiction,
nonfiction,
historical,
diverse-voices,
middle-grade,
boy-books,
world-war-ii,
ya
