From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…
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What Members Thought
Excellent narrative nonfiction that opens readers' eyes to a little-known piece of history. During World War II, black Navy enlistees were not allowed to go to sea with white sailors other than as cooks or stewards. The only other assignments for them were on shore. At Port Chicago in California, black regiments were assigned to load live munitions onto ships, dangerous work for which they received no training. When an explosion took the lives of hundreds of men, over 200 of the survivors were f
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As usual, Sheinkin writes compellingly and cogently about history. In this case, a little known, at least to me, important historical injustice. I weep frequently at just how imperfect our union is.
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
Apr 29, 2014
Lisa Nagel
marked it as to-read
Sep 10, 2014
Kristen
marked it as to-read
Jun 11, 2022
Angie
marked it as to-read
Feb 04, 2025
Jillian
added it
