The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights

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 Finalist
A YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

On 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 Weapon
The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery
Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team
Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War
Which Way to the Wild West?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About Westward Expansion
King George: What Was His Problem?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the American Revolution
Two Miserable Presidents: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the Civil War
Born to Fly: The First Women's Air Race Across America

Author: Steve Sheinkin
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Published: 01/21/2014
Pages: 208
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.30w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9781596437968
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 6.7
Point Value: 6
Interest Level: Upper Grade
Quiz #/Name: 163116 / Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights


Award: Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards - Winner
Award: Texas Lone Star Reading List - Commended
Award: Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Recommended
Award: National Book Awards - Finalist
Award: Cybils - Finalist
Award: Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award - Nominee


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 11/11/2013
Kirkus Reviews 12/15/2013
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 02/01/2014
School Library Journal 02/01/2014 pg. 128
Booklist 02/01/2014 pg. 58
Shelf Awareness 01/28/2014
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2014 pg. 146
PW Best Children's Books 11/03/2014 pg. 44
Kirkus Best Middle Grade Books 11/15/2014 pg. 94
PW Children's Starred Reviews 12/01/2014 pg. 80
NY Times Notable Bks of Year 12/07/2014 pg. 35
SLJ's Best Books 12/01/2014 pg. 28
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2014 - Superior,Well Above Average

About the Author

Steve Sheinkin is the award-winning author of several fascinating books on American history, including The Notorious Benedict Arnold, which won the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults, the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for nonfiction, and received three starred reviews; and Bomb, a National Book Award finalist and recipient of five starred reviews. He lives in Saratoga Springs, NY.