The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights by Steve Sheinkin
Written by: Steve Sheinkin
Originally Published in: 2012
Taking place during WWII, this book covers the story of fifty African American sailors on Port Chicago, California. On this port, white sailors give orders, while the African American sailors load bombs and ammunition onto battleships. When an explosion happened on base, over 300 men were killed. Some of the surviving sailors refuse to return to work when none of the unsafe conditions are addressed. Fifty of those men, all being African American, were charged with mutiny and threatened with execution. This story highlights the continued narrative of prejudice which African American men in America’s armed forces during World War II, as they strived to serve a country that didn't care for their safety.
This book is targeted to middle school students. I think it would be best for grades 6th-8th, as there is some language in the book that may be inappropriate for some students and is over 200 pages. As this book also confronts death in the military, it may be difficult for some students to read, as this may have happened to someone they know, so you would be careful to recommend this book to some students. However, this may resonate to some students, as they may have faced prejudice and discrimination like the 50 men, but probably not to the same extent. This may spark some conversation regarding the Civil Rights movement as well as Jim Crow laws and would be a good way to begin a Civil Rights movement unit.
Other information:
The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights is a Juvenile Nonfiction & Historical novel.
**citation based on newer version**
Sheinkin, S. (2017). The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights. Square Fish.
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250073495
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