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

Here's another book review from this year's Sequoyah Intermediate Book List.  The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights by Steve Sheinkin is a true account about a group of black men serving in the Navy during World War II.  They joined the service after Pearl Harbor determined to serve our country, but were treated unfairly.  The event is not widely known and is still controversial topic.

The armed services were still segregated, and the men were assigned to work at the Port Chicago Naval Base.  Their job was to load the bombs onto the ships.  They worked 3 - 8 hour shifts, received no training, but they all knew how dangerous their jobs were.  Sure enough, on July 17th, 1944, there was a huge explosion.

Many black soldiers lost their lives instantly, but the story continued for the men sleeping in the barracks.  The next day they were reassigned to another Navy base; but when faced to do the same job, they refused.  Was this an act of mutiny?

I will definitely be recommending this book.  I'm even looking forward to possibly doing a research project with the social studies department.  You'll want The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights by Steve Sheinkin in your collection.