Sheinkin, Steve. The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, mutiny, and the fight for Civil Rights. New York: Roaring Book Press, 2014.
Summary
- Several hundred African American Navy recruits are sent to a small northern port in the San Francisco Bay. Thinking they were going to sea to fight the Nazis, they were actually put to work on the grueling and terrifying task of loading ammunition on to large ships. The men in charge where all white and would bet on who's team could load the most of this very dangerous cargo that the men were not prepared to do. One spring night two large ships filled with tons and tons of ammunition blew up, killing hundreds of men, mostly African Americans. When forced to return to work loading more ammo and bombs 50 refused which led to the largest mutiny case in the US .
Quantitative Reading Level
ELA, Social Studies - American History
CCSS Standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.2
Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.3
Identify key steps in a text's description of a process related to history/social studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.7
Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.8
Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text.
Curriculum Resources
1. Write a biography of one of the men in the story
2. Wonderful WONDERFUL websites here
Digital Connections
1. Research other examples of segregation during WWII in the military.
2. Research other examples of how the military expanded rights for a group and how that expanded rights throughout society.
Other resources
Interview with Steve Sheinkin
Created by TeenReads.com
Interview with Steve Sheinkin
Created by Read the Spirit
Meet-the-Author Book Reading with Steve Sheinkin
Featured title: The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights
Created by TeachingBooks.net with thanks to Roaring Brook / Macmillan
Personal Website for Steve Sheinkin
Tags
Social Studies-American History, English Language Arts Pleasure Reading Middle School