World War II was raging, with thousands of American soldiers fighting overseas against the injustices brought on by Hitler. Back on the home front, the injustice of discrimination against African Americans was playing out as much on Main Street as in the military. Enlisted black men were segregated from white soldiers and regularly relegated to service duties.
At Fort Benning, Georgia, First Sergeant Walter Morris's men served as guards at The Parachute School while the white soldiers prepared to be paratroopers. Morris knew that in order for his men to be treated like soldiers, they would have to train and act like them, but would the military elite and politicians recognize the potential of these men, as well as their passion for serving their country? Tanya Lee Stone examines the role of African Americans in the military through the lens of the untold story of the Triple Nickles as they became America's first black paratroopers and fought a little-known World War II attack on the American West by the Japanese. The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, in the words of Morris, proved that the color of a man had nothing to do with his ability.
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"Fascinating look at pioneering soldiers and inspiring story of their important impact on history. Very strong nonfiction for students in late elementary or middle school." — Amy (4 out of 5 stars)
"Fascinating look at pioneering soldiers and inspiring story of their important impact on history. Very strong nonfiction for students in late elementary or middle school."
" interesting topic and well written but it didn't sing to me like some nonfictions in the last few years have done. May just have been me though. Very disturbing inequality. "
" Reviewed professionally. "
" children's nonfiction. "
" Currently listening to the audio. "
" Relatively short account of the first Black paratroopers. Most of the treatment of Black soldiers during WWII was known to me, but this was still interesting. "
" While the book was well-written and easy to read, I found it a little too brief. "
" Stone has meticulously researched this important story that is also an engaging read. "
" This story of the first black paratroopers is inspiring and engaging. I felt so many emotions while reading: outrage, pride, and yes, I cried (a few times). "
Tanya Lee Stone is an award-winning author of books for kids and teens. Stone went to performing arts high school in New Haven, CT and went on to major in English at Oberlin College and study voice at Oberlin Conservatory. After graduation she moved to New York and became an editor. Stone was an editor for more than a dozen years and has a masters degree in science education. She teaches writing for children at Champlain College.
JD Jackson is a theater professor, aspiring stage director, and award-winning audiobook narrator. He is a classically trained actor, and his television and film credits include roles on House, ER, Law & Order, Hack, Sherrybaby, Diary of a City Priest, and Lucky Number Slevin. He is the recipient of more than a dozen Earphones Awards for narration and an Odyssey Honor for G. Neri’s Ghetto Cowboy, and he was also named one of AudioFile magazine’s Best Voices of the Year for 2012 and 2013. An adjunct professor at Los Angeles Southwest College, he has an MFA in theater from Temple University.
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