Men of the 65th: The Borinqueneers of the Korean War

Men of the 65th: The Borinqueneers of the Korean War
by Talia Aikens-Nuńez
Zest Books, 2023
Grades 5 and up

Men of the 65th is a fast-paced expository story about a loyal and decorated Puerto Rican regiment in the US Army. The 65th Infantry Regiment, also know as the Borinqueneers, was formed in 1899 as a segregated unit relegated to non-combat duties. However, the 65th Regiment was approved for combat in 1950 and played an instrumental role in combat missions in the Korean War.

Aikens-Nuñez has done extensive research to bring the story of the 65th Regiment to life. Following a chronological structure, the story is fast-paced and builds in excitement as the soldiers train and are sent to Korea where they bravely fought. Readers will feel like they are on the battlefield along side the Borinqueneers. Near the end of the Korean War, 91 soldiers from the 65th Regiment were court-martialed and found guilty of disobeying orders and desertion. It was the largest court martial of US Soldiers. The book sheds light onto the factors the led to the court-martial and the fall-out in the media and with military and political leaders.

Visual are placed thoughtfully throughout the book to support the story including maps, black & white photographs, and newspaper clippings. Sources notes and a selected bibliography are evidence of the intense research that went into the book. Put this book in the hands of fans of military history stories. I guarantee they have not read a story like this before!

Women Heroes of World War I & Reporting Under Fire

Women Heroes of World War 1: 16 remarkable resisters, soldiers, spies, and medics 
by Kathryn J. Atwood
Women in Action series
Chicago Review Press. 2014
ISBN: 9781613746868
 -- and
Reporting Under Fire: 16 daring women war correspondents and photojournalists
by Kerrie Logan Hollihan
Women in Action series
Chicago Review Press. 2014
ISBN: 9781613747100
Grades 8 and up
This reviewer used copies that were sent by the publisher.

We all know war is dangerous. Not only for the soldiers doing the fighting, but also for those who go underground to work as spies or resistance fighters to being on the front lines as a reporter. Though I have only seen these two entries in the Women in Action series, I was impressed with how well the books cover the topics in an engaging writing style that immediately draws readers in.

Using dialogue, direct quotes, document and diary experts, Women Heroes of World War I tells the true stories of 16 women from around the world who served their countries during their time of war. The book is divided into four sections: Resisters and Spies, Medical Personnel, Soldiers, and Journalists. At the beginning for each section, Atwood includes historical background information that gives readers a full understanding of what was happening at the time. Though most names will be unfamiliar to many, they were to me -- Edith Cavell, Marthe Cnockaert, Louise de Bettignies, Flora Sandes -- I did recognize American mystery writer Mary Roberts Rinehart. The fast-paced narratives recounts the suspense-filled stories of these exceptional women, many who would be caught and executed, fighting for freedom. 

Reporting Under Fire is similar in format as it recounts the remarkable exploits of 16 women who risked their lives to bring back the scoops from the front lines. The book is divided into six sections: World War I, 1914-1918; Between World Wars, 1920-1939; A Second World War, 1939-1945; A Cold War, 1945-1989; Ancient Peoples, Modern Wars, 1955-1985; A Challenge That Never Ends, 1990-Present. Some of the women included are Henrietta Goodnough, aka Peggy Hull, Louise Bryant(her time with husband John Reed is the story of the film, Reds), Dorothy Thompson, Janine di Giovanni, Robin Wright, and Martha Raddatz. Also, Martha Gellhorn, considered one of the greatest war correspondents of the 20th century, and photographer Margaret Bourke-White.  

Hollihan's narrative is exciting and sheds light on not only the dangers these women faced, but their struggles to be accepted in a field historically dominated by men. 

Back matter for these books include maps, historical black & white photographs, epilogue, glossary, notes, sidebars, bibliography, and index.

Each of the women portrayed in these books were as different as they could be. Some might have been more clever or more gifted in their field, yet their commitment to their ideals is inspiring. Their stories are worth reading, both for they role in our history, and for the opportunities they made possible for the next generation of adventurous young women.

Courage Has No Color by Tanya Lee Stone

Courage Has No Color: the True Story of the Triple Nickles, America’s First Black Paratroopers 

By Tanya Lee Stone 
Candlewick Press. 2013 
ISBN: 9780763651176 
Grades 8 and up 
I borrowed a copy of this book from my local public library. 

 Prejudice is a flaw of human nature, but awareness and education are powerful weapons against it, according to award winning nonfiction writer Tanya Lee Stone. 

In Courage Has No Color, Stone examines the long history of racial discrimination in the US military through the history of the first black paratroopers, the 555th: The Triple Nickles. Though very well-trained, the 555th never saw active combat, yet their perseverance and hard work paved the way for those who came after. Despite facing negative attitudes and prejudice, 

Why would a black man risk his life to help his country? The answer was simple. This is my country, my children’s country, and their children’s. It is up to me and many, many people of all races and cultures to fight the haters and racists to make this a better place to live, said Walter Morris, a leader in forming the Triple Nickles. Morris retired from the military in 1946. 

The book is well-researched using primary and secondary sources, as well as interviews with the remaining Triple Nickles. According to the author’s note, Stone admits this was, perhaps my hardest book to write to date. Much of the Triple Nickles story was scattered in obscure places through the decades. It took several years to sift through all the information to tell the 555's story. Readers will find the writing engaging with the story unfolding in chronological order. Black and white photos are spread throughout, making the reading experience even better with visual tie-ins. Back matter includes author’s note, appendix of key players in the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, timeline of desegregation and the Triple Nickles, source notes, and index. 

Click here to see the book trailer.
 
A thought-provoking read on a timely subject.

From the Backlist -- Dogs on Duty by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent

Dogs on Duty : Soldiers’ Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyond

By Dorothy Hinshaw Patent

Walker & Company. 2012

ISBN: 9780802728456

Grades 2 – 5

To write this review, I checked a copy of the book out of my local public library.

Dogs are man’s best friend. We’ve reached for the tissues when reading Finding Zasha (Barrow), Cracker! : The best dog in Vietnam (Kadohata), Letters from Wolfie (Sherlock), and Eyes of the Emperor (Salisbury). 

In Dogs on Duty, Dorothy Hinshaw Patent goes one step further to fill us in on just how much we've depended on a dog's special senses during wartime and what it takes to turn a lovable, playful puppy into a canine commando that will faithfully serve in every branch of the military. We learn which breeds have traits best suited to the job, the training process, and the final placement as a Military Working Dog(MWD). (Not all dogs become a MWD). 

What do they do as a Military Working Dogs? They jump out of aircrafts and float to earth in a parachute, sniff out explosives, find hidden illegal weapons and drugs, and help find dangerous land mines. They may wear cooling vests and goggles if working in a desert, heavy assault armor for protection in battle, or booties to protect their feet from cold and ice. Small dogs are used in submarines.  And when the mission is over, they comfort their handlers with a lick and a warm snuggle.

The straightforward text is complimented by color photos that capture the dogs at work and play.  Sidebars give more details about some special dogs. In one heartbreaking sidebar we learn about Afghanistan War Hero Hound, Eli.Eli accompanied Marine Corps LCpl. Colton Rusk in Afghanistan. While at work in a dangerous area of Afghanistan in December 2010, Colton was shot and died. The Marine Corps decided to retire Eli, even though he was only four years old, so that Colton’s family could adopt him. Eli provides a loving bridge between Colton and his grieving family.

What I found hard to comprehend was the vast number of dogs used. By late 2011, United States forces had 2,700 dogs on active duty. The training facility at Lackland Air Force Base (TX)is expecting to train around five hundred dogs a year, with no end in sight. The goal of the puppy-raising program there is eventually to provide about 30 percent of US MWD’s. Where do the other dogs come from? Lackland staff travel throughout the US and Europe to find young dogs with the right traits for military careers to join the Lackland puppies for training.

Included are websites and books for further reading, a glossary, index, and a list of sources used by the author.

Though sobering in its subject, Dogs on Duty will complement any display about working animals or books about war.

The U.S. Army by Matt Doeden

The U.S. Army
by Matt Doeden
Pebble Plus: Military Branches series
Capstone Press, 2009
ISBN: 9781429617338
Gr. K-2

The reviewer borrowed a copy of the book from her school library.

In honor of Memorial Day, we're featuring a book from the Military Branches series published by Capstone in 2009. We typically review newly published books on our blog, but this series is a huge hit with the K-2 crowd in my library.

Each book in the Military Branches series is designed the same way. A full page color photograph is placed on the right side of the page with text on the left page. Using simple text, the author describes   tasks that soldiers perform. Ample white space and a large font make the text accessible to young readers.

"Army pilots fly helicopters. Pilots use Black Hawk helicopters to carry soldiers and supplies." (p.8)

Male and female soldiers are shown riding in Humvees, repairing engines, and providing medical treatment to children. Back matter includes a glossary, list of books for further reading, and related web sites. Other books in the series include The U.S. Air Force, The U.S. Coast Guard, The U.S. Marine Corps, and The U.S. Navy.

I've found this series fits a niche in our K-2 nonfiction collection. The children in my library often request books about the military, but many books are geared toward older readers or focus on weapons instead of soldiers. The Pebble Plus series provides young readers with a glimpse into military life while providing children an opportunity to practice their reading skills and learn new vocabulary words.

World War I: An Interactive History Adventure

World War I: An Interactive History Adventure
by Gwenyth Swain
You Choose Books- Capstone Press, 2012
ISBN 9781429660204
Gr. 3-7

The reviewer borrowed a copy of the book from her school library.

There seem to be three major categories of nonfiction books for children:
1) Curriculum books that teachers use with classes as part of math, science and social studies lessons
2) Research book that students check out when they're looking for information for a research project
3) Pleasure reading nonfiction books that kids read independently (The Guinness Book of World Records, the DK Eyewitness series, and anything by Nic Bishop fall into this category.)

I recently came across a nonfiction series from the third category that is a hot commodity in the library. Kids stop by daily to see which books have been recently returned. The books are part of the Interactive History Adventure series by Capstone, and they're modeled after the old Choose Your Own Adventure books from the 1970s and 80s.

I brought home a few books from the series to read to see what the buzz is about, and I found myself sucked into the stories. Each book begins with a page titled "About Your Adventure." Here's a passage from the introduction to World War I:

"YOU are a young person coming of age as the world explodes in war. What will you do? How will you face the horrors of worldwide conflict? In this book you'll explore how the choices people made meant the difference between life and death. The events you'll experience happened to real people."

The story is written in the second person narrative making the reader the main character. At the beginning of World War I, I had to choose to live in Belgium, join the British military or join the American troops. I chose the British military and followed the instructions on the bottom of the page to turn to page 43.

After a series of choices, I ended up as an infantryman in Wales. While delivering a message to the command post, I was shot and killed. Immediately, I turned back to the beginning of the book to try another path. It is obvious why the books are so appealing to middle grade readers. The stories are full of adventure and suspense, and there are dozens of possible stories to follow within one book. The author does not shy away from the violence or bloodshed of war which contributes to the kid appeal.

You see David lying nearby. Blood is gushing from a wound to his head.  You rush to his side but forget to stay low to the ground. A German bullet strikes you, and you fall. (p. 63)

Black and white photographs, maps and illustrations throughout the book help paint a picture of historical events for young readers.  Back matter includes a timeline, glossary, bibliography, and index.

Essentially the books in the Interactive History series are a hybrid of fiction and nonfiction.  It's evident from the bibliography that Swain researched World War I when writing the stories, however the book contains invented dialogue and fictionalized characters.


Boom! A huge explosion rocks the ship. You and Joe are thrown from the deck. 

"What's happening?" you shout.

"It must be a German torpedo," Joe yells back. (p. 21)

For that reason, this is not the book I would hand to a student researching World War I for a class assignment. It is a book that I would give to reluctant readers. The length of the stories and the action-packed scenes from history will hook them right away. There are more than two dozen titles in the series covering topics such as the Titanic, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Salem Witch Trials. So far the books have accomplished two things in my library: they have attracted more readers to the nonfiction section, and they are serving as springboards to other history books. That makes me one happy librarian.

Visit the Capstone site to view a page from a book and to see the list of available titles:
http://www.capstonepub.com/product/9781429665926

Dolphins in the Navy by Meish Goldish

Dolphins in the Navy 
By Meish Goldish

(America’s animal soldiers)

Bearport Publishing. 2012

ISBN: 9781617724510

(Grades 1-6)

Reviewer obtained a copy of this book from the publisher.

America's Animal Soldiers is a new series for 2012 by Bearport Publishing. The aim of the series is to highlight the animals that help the military. There are four titles in the series that include dolphins and sea lions that hunt for deadly sea mines, to dogs that are trained to sniff out bombs. 

I reviewed Dolphins in the Navy by Meish Goldish, which looks at the Marine Mammal Program that trains dolphins to locate sea mines. The reason dolphins are highly prized, along with sea lions, “is their ability of finding things in the water” using echolocation. Dolphins also help the Navy locate possible terrorists who are swimming in the water. We are told that the dolphins in the Navy receive excellent care to insure they are healthy and happy. 

Each page includes a color photograph that corresponds to the text.  Additional facts are written on dog tags that are interspersed throughout the chapters. The 24 pages are aimed at students in grades 1-6. A useful addition to military sections.

Note: Briefly mentioned are the negative feelings by some towards the Marine Mammal Program. However, the book clearly  states that the Navy never places the mammals in risky situations. According to the author “dolphins that work for the Marine Mammal Program are in less danger from their work than those that live in the wild – which may be killed and eaten by sharks or fed unsafe food by people.” Goldish further claims that, “So far, no animal in the Marine Mammal Program has ever been injured or killed on the job.” 

Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds

Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds
By Marissa Moss, Illustrated by John Hendrix
Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2011
ISBN 9780810997356
The reviewer obtained a copy of this book from the Southern Maine Library District's examination collection.

 War, disguises, espionage...Middle grade readers will eat up this exciting picture book biography. In Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, Marissa Moss details how courageous, nineteen year-old Sarah served as a spy for the North during the Civil War. Sarah originally disguised herself as a man to escape an arranged marriage, and she quickly found that life as a man brought freedom and independence. Sarah wanted to help her country, so signed up to fight with the North during the Civil War. Once enlisted, Sarah proved to be better at shooting and riding than most men her age. She also took on the difficult roles of battlefield nurse and surgeon. When asked by a Union chaplain to spy on the Southern troops, Sarah disguised herself as freed slave and cunningly infiltrated enemy lines to gather information to bring back to her troops.


"Freedom, she knew, wasn't something to take for granted. It was something to fight for, to cherish. And so long as her heart was beating strong, that's just what she would do."

Pen & ink and acrylic illustrations capture the intensity of the Civil War and the danger involved with Sarah's work as a spy. The illustrations are truly unique. Hendrix uses monochromatic blue and orange illustrations on some pages to direct readers’ attention to the background or foreground. In one double-page spread, blue tones capture the gravity of war as Sarah nurses a wounded soldier in an army tent in the foreground. In the background, orange and green contrasting colors are used to illustrate a soldier with one leg as he watches houses burning on the horizon. Typefaces from broadside posters are used to highlight important quotes like, "I'm Your Man!"

An author's note in the back of the book includes more details about Sarah Edmonds' contributions to American history. Moss points out that hundreds of women on both sides posed as men during the Civil War, yet Edmonds is the only woman to be recognized as a veteran of the American Civil War.

Nurse, Soldier, Spy would make an exciting read aloud for an upper elementary or middle school classroom. It’s also a book that boys and girls will enjoy reading independently and may serve as a springboard to other books about the Civil War.

5 Stars
(Grades 3-6)

Check out Betsy Bird's review of Nurse, Soldier, Spy on the Fuse #8 Production blog:
 http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2011/05/23/review-of-the-day-nurse-soldier-spy-by-marissa-moss/

Wrapped in Foil compares Nurse, Soldier, Spy to Carrie Jones' 2011 book, Sarah Emma Edmonds Was a Great Pretender: http://blog.wrappedinfoil.com/2011/07/sarah-emma-edmonds-in-the-spotlight/