Book Review for COURAGE HAS NO COLOR

Book Review by Allie Davis
MLIS 5603 Literature for Children and Young Adults

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Stone, Tanya Lee., and Ashley Bryan. Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles: America's First Black Paratroopers. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2013. ISBN 0763665487

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
     From the beginning, author Tanya Lee Stone captures the attention of the reader with her ending line of Chapter One, “What is courage? What is strength?  Perhaps it is being ready to fight for your nation even when your nation isn’t ready to fight for you.”  The Forward by author Ashley Bryan establishes credibility and awareness to the segregation of the American Military during WWII as he writes how he faced similar circumstances during his time as a soldier in the same war.  The author’s passion for bringing awareness to the discrimination and segregation faced by Black soldiers during the war begins early in Chapter 2 as the reader finds out that these soldiers, who had completed the same training as their White counterparts, were actually kept from fighting, instead doing jobs such as building roads or sweeping and cooking.  Included information about racial discrimination and White privilege cannot be avoided in a topic of this complexity, but side-by-side, with it, is information about White men such as Clark Gable and FDR who fought for equality and to end the segregation.
     The introduction speculates on the historical contexts of many possibilities about why military segregation was still so prevalent, including movies and ads of the 1930s.  It continues in a logical sequence, although not exactly chronologically, demonstrating how Walter Morris trained the Black paratroopers to jump after hours to rebuild their morale, detailing his fear when he is called to General Gaither’s office to report on his behavior, and recalling his relief when he learns of the soon-to-be creation of the 555^th Paratroopers Infantry. 
     As with all good non-fiction books, Stone includes a Table of Contents, Story Behind the Story, Appendix, Timeline, Source Notes, Bibliography, Photo Credits, Index, and Acknowledgements at the end of her book.  She even shares how she researched for both the text and photographs, again bringing credibility to the inspirational story of how 1^st Sergeant Walter Morris became instrumental in the creation of the Tuskegee Airmen and their stories, including men such as Jesse Mayes, Bradley Biggs, Samuel Robinson, and others.  Elements of segregation are backed up with primary sources from first-hand accounts such as the book The Employment of Negro Troops.  Actual WWII pictures of military warplanes, soldiers jumping, men in uniform, etc. add exciting elements to the text for middle and high school student and adults alike.
     Part of the attractiveness of this book is that questions related to the segregation of Black troops in the U.S. Military during WWII are not presented in a biased or propaganda-filled agenda to promote modern-day racism.  These questions are asked in rhetorical style followed with though-provoking background information so readers can form their own opinions.  The distinct prejudices and segregation of the time period are not coated-over, but are described in clear detail, capturing the attention of readers of all ages who are intrigued by the emotions and determination these Black soldiers maintained as they “were fighting the world’s worst racist, Adolph Hitler, in the world’s most segregated army.”—Stephen Ambrose, historian. 

AWARDS  
·         Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books (WON AWARD in 2013) 
·         American Library Association Notable Books for Children (WON AWARD in 2014) 
·         NCTE Orbis Pictus Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD in 2014) 
·         William Allen White Children's Book Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD in 2016) 
·         Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD in 2014) 


 REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

 ·         Horn Book Guide, “The World War IIera 555th Parachute Infantry Company, nicknamed the Triple Nickles, didn't actually fight anywhere, as white soldiers didn't want to fight alongside black soldiers. The book's focus is wide: there are sections on segregation and stereotypes, Japanese American internment camps, Japanese balloon bombs, the Battle of the Bulge, and Operation Firefly, brought to life with archival photographs and Stone's always clear prose.” © June 5, 2013
·         School Library Journal, “…The photographs and the design of the book as a whole are a gift to readers. Rich with detail, the pictures not only complement the narrative, but also tell a stirring story of their own, chronicling the triumphs and frustrations of the soldiers as they pursued their dreams. Complete accessibility to a wide range of readers, coupled with expert research and meticulous care, makes this a must-have for any library.-Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA…” © January 1, 2013
·         Voice of Youth Advocates, “…This will appeal to readers who like history, adventure, and the military. Stone presents the true story of African-Americans in the 1940s earning their right to fight. African-American regiments were the only places in which African-American officers could serve. Demoralized by menial jobs, soldiers segregated from fighting felt disconnected from the military. Adolph Hitler was racist and, ironically, it was racism at home that kept African Americans from seeing combat against him. Stone's historical account of the 555th Platoon, or Triple Nickels, is well researched and the amount of information presented is nearly overwhelming. Her strength as an author is that she makes rereading the text a joy. Courage Has No Color is enhanced by photographs and artwork on nearly every page. Primary source accounts from the 555th Paratrooper unit, as well as from military and political leaders, broaden the reader's understanding of how America allowed hatred to overshadow hope, even in the face of evil like Adolph Hitler...” © April 1, 2013
·         Booklist, "…Starting with a riveting opening that puts readers into the shoes of a paratrooper on a training flight, this large-format book offers an informative introduction to the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion. Known as the Triple Nickles, they were America's first black paratrooper unit. Though WWII brought increased racial integration to the military, the pace was painfully slow. This book traces the paratroopers' story through their training and their long wait for orders to join the fighting overseas-orders that never came. Instead, the Triple Nickles were sent to fight fires in remote areas of western states. Decades passed before the men were officially honored for service to their country. Written with great immediacy, clarity, and authority, Stone's vivid narrative draws readers into the Triple Nickles' wartime experiences…” © February 1, 2013

CONNECTIONS

Use as an introduction unit to WWII (1939-1945), Military/War/History/Army, African-American soldiers, and race discrimination.
https://vimeo.com/57600789
https://sharemylesson.com/teaching-resource/courage-has-no-color-274791
https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=33034
http://howtoteachanovel.blogspot.com/2013/03/courage-has-no-color.html

 

 

 Gather similar Black Soldiers of WWII books to read such as:

·       Hill, Ezra M.  The Black Red Tail Angels: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman and the Aviators. ISBN 162563434X
·       Garza, Hedda.  Without Regard to Race: The U.S. Military After World War II. ISBN 0531201961
·       Perritano, John.  Tuskegee Airman. ISBN 060638586X

Gather more Tanya Lee Stone titles to read such as:
Link to author, Tanya Lee Stone: http://tanyastone.com/
·       Girl Rising: Changing the World One Girl at a Time. ISBN  0553511467

·       Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote. ISBN 0312602367
·       Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. ISBN: 0763645028

Gather other Publisher's Weekly Best Children's Books to read such as:
·       Sidman, Joyce. Before Morning. ISBN  0547979177
·       Leonard, M.G. Beetle Boy. ISBN 054585346X
·       Savit, Gavriel. Anna and the Swallow Man. ISBN  0553522086