The Port Chicago 50, by Steve Sheinkin

The story: In 1944, an enormous explosion rocked Port Chicago, CA. 258 men were killed–and almost every one of them was black. This is the story of systemic racism that divided the United States Navy during World War 2, and the historic court battle that followed the refusal of the Port Chicago 50 to go back to the dangerous work of loading ammunition.

The librarian says: I had never heard of this slice Civil Rights history, although it was a huge disaster right here on American soil. It was heartbreaking to see this example of racism, but also somewhat encouraging to see that things actually have come quite a long way since then.