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Award-winning author enthralls Lincolnshire students

Daniel Wright Junior High School students sat enthralled Tuesday as author Steve Sheinkin discussed his nonfiction historical books, including the award-winning "The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights," and "The Notorious Benedict Arnold."

Almost 650 students from the Lincolnshire school listened to Sheinkin as he discussed how he got into writing and explained his interest in making historical events interesting to young readers.

"Basically, my hope is to take those history stories that can be very boring and make them into books that are fun to read," he said. "(Students) had some great questions. They had read some of these books over the summer and were prepared to ask questions about them."

Sheinkin has twice received The Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Nonfiction and his book "Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon," was recognized as a Newbery Honor Book, National Book Award finalist, and winner of the Sibert Award. "Lincoln's Grave Robbers" was both the 2014 Notable Children's Book and the 2013 Parent's Choice Award for Nonfiction.

"I thought he was pretty entertaining and he answered all my questions," said seventh grader Alex Southworth, who has read two of Sheinkin's books. "I thought he put more detail into the books and I kind of felt like I was actually there."

  Author Steve Sheinkin spoke to students at Daniel Wright Junior High School in Lincolnshire on Tuesday. The award-winning author discussed his narrative nonfiction books based on historical figures and events. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Author Steve Sheinkin answers questions about his books from students at Daniel Wright Junior High School in Lincolnshire on Tuesday. The award-winning author discussed his narrative nonfiction books based on historical figures and events. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
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