The 54th was the first official Black regiment of the Union Army. For these men, it was imperative that the flag carried by their color guard never touch the ground. It represented a more just America where they might be free.
During the battle at Fort Wagner in South Carolina, William Carney—who was formerly enslaved and escaped to freedom—saw the guard go down, and picked up the flag himself. Despite being shot several times and injured, William carried the flag across the battlefield to Union lines, becoming a hero.
William Carney was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for this act, defying widespread racial discrimination and prejudice. This book celebrates his remarkable life and impacts on his communities. His story still reverberates to this day. The movie Glory is based on the actions of the 54th.
Author
Gary Golio
A visual artist, musician, and psychotherapist, Gary Golio is the author of the New York Times-bestselling picture book Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow, which received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, as did his recent Calkins Creek book Everywhere Beauty Is Harlem. Gary’s other titles, most of which profile important artists, include When Bob Met Woody, Strange Fruit, Sonny Rollins Plays the Bridge, and The Soldier’s Friend. He lives in the Hudson Valley with his wife, children’s book author Susanna Reich. Visit garygolio.com.
Learn More about Gary GolioIllustrator
E. B. Lewis
The recipient of a Caldecott Honor and an Orbis Pictus Award, along with many others, E. B. Lewis is the illustrator of more than seventy books for children. His Calkins Creek titles include Invincible by Wade Hudson, Seeking Freedom by Selene Castrovilla, and Lizzie Demands a Seat by Beth Anderson, which won Bank Street College of Education’s Flora Stieglitz Straus Award for excellence in nonfiction, along with many other honors. He is also the illustrator of Everywhere Beauty Is Harlem, also by Gary Golio. Visit eblewis.com for more information.
Learn More about E. B. Lewis