Martin W. Sandler (born February 11, 1933) is an American historian, writer and teacher, the author of more than 50 books about American history and photography. Notable works include Secret Subway (2009), The Impossible Rescue (2012), Imprisoned (2013), How the Beatles Changed the World (2014), Iron Rails, Iron Men, and the Race to Link the Nation (2015), The Whydah (2017), Apollo 8 (2018), 1919 (2019), and Race Through the Skies (2020). Among other honors, he won the 2019 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.

Martin W. Sandler
Sandler at his desk, December 2021.
Sandler at his desk, December 2021.
BornMartin William Sandler
(1933-02-11) February 11, 1933 (age 91)
New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States
Occupation
  • Author
  • Historian
  • Television producer and writer
Education
GenreAmerican History
Notable works
Notable awards
Signature

Early life and education

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Sandler was born February 11, 1933, in New Bedford, Massachusetts.[citation needed]

He attended Providence College on a baseball scholarship, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in history; he later earned a Master of Arts in history from Brown University.[1]

Career

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Sandler worked as a history and English teacher and baseball coach at Quincy Central Junior High School in Quincy, MA[2] and head of school at Stowe Preparatory Academy in Stowe, Vt. He subsequently taught American Studies at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Smith College.[3] While a teacher, Sandler endeavored to revitalize the teaching of secondary-school history with a 1971 textbook, The People Make a Nation, that called on students to draw conclusions about history from examining and interpreting primary sources, instead of memorizing facts and narratives.[4]

Awards and honors

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Eleven of Sander's books are Junior Library Guild selections: Vaqueros (2001),[5] America Through the Lens (2005),[6] Secret Subway (2009),[7] The Impossible Rescue (2012),[8] How the Beatles Changed the World (2014),[9] Iron Rails, Iron Men, and the Race to Link the Nation (2016),[10] The Whydah (2017),[11] Apollo 8 (2018),[12] Race Through the Skies (2020),[13] Picturing a Nation (2022),[14] and Shipwrecked! (2023).[15]

Sandler's books have regularly been included on year-end lists:

  • In 1979, The Story of American Photography was named one of the year's best nonfiction children's books The Horn Book Magazine.[16]
  • In 2012, The Impossible Rescue was named one of the year's best children's books by Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal.[citation needed] The following year, Bank Street College of Education included it on their list of the best history books for children ages 12-14.[17]
  • In 2012, Through the Lens was named a history book of "outstanding merit" for children ages 9-12 by Bank Street College of Education.[18]
  • In 2016, Iron Rails, Iron Men, and the Race to Link the Nation was named one of the year's best history books for children ages 14 and up by Bank Street College of Education.[19]
  • In 2017, The Whydah was named one of the year's best nonfiction children's books by New York Public Library (NYPL) and School Library Journal.[20][21] The following year, the Association for Library Service to Children named it among the year's Notable Children's Books,[22] and Bank Street College of Education named it a history book of "outstanding merit" for children ages 12-14.[23]
  • In 2019, 1919 was named one of the year's best children's books by The Washington Post.[24] The following year, Bank Street College of Education named it one of the year's best history books for children ages 14 and older.[25]
  • In 2019, Apollo 8 was named a history book of "outstanding merit" for children ages 12-14 by Bank Street College of Education.[26]
  • In 2021, Picturing a Nation was included on Booklist's list of the year's "Top 10 Arts Books for Youth".[27] The following year, Bank Street College of Education named a history book of "outstanding merit" for children ages 12-14 by .[28]
  • In 2023, Shipwrecked! was named one of the year's best children's books by the NYPL.[29] The following year, Bank Street College of Education named Shipwrecked! one of the year's best history books for children ages 12-24.[30]
Awards for Sandler's writing
Title Year Award Result Ref.
1919 2019 Cybils Award for Junior High Nonfiction Finalist [31]
National Book Award for Young People's Literature Winner [32][33][34]
2020 Orbis Pictus Award Honor [35]
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Nominee [36]
Apollo 8 2018 Cybils Award for Junior High Nonfiction Finalist [37]
Imprisoned 2013 Cybils Award for Young Adult Nonfiction Winner [38][39]
2014 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist [40]
The Impossible Rescue 2013 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Nominee [41]
Lincoln Through the Lens 2008 Cybils Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Nonfiction Finalist [42]
Race Through the Skies 2021 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Nominee [43]
Secret Subway 2010 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist [44]
Shipwrecked 2024 Sibert Medal Honor [45]
The Wydah 2018 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist [46][47]
2019 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Nominee [48]
Cybils Award for Junior High Nonfiction Winner [49]

Selected publications

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Sole author

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With Others

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  • with Edwin C. Rozwenc and Edward C. Martin, The People Make a A Nation, Boston: Allyn and Bacon (1971) ISBN 0-3167-7022-1

References

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  1. ^ Harder, Jeff (April 2013). "All in Good Time". Cape Cod Life Publications. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  2. ^ "Martin Sandler has dozens of books to his credit, no plans to retire". Cape Cod Times. September 10, 2010. Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  3. ^ "History's Omnivore: Martin Sandler Takes Home a National Book Award".
  4. ^ Kelsey, Buddy (August 1974). "Review:Untitled". The History Teacher. 7 (4): 619–622. doi:10.2307/492070. JSTOR 492070. Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  5. ^ "Vaqueros: America's First Cowmen". Junior Library Guild. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  6. ^ "America Through the Lens". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  7. ^ "Secret Subway: The Fascinating Tale of an Amazing Feat of Engineering". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  8. ^ "The Impossible Rescue: The True Story of an Amazing Arctic Adventure". Junior Library Guild. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  9. ^ "How the Beatles Changed the World". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  10. ^ "Iron Rails, Iron Men, and the Race to Link the Nation: The Story of the Transcontinental Railroad". Junior Library Guild. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  11. ^ "The Whydah: A Pirate Ship Feared, Wrecked, and Found". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  12. ^ "Apollo 8: The Mission That Changed Everything". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  13. ^ "Race through the Skies: The Week the World Learned to Fly". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  14. ^ "Picturing a Nation: The Great Depression's Finest Photographers Introduce America to Itself". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  15. ^ "Shipwrecked!: Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  16. ^ "Horn Book Fanfare 1938 to present". The Horn Book. Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  17. ^ "Best Children's Books of the Year, Twelve to Fourteen, 2013 Edition" (PDF). Bank Street College of Education. 2013. p. 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  18. ^ "Best Children's Books of the Year, Nine to Twelve, 2012 Edition" (PDF). Bank Street College of Education. 2012. p. 16. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  19. ^ "Best Children's Books of the Year, Fourteen and Older, 2016 Edition" (PDF). Bank Street College of Education. 2016. p. 10. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  20. ^ "The Whydah". New York Public Library. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  21. ^ Cappiello, Mary Ann (December 18, 2017). "The Best of 2017". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  22. ^ "Notable Children's Books: 2018". Booklist. April 1, 2018. Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  23. ^ "Best Children's Books of the Year, Twelve to Fourteen, 2018 Edition" (PDF). Bank Street College of Education. 202. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  24. ^ Barron, Christina (November 21, 2019). "The best children's books of 2019". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  25. ^ "Best Children's Books of the Year, Fourteen and Older, 2020 Edition" (PDF). Bank Street College of Education. 2020. p. 16. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  26. ^ "Best Children's Books of the Year, Twelve to Fourteen, 2019 Edition" (PDF). Bank Street College of Education. 2019. p. 13. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 1, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  27. ^ Smith, Julia (October 15, 2021). "Top 10 Arts Books for Youth: 2021". Booklist. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  28. ^ "Best Children's Books of the Year, Twelve to Fourteen" (PDF). Bank Street College of Education. 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  29. ^ "Best Books for Kids 2023". New York Public Library. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  30. ^ "The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2024 Edition, Twelve to Fourteen" (PDF). Bank Street College of Education. 2024. p. 10. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  31. ^ "2019 Cybils Finalists". Children's and Young Adult Book Lover's Literary Awards. Archived from the original on November 5, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  32. ^ "2019 National Book Award Winners". National Book Foundation. Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  33. ^ Kantor, Emma (November 21, 2019). "Martin W. Sandler Wins 2019 NBA for Young People's Literature". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on August 23, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  34. ^ Wilkes, Stephanie (December 11, 2019). ""Progress is never in a straight line." | Martin W. Sandler, 2019 National Book Award Winner, Talks History". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on August 24, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  35. ^ Dávila, Denise; Aziz-Raina, Seemi; Chaudhri, Amina; Costner, Suzanne; Grabarek, Daryl; Rodriguez, Sanjuana; Waugh, Julie (November 1, 2020). "Children's Literature Reviews: 2020 Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction". Language Arts. 98 (2): 100–108. doi:10.58680/la202030993. ISSN 0360-9170.
  36. ^ "Nonfiction Award Nominations". YALSA. Archived from the original on September 16, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  37. ^ "2018 Cybils Finalists". Children's and Young Adult Book Lover's Literary Awards. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  38. ^ "2013 Cybils Winners". Archived from the original on November 5, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  39. ^ "2013 Cybils Award Winners Announced". Children's Book Council. February 18, 2014. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  40. ^ "YALSA 2014 Nonfiction Award". American Library Association. December 4, 2014. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  41. ^ "2013 Nonfiction Award Nominations". Archived from the original on March 8, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2013.
  42. ^ "2008 Cybils Finalists". Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  43. ^ "Nonfiction Award Nominations". YALSA. Archived from the original on September 16, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  44. ^ "2010 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award Nominations". Archived from the original on July 5, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2013.
  45. ^ "LibLearnX:The Library Learning Experience". American Library Association. January 22, 2024. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  46. ^ ""2018 Nonfiction Award Nominations", American Library Association". American Library Association. February 20, 2018. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  47. ^ Roback, Diane (February 12, 2018). "Kelly, Cordell, LaCour Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  48. ^ "Vermont Golden Dome Book Award". Vermont Department of Libraries. Archived from the original on August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  49. ^ "2017 Cybils Winners". Children's and Young Adult Book Lover's Literary Awards. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  50. ^ "Pioneers by Martin W. Sandler". Publishers Weekly. January 31, 1994. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  51. ^ "Immigrants". Booklist. April 15, 1995. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  52. ^ "Presidents". Booklist. March 1, 1995. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  53. ^ "Civil War". Booklist. March 15, 1996. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  54. ^ "Inventors". Booklist. March 15, 1996. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  55. ^ "America! A Celebration". Booklist. December 15, 2000. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  56. ^ "Vaqueros: America's First Cowmen". Booklist. January 1, 2001. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  57. ^ "Photography: An Illustrated History". Booklist. April 15, 2002. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  58. ^ "America's Great Disasters". Booklist. June 1, 2003. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  59. ^ "Galloping across the USA: Horses in American Life". Booklist. September 15, 2003. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  60. ^ "Riding the Rails in the USA: Trains in American Life". Booklist. September 15, 2003. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  61. ^ "ISLAND OF HOPE: The Story of Ellis Island and the Journey to America by Martin W. Sandler". Publishers Weekly. March 22, 2004. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  62. ^ "America Through the Lens: Photographers Who Changed the Nation". Booklist. September 1, 2005. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  63. ^ "Resolute: The Epic Search for the Northwest Passage and John Franklin, and the Discovery of the Queen's Ghost Ship". Booklist. October 15, 2006. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  64. ^ "Resolute: The Epic Search for the Northwest Passage and John Franklin, and the Discovery of the Queen's Ghost Ship by Martin W. Sandler". Publishers Weekly. October 1, 2006. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  65. ^ "Atlantic Ocean: The Illustrated History of the Ocean That Changed the World by Martin W. Sandler". Publishers Weekly. October 27, 2008. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  66. ^ "Lincoln through the Lens". Booklist. September 15, 2008. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  67. ^ "The Dust Bowl through the Lens: How Photography Revealed and Helped Remedy a National Disaster". Booklist. November 1, 2009. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  68. ^ "The Secret Subway: The Fascinating Tale of an Amazing Feat of Engineering". Booklist. June 1, 2009. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  69. ^ "Lost to Time". Booklist. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  70. ^ "The Impossible Rescue: The True Story of an Amazing Arctic Adventure by Martin W. Sandler". Publishers Weekly. August 20, 2012. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  71. ^ "Kennedy through the Lens". Booklist. February 1, 2011. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  72. ^ "Imprisoned: The Betrayal of Japanese Americans during World War II". Booklist. November 12, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  73. ^ "The Letters of John F. Kennedy by John F. Kennedy". Publishers Weekly. July 29, 2013. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  74. ^ "The Letters of John F. Kennedy". Booklist. October 1, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  75. ^ "Why Did the Whole World Go to War? And Other Questions about World War II". Booklist. March 15, 2013. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  76. ^ "How the Beatles Changed the World by Martin W. Sandler". Publishers Weekly. November 25, 2013. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  77. ^ "How the Beatles Changed the World". Booklist. February 1, 2014. Archived from the original on March 22, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  78. ^ "Who Were the American Pioneers? And Other Questions about Westward Expansion". Booklist. February 1, 2014. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  79. ^ Leeper, Angela (September 1, 2015). "Iron Rails, Iron Men, and the Race to Link the Nation: The Story of the Transcontinental Railroad". Booklist. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  80. ^ "Apollo 8: The Mission that Changed Everything by Martin W. Sandler". Publishers Weekly. November 26, 2018. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  81. ^ "Apollo 8: The Mission That Changed Everything". Booklist. September 15, 2018. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  82. ^ "1919: The Year That Changed America". Booklist. November 1, 2018. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  83. ^ "1919: The Year That Changed America by Martin W Sandler". Publishers Weekly. November 19, 2018. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  84. ^ "Race Through the Skies: The Week the World Learned to Fly by Martin W Sandler". Publishers Weekly. July 23, 2020. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  85. ^ "Race through the Skies: The Week the World Learned to Fly". Booklist. May 1, 2020. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  86. ^ "Picturing a Nation: The Great Depression's Finest Photographers Introduce America to Itself by Martin W Sandler". Publishers Weekly. July 8, 2021. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  87. ^ Smith, Julia (September 15, 2021). "Picturing a Nation: The Great Depression's Finest Photographers Introduce America to Itself". Booklist. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  88. ^ "Shipwrecked! Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor by Martin W Sandler". Publishers Weekly. August 31, 2023. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  89. ^ "Shipwrecked! Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor". Booklist. August 2023. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.