Born: June 10, in Sumter, South Carolina

Genre: Historical fiction

Biography | Books | Awards and Honors | In the Classroom | Bulletin Board

Clinton Cox

Since childhood, Clinton Cox has had a strong interest in history, particularly the African-American experience. He attended Goddard University and majored in English and psychology. He went to graduate school at Columbia University and studied journalism. Cox has written articles for numerous magazines and newspapers and was twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

Clinton Cox lives in Schenectady, New York, with his wife.

Selection of Awards and Honors

• Two Pulitzer Prize nominations
  
• Page One Award for Best Local Reporting in a Magazine from the Newspaper Guild of New York
  
• CBS/NCSS Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies for Mark Twain: America's Humorist, Dreamer, Prophet; The Forgotten Heroes: The Story of the Buffalo Soldiers; and Undying Glory: The Story of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment

Clinton Cox's Booklist

Here is a selected list of the author's published work.

African American Healers
By Clinton Cox, Jim Haskins
John Wiley & Sons, 176 pp., ages 9-12

This collection of profiles tells the inspiring stories of twenty-five African American healers-the men and women who made invaluable contributions to the advancement of medical science.

Come All You Brave Soldiers: Blacks in the Revolutionary War
By Clinton Cox
Scholastic, 208 pp., ages 9-12

Over 5,000 black men-some slaves, some free-enlisted in the Continental Army and risked their lives to gain freedom for a country that enslaved and oppressed them and their families. "Cox astutely introduces the hypocrisy of a nation who fights for freedom while enslaving others; he also accurately presents the racial attitudes of the time through documents, letters, and speeches."-Kirkus Reviews

Mark Twain: America's Humorist, Dreamer, Prophet
By Clinton Cox
Scholastic, 234 pp., ages 9-12

This introduction to the life of Mark Twain examines his many achievements as a riverboat pilot, newspaper reporter, adventurer, satirist, and author of many classic works, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Fiery Vision: The Life and Death of John Brown
By Clinton Cox
Scholastic Press, 230 pp., ages 9-12

This story traces the life of abolitionist John Brown and recounts his 1859 insurrection at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. "…A riveting narrative."-Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Undying Glory: The Story of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment
By Clinton Cox
Scholastic, 176 pp., ages 9-12

This fascinating look at the African Americans who fought for the Union Army during the Civil War describes how these men proved their courage in battle, despite being treated like second-class soldiers. "Cox vividly brings to life the history of this regiment in a text that resonates with conviction and passion."-Horn Book

The Forgotten Heroes: The Story of the Buffalo Soldiers
By Clinton Cox
Scholastic, 176 pp., ages 9-12

This historical account follows thousands of black cavalrymen who were recruited by the U.S. government to open the West after the Civil War.

In the Classroom

Assign groups and ask each group to select one of Clinton Cox's books. First, introduce your students to each book by giving a brief summary, sharing your opinion about it, and reading an interesting passage. Ask each group to select and read a book, and to prepare a class lesson based on the book. Encourage your students to collect family stories, to do further research, and to use other media in their lesson, i.e. movie clips, photographs, poetry, etc.

Welcome to the Children's Literature Bulletin Board!

Please share your activity and lesson plan ideas, or read about how other educators use Cox's books in their classrooms on our Children's Literature bulletin board.