Fallout Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown

Steve Sheinkin, a New York Times bestselling author, delivers a thrilling narrative nonfiction account of the Cold War. This follow-up to his award-winning book, 'Bomb,' takes readers on a journey through the post-World War II era as the United States and the Soviet Union engage in a dangerous competition to build more destructive weapons and dominate the Space Race. Filled with tales of spy planes, armed submarines, and undercover agents, the book vividly portrays the precarious decades-long showdown that nearly led to a third world war during the Cuban Missile Crisis. While the publisher lists an age range of 4-11, the complex subject matter and length of 352 pages make it most suitable for late elementary and middle school readers, roughly ages 9-14, who are ready for an immersive historical thriller.

New York Times bestselling author Steve Sheinkin presents a follow up to his award-winning book Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon, taking readers on a terrifying journey into the Cold War and our mutual assured destruction. As World War II comes to a close, the United States and the Soviet Union emerge as the two greatest world powers on extreme opposites of the political spectrum. After the United States showed its hand with the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, the Soviets refuse to be left behind. With communism sweeping the globe, the two nations begin a neck-and-neck competition to build even more destructive bombs and conquer the Space Race. In their battle for dominance, spy planes fly above, armed submarines swim deep below, and undercover agents meet in the dead of night. The Cold War game grows more precarious as weapons are pointed towards each other, with fingers literally on the trigger. The decades-long showdown culminates in the Cuban Missile Crisis, the world's close call with the third—and final—world war. A Shelf Awareness Best Children's Book of 2021 A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book of 2021 A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of the Year Praise for BOMB: A Newbery Honor book A National Book Awards finalist for Young People's Literature A Washington Post Best Kids Books of the Year title “This is edge-of-the seat material that will resonate with YAs who clamor for true spy stories, and it will undoubtedly engross a cross-market audience of adults who dozed through the World War II unit in high school.” —BCCB, starred review “...reads like an international spy thriller, and that's the beauty of it.” —School Library Journal, starred review “[A] complicated thriller that intercuts action with the deftness of a Hollywood blockbuster.” —Booklist, , starred review “A must-read...” —Publishers Weekly, starred review “A superb tale of an era and an effort that forever changed our world.” —Kirkus Also by Steve Sheinkin: The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War Which Way to the Wild West?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About Westward Expansion King George: What Was His Problem?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the American Revolution Two Miserable Presidents: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the Civil War Born to Fly: The First Women's Air Race Across America