The true story of Sergeant William (Bill) Shemin, an American soldier who fought in World War I. He was dedicated, fearless, and brave.

Hero Number One: Sgt. William Shemin fought with the U.S. Army’s 4th Division, which is known as the “Ivy” Division because the Roman Number 4 is composed of an I before a V–IV- so its nickname is “Ivy.” A Jewish American, Bill Shemin bravely raced across no man’s land to rescue wounded American soldiers under heavy German gunfire on a hot August day in France in 1918 and saved the lives of several of his comrades.

Hero Number Two: Henry Johnson, an African American soldier who, like Bill, fought bravely in World War I–not far from Bill’s battlefields in France in 1918.

Hero Number Three:  Elsie Shemin-Roth fought for many years after her father’s death to have the U.S. government award him the Medal of Honor that rightfully should have been awarded at the time of his service in World War I. President Barack Obama corrected this nearly 100-year-old mistake on June 2, 2015, by awarding both Shemin and Johnson posthumous Medals of Honor at a White House Ceremony, forever linking these two great American heroes.

William Shemin was discriminated against because he was Jewish, and there was a pronounced mood of anti-Semitism in the U.S. in 1918. Anti-Semitism is unfortunately once again on the rise in the U.S.

Henry Johnson was discriminated against because he was African American at a time when African Americans were severely discriminated against in the U.S. Army and throughout American life. While the United States has come a long way on civil rights since the early 20th century, much work remains to be done.

• “Sidebars” provide further insights to the main story of the book.

• Heavily illustrated with photographs, maps, color illustrations.

• Strong primary research material including newspaper illustrations describing the start of the war, war and military posters, illustrations and descriptions of major battles and materials soldiers used while fighting in battle.

• Strong descriptions of a soldier’s life back at home after the war.

• Photos from 2015 Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House, and excerpts from the speech made by President Obama.

• Section on how William Shemin’s life continues to inspire young people.

• Inspiration about how one person can make a difference in the world with small and large moments and acts of courage, bravery and kindnesses

• Themes of immigration, discrimination, patriotism, and bravery at an age-appropriate level and topics for discussion in and outside of the classroom

• A highly creative, dynamic educator-developed school curriculum/lesson plan is available.

• Glossary of terms teachers can refer to when using this book in the classroom

• Authors/Publisher can connect schools with “Purchasing Angels” who are prepared to help educators add this book to Media Centers, Libraries, and Classrooms at low cost. 

Authors:

Sara Shemin Cass is the eldest grandchild of Sgt. William Shemin. She has many life-shaping and important memories of him and experienced first-hand the importance he placed on patriotism, hard work, and family. She has worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in Bank Supervision for over thirty-seven years. A mother and grandmother, she was motivated to create this book to keep the legacy of William Shemin alive for the future generations of the Shemin family.

Dan Burstein’s grandmother, Leah Shemin Burstein, was William Shemin’s first cousin. Dan’s father, Leon Burstein, got his first job as a teenager working in Bill Shemin’s greenhouse in the Bronx. Dan met Bill on several occasions, including once as early as when he was five years old.

Dan is the author of 14 nonfiction books, including several New York Times bestsellers, and is managing partner of Millennium Technology Value Partners, a venture capital firm. He is a father and a grandfather.

The Ivy Hero: The Brave Life of Sergeant William Shemin
By Sara Shemin Cass and Dan Burstein
Middle Grade/History
Publisher: City Point Press
Distribution: Simon & Schuster
Price: $19.95
Pub Date: October 25, 2022
7” x 10”, 120 pages, paperback
ISBN: 978-1-947951-64-8

Also available as an ebook