Goin' Someplace Special

Goin' Someplace Special tells the story of Tricia Ann, a young African American girl in 1950s Nashville who receives permission to travel alone through the segregated city. Jerry Pinkney's expressive watercolor illustrations bring the period setting and characters to life. During her journey, Tricia Ann encounters the harsh realities of Jim Crow laws and racial segregation that restrict where she can sit, walk, and exist in public spaces. She holds tight to the wisdom of her grandmother and remains focused on reaching her destination. The book draws from author Pat McKissack's own childhood experiences in segregated Nashville, creating an authentic historical narrative that speaks to determination and self-worth in the face of injustice. Through its skillful blend of personal story and historical context, the book presents complex social issues in a way young readers can grasp and process.

Readers emphasize how the book helps children understand segregation through a personal, relatable story rather than abstract concepts. Parents and teachers report it prompts meaningful discussions about civil rights with young readers. What readers liked: - Jerry Pinkney's detailed watercolor illustrations capture 1950s Nashville - The protagonist's determination and dignity resonate with children - Handles difficult subject matter in an age-appropriate way - Based on the author's real experiences What readers disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few noted the book may require additional historical context for young readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (280+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 5/5 One teacher wrote: "My students were completely engaged and asked thoughtful questions about segregation after reading this book." Multiple reviewers noted their children requested repeated readings, with one parent stating: "This opened up conversations my 7-year-old initiated about fairness and standing up for what's right."

The Gold Cadillac by Mildred Taylor A Black family drives their new car from Ohio to Mississippi in the 1950s and encounters racism and segregation during their journey.

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson Two girls, one Black and one White, break racial barriers in their segregated town by becoming friends across a fence that divides their properties.

Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles A Black boy and a White boy learn about segregation when they try to swim together at a public pool in 1964 Mississippi.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor The story follows a Black family's struggle to maintain dignity and independence in Depression-era Mississippi while facing racial discrimination.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia Three sisters travel to Oakland in 1968 where they learn about the Black Panthers and discover new perspectives on civil rights.

🔸 The book was inspired by McKissack's own childhood experiences in Nashville, Tennessee, where her special destination - like Tricia Ann's - was the public library, one of the first integrated public spaces in the city. 🔸 Illustrator Jerry Pinkney won the Coretta Scott King Award for his artwork in this book, adding to his collection of over 100 major awards and honors. 🔸 The term "Jim Crow" originated from a racist minstrel show character in the 1830s and later became synonymous with the segregation laws enacted from 1876 to 1965. 🔸 Pat McKissack authored more than 100 children's books, with many focusing on African American history and folk tales, earning her the Coretta Scott King Award and Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. 🔸 The Nashville Public Library, which is believed to be Tricia Ann's "someplace special," integrated its facilities in 1950, several years before the Supreme Court's landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision.