Module 5 - Goin' Someplace Special

Bibliographic Information

McKissack, P. (2001). Goin’ someplace special. New York: Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books.

Summary

‘Tricia Ann is heading for Someplace Special.  That is not the real name of her destination but an imaginary name that fits the place very well.  On the way ‘Tricia Ann has to deal with segregation laws.  She rides in the very crowded colored section of the bus while the white section is almost empty.  She is not able to sit down and enjoy the fountain that her grandfather helped to build because the benches are only for whites.  Her destination is not the Southland Hotel, the nearby restaurant across the street, or even the movie theater.  She knows that she cannot go into these places simply because of the color of her skin.  All along her route she encounters things that upset her, and she feels they are unfair until she comes to Someplace Special, which ends up being the public library where the sign says “All Are Welcome.”

Impressions

The author’s note at the end of the book explains that this is her own story.  Patricia McKissack had to deal with the Jim Crow segregation laws, and all of the events in this story took place during her own childhood in Nashville, Tennessee.  She explains that she had to deal with racial bigotry and discrimination in her young life, and that it was her grandmother that made her believe the library was someplace really special.  Patricia Ann visited it often.  Although it was upsetting to read about this young girl’s experiences, I enjoyed the fact that she did find the place where she was welcome and felt comfortable.  She did not let the discrimination of others get her down.  I liked her determination.

Reviews

Every once in a while a special picture book comes along. On the shelf it calls out to you immediately. The moment you hold it in your hands you know it's a treasure you will want to read and share for years to come. Goin' Someplace Special is just such a book.

Patricia C. McKissack is one of our foremost authors for young people. Here, she tells her own story of growing up in Nashville in the segregated 1950s. Lovingly illustrated in pencil and watercolors by award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney, Goin' Someplace Special follows a girl named 'Tricia Ann as she leaves the protective comfort of her grandmother, Mama Frances, to take a big step. She is going downtown alone, to Someplace Special.

In Goin' Someplace Special we see the Jim Crow world through 'Tricia Ann's eyes. There's the sign on the bus that says "Colored Section," the bench by the Peace Fountain that reads, "For Whites Only" and the Southland Hotel's grand lobby, where 'Tricia Ann wanders in by mistake, only to be yelled at and ousted by the manager. This journey away from her grandmother's loving arms is frightening indeed. But throughout, 'Tricia Ann is supported by friends and neighbors. In the bus, Mrs. Gannell tells her, "Carry yo'self proud." And Jimmy Lee, a street vendor, helps keep her spirits up. "Don't let those signs steal yo' happiness," he tells her.

In the end, 'Tricia Ann reaches her destination. And it is only then that the reader learns that Someplace Special is the Nashville Public Library, which in the late 1950s quietly voted to integrate its facilities.

Recently I asked Patricia McKissack if she had been thinking of writing this book for a long time. She responded, "For years and years. But I did not want to write an angry book. I wanted children to feel they can make it to whatever destination they are trying to reach. I wanted this to be a book of triumph."

A book of triumph it is. With the love of family and the support of community, young Patricia McKissack did reach her destination and fulfill her dreams of becoming all she knew she could be. Children who read this beautiful, poignant story will be inspired to do the same.

Hopkinson, Deborah. (2001). Goin’ Someplace Special. Children’s BookPage. Retrieved from http://www.bookpage.com/0110bp/children/goin_someplace_special.html

In a story that will endear itself to children's librarians and, for that matter, all library lovers, 'Tricia Ann begs her grandmother to be allowed to go alone to Someplace Special.

Mama Frances acquiesces, sending her off with instructions: " ‘And no matter what, hold yo' head up and act like you b'long to somebody.' " 'Tricia Ann's special place is not revealed until the end, but on the way there, the humiliating racism she encounters on the city bus, in the park, and in a downtown hotel almost causes her to give up. " ‘Getting to Someplace Special isn't worth it,' she sobbed." When she recalls her grandmother's words: " ‘You are somebody, a human being—no better, no worse than anybody else in this world,' " she regains the determination to continue her journey, in spite of blatant segregation and harsh Jim Crow laws. " Public Library: All Are Welcome" reads the sign above the front door of Someplace Special; Mama Frances calls it "a doorway to freedom." Every plot element contributes to the theme, leaving McKissack's autobiographical work open to charges of didacticism. But no one can argue with its main themes: segregation is bad, learning and libraries are good. Pinkney's trademark watercolors teem with realistically drawn people, lush city scenes, and a spunky main character whose turquoise dress, enlivened with yellow flowers and trim, jumps out of every picture. A lengthy author's endnote fills in the background for adults on McKissack's childhood experiences with the Nashville Public Library. This library quietly integrated all of its facilities in the late 1950s, and provided her with the story's inspiration.

A natural for group sharing; leave plenty of time for the questions and discussion that are sure to follow. (Picture book. 5-9)

(2001, September 15). Goin’ Someplace Special. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/childrens-books/patricia-c-mckissack/goin-someplace-special/

Library Use

Librarians could use this book to discuss life in the 1950’s while segregation was still the norm.  It could be used during the month of February as one of the readings for Black History Month, not only for introducing an African American author, but also the historical events that took place in the book.