Goin' Someplace Special

Bibliography

Mckissack, Patricia C. 2001. GOIN’ SOMEPLACE SPECIAL. Ill. Jerry Pinkney. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689818858

Summary

When young ‘Tricia Ann makes her very first trip to Someplace Special alone during the segregation of the 1950’s, she must hold her head up high as she encounters many obstacles along the way. While making her way through Capitol Square, she is constantly reminded of racial discrimination by the Jim Crow signs and the brutal remarks of the white citizens. ‘Tricia Ann begins to wonder if she is even brave enough to make the trip alone. Along the way, she meets Blooming Mary who reminds her that her grandmother is always with her. ‘Tricia Ann remembers her grandmother’s voice, “You are somebody, a human being-no better, no worse than anybody else in this world.” ‘Tricia Ann wiped away her tears and finished her journey to Someplace Special. At last, ‘Tricia Ann finds herself in front of the Public Library where she “stops to look up at the message chiseled in stone across the front facing: PUBLIC LIBRARY: ALL ARE WELCOME.”

Critical Analysis

Based on childhood events, Mckissack recreates what life was like for a young African-American girl growing up in Nashville during the 1950’s when segregation was apparent. In the Author’s note, Mckissack describes how Jim Crow segregation signs were posted throughout the city and how African American parents would not allow their children to venture outside their communities until they were mature enough to handle any segregation issues.

Throughout the story, Mckissack takes the reader through a series of obstacles ‘Tricia Ann must endure just to get to her “special place”. ‘Tricia Ann first enters a city bus where she must sit in the back in the “Colored Section”. Once she arrives at the Peace Fountain where her grandfather helped pave the stones, she is reminded once again that only whites could sit on the benches to view the beautiful fountains. When ‘Tricia Ann is caught up in the crowd at the Southland Hotel’s grand lobby, the manager shoos her out of the hotel. And finally, when a small white boy invites her into the movies, his sister whispers harshly “Colored people can’t come in the front door. They got to go ‘round back and sit up in the Buzzard’s Roost.”

The dialect Mckissack uses is realistic to the time period. When Mama Frances says “I reckon…But you best hurry on ‘fore I change my mind” and “hold yo’ head up and act like you b’long to somebody” her southern voice shines through.

Pinkney’s use of pencil and watercolored illustrations bring life to the story. The illustrations portray 50’s style clothing and cars from that time period. ‘Tricia Ann is dressed in a beautiful blue dress with yellow flowers and a yellow sash. Her hair is pulled back into two lower pony-tails and she puts on a hat when she leaves for the city. From the illustrations, the reader is able to read ‘Tricia Ann’s feelings. She goes through a series of emotions throughout the story. The final page displays ‘Tricia Ann facing the front of the library. She is holding her small black purse and her orange zinnia, and her face shows that of “hope”. Hope for a future where everyone is welcomed.

Reviews

2002 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner

Publishers Weekly review: “McKissack draws from her childhood in Nashville for this instructive picture book. "I don't know if I'm ready to turn you loose in the world," Mama Frances tells her granddaughter when she asks if she can go by herself to "Someplace Special" (the destination remains unidentified until the end of the story). 'Tricia Ann does obtain permission, and begins a bittersweet journey downtown, her pride battered by the indignities of Jim Crow laws. She's ejected from a hotel lobby and snubbed as she walks by a movie theater ("Colored people can't come in the front door," she hears a girl explaining to her brother. "They got to go 'round back and sit up in the Buzzard's Roost"). She almost gives up, but, buoyed by the encouragement of adult acquaintances ("Carry yo'self proud," one of her grandmother's friends tells her from the Colored section on the bus), she finally arrives at Someplace Special a place Mama Frances calls "a doorway to freedom" the public library.”

Booklist review: “This book carries a strong message of pride and self-confidence as well as a pointed history lesson. It is also a beautiful tribute to the libraries that were ahead of their time.”

School Library Journal review: “Dialogue illustrates her confidence and intelligence as she bravely searches for truth in a city of Jim Crow signs. Pinkney re-creates the city in detailed pencil-and-watercolor art angled over full-page spreads, highlighting the young girl with vibrant color in each illustration. A thought-provoking story for group sharing and independent readers.”

Connections

Other books that discuss segregation issues include:

Woodson, Jacqueline. 2001. THE OTHER SIDE. ISBN 0399231161

Wiles, Deborah. 2005. FREEDOM SUMMER. ISBN 068987829X

Bridges, Ruby. 1999. THROUGH MY EYES. ISBN 0590189239