Tricia Ann is a black girl in the 50s dealing with the injustices of segregation in her town. She sets out on her own to make it to the only place she knows where all are welcome, the library! As she goes through the town she is faced with realities that try to tear her down, but through the wisdom of her Grandmother and people in her community she gains the strength to get through it and make it to her "somewhere special".

The book “Goin’ Someplace Special” is about a young woman’s day heading “someplace special”, showcasing the hurdles she faces along the way being a black woman in the time of Jim Crow laws. As she heads to her destination, she faces segregation signs on the bus, a park bench, a restaurant, and even someone who kicks her out of a hotel when she became caught up in a crowd of people. As she continues her journey, she comes across several older, mentors who provide her advice and courage along her way. At the end of the story, she remembers the lessons her grandmother have taught her, “You are somebody, a human being – no better, no worse than anybody else in this world” and she arrives at her “someplace special”, the library, where there is a sign that states “PUBLIC LIBRAY: ALL ARE WELCOME” (McKissack, 2001).

The text and illustrations connect flawlessly with double page spread illustrations, aiding in showing the path of her day from home all the way to the public library. This book strikes a fine balance between showing the challenges a young, black woman faced during this time of segregation, while also showing positivity through the familiar faces she comes across, including the advice of her grandmother, who is a guidepost in her life. I recommend this book to children ages kindergarten through early middle school, as the conversation that would ensue will be robust at each of those ages. This book would be relevant for children to learn the history of segregation, and Jim Crow laws through a picture book – before opening up a broader discussion and deeper dive into what that meant for people in America.

This book shows a strong, confident young black woman, who works hard to go to the library, which allows for young black girls to see themselves as a mirror, and other’s to see a window into her life.

This book won the Coretta Scott King book award based off of it's depiction of black life and history, as well as being written by and illustrated by black individuals. ( )

This book could be a good book for primary or intermediate students. Within this book, a character named Tricia Ann who resembles the book’s author, goes on a journey throughout her city to someplace that is very special to her. The book is set in Nashville, Tennessee in the 1950’s which causes Tricia Ann to encounter segregation and injustice, as others are blatantly racist to her. She never stops trying to get to someplace special and she never lets down her optimism and cheerfulness, at the end of the book she arrives at the public library which is a special place where all are welcome. This book was both helpful and problematic. It was helpful to show the power of optimisim and perseverance, but had problematic content that while it could educate students, it could also hurt students or develop mindsets that it is okay to treat another person like that. I would use this book to show that the way the people treated Tricia Ann was not right, and to have an example of a persevering and positive main charachter.

This book looks into the life of 'Tricia Ann who is a young black girl who is curious why our world is so unfair. Through her struggles she is reminded that she is not alone through this. ( )

"Tricia Ann is determined to set out for her "Someplace Special" by herself for the first time ever, and her Mama Frances agrees to let her go. On the way, she is faced over and over again with the blatant racism of Jim Crow, but over and over she is reminded of her value and self-worth. Even though many trials come, she realizes that she can reach "Someplace Special" all by herself because she is strong and full of dignity. This book is wonderful, and it is a beautiful picture of overcoming biases with the truth of equal dignity. ( )