Goin' Someplace Special

Bibliography: McKissack, P. (2001). Goin' Someplace Special. Illus. Jerry Pinkney, New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Publishing.

Brief Annotation: Tricia Ann is an African American girl growing up in Nashville Tennessee in the 1950's. One day she is set to go to her special place in town all by herself, but is feeling rejected and left out during her trip over. She is only allowed to sit in the back of the bus, she is not allowed into the city hotel, and there are other places around town where she cannot be because she is colored. Though she is upset and discouraged, she is reminded of her grandmother's presence and eventually finds a place in town where people of ALL color are welcome.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Grade Level: 3-5

Readers who will like this: Teachers who are teaching students about the African American Civil Rights movement in the 50's and 60's. Children who have ever felt left out of an event or were forced out of a place because of who they were.

Response/Rating: I would give this book a 4 because it is a good representation of the perspective of an African American girl during a time of struggle for colored people like her. I liked the ending of the book where she got back up on her feet and found what she was looking for.

Question to ask before a read aloud: Have you ever felt left out of a group or a special event? What did you do about it?