Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Genre: Multicultural, Historical Fiction
Awards: NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Book in the English Language Arts (2002), Coretta Scott King Honor (Illustrator, 2002), AISLE Read-Aloud Books Too Good To Miss (2002), ISLMA Monarch Award Nominee (2007), Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee (2004), CCBC Choices (2001), Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Nominee (2003), Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Nominee (2004), Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award (2003)
Grade(s): 1st-3rd
Summary: This book is set back in the middle of the Civil Rights movement and is about a girl named Tricia Ann. Tricia Ann wanted so badly to go to her favorite place in the world, but her grandmother was very worried about her going out on her own. During this time, it was very difficult for an African American to go about their daily activities without being ridiculed or humiliated. However, Tricia's grandmother did not want to stop her from being independent. So, she set her off with a few words of advice: "And no matter what, hold yo' head up and act like you b'long to somebody." Tricia Ann was very excited for this opportunity, but had no idea what kind of indignities lie ahead of her. First, she was forced to the back of a bus by a sign reading "colored section" and began to wonder why things were the way they were. Not letting that bring her down, she began telling people from her community that she was "goin' someplace special." Next, she was flabbergasted by not being able to sit on a bench reading "FOR WHITES ONLY" when she went to look at Peach Fountain. Later, when she was trying to get to her "someplace special," she was forced into a fancy hotel by a crowd of people who were trying to meet someone famous. When the people of the hotel began to notice that she was inside, she was shooed away as if she were a pest. Tricia Ann began to feel defeated and extremely let down that her culture and race was so ridiculed and that made her not even want to visit her "someplace special." However, she ran into a sweet lady named Blooming Mary, who happened to be white. Blooming Mary lifted Tricia Ann's spirits and made her believe that she could carry on. Eventually, Tricia Ann made it to her "someplace special" with a full heart and wonder. Her favorite place ended up being the library and she loved it because there was no segregation there and she felt like she was free. She enjoyed reading and picking out books and she was so happy to have reached her "someplace special."
My Thoughts: This book is an astounding way to teach children the way segregation was during the Civil Rights movement. It beautifully captures a young child's way of living and her love for the world despite their hatred toward her. I absolutely loved reading this book, and although it was a rather short picture book, it was definitely a page turner. Tricia Ann's character is captivating and the illustrations in this book really bring the story to life. I will definitely have this book in my classroom library to show my students the importance of unity and equality.
No comments:
Post a Comment