Goin' Someplace Special- MisKissack

McKissack, Patricia,C. 2001. GOIN’ SOMEPLACE SPECIAL.illus. Pinkney, Jerry. New York: Antheneum Books for Young Children. ISBN: 0-689-81885-8
Summary
The story begins with a very excited ‘Tricia Ann getting ready to make her first trip to the place she always refers to as “Someplace Special.” As Mama Frances, her grandmother ties her sash she reminds her to “hold yo’ head up” and “act like you b’long to somebody.” ‘Tricia Ann’s journey was not an easy one. She experiences the anger of having to “sit in the back of the bus”, the embarrassment of being yelled at, in the hotel and the fear she would not have the courage to finish her trip to the Special Place.’ ‘Tricia Ann was experiencing the injustice of the “Jim Crow” laws without her grandmother for the first time. It was the supportive words and kindness of friends from her neighborhood and the special message from Blooming Mary” to listen close” to hear her grandmother’s voice, that she found the courage from within to keep going. It is not until the end that we find out the “Special Place” is the Public Library where the words “ALL ARE WELCOME’ tells us why it is a “Special Place”. The author’s note tells us the story was based on Patricia McKissack’s childhood.
Analysis
There are many connections to the African American cultural through language. Mckissack expresses the emotions of a young girl who going on her first trip to “Someplace Special” alone. The words of her wise and loving grandmother, Mama Frances, give her courage and strength as she is confronted with the injustice of the “Jim Crow laws” along the way. Mama Frances sends her on her way with these words “hold yo’ head up and act like you b’long to somebody.” ‘Tricia remembered these words as she boarded and had to sit in the “Colored Section” of the bus. As her anger rose she heard the words that Mama Frances had told her “Those signs can tell us where to sit, but they can’t tell us what to think.” The irony of the “Jim Crow” laws, is realized when Jimmy Lee points to the restaurant and says, “ My brother cooks all the food they serve, but do you think we can sit at one of their tables and have a BLT and a cup of coffee together?” When ‘Tricia is swept inside the hotel, “What makes you think you can come inside? No colored people are allowed!” dissolve her confidence in herself and discourages her from making to her “Special Place” until she is reminded by Blooming Mary to listen close to hear her grandmother’s words; “ You are somebody, a human being- no better, no worse than anybody in this world.” When ‘Tricia is asked by a small boy if she is going to the movie, his sister reminds him that “ Colored people can’t come in the front door” and that she would have to sit in the “Buzzard’s Roost” she responds “ In the last three rows of the balcony? Why, I wouldn’t sit up there even if watermelons bloomed in January.” It is all of the references to Jim Crow laws along with the illustrations that allow the reader to connect the story to the 1950’s.in the South.
Pinckney’s illustrations are a beautiful compliment to McKissack’s words. He has ‘Tricia Ann in a bright teal and yellow dress that stands out on each page as the others pale in comparison. The details of the setting are told through the pictures in the authentic drawings of the bus, cars, the clothing, and the buildings seen throughout the book. The subtle yet very important signs we see in the windows, and on the park bench bring a greater understanding to the words and the times. The historical connections to the African American population under the “Jim Crow” laws is understood through the words and felt through the illustrations. McKissack and Pinkney strike a wonderful balance in the text and illustrations that tell the story of love, support, and determination of a young girl as she experiences the unfairness of segregation on her own.
Awards / Reviews
Book Links (A.L.A.) 01/01/07 Notable/Best Books (A.L.A.) 01/01/02
Booklist starred 08/01/01 Publishers Weekly 08/06/01
Coretta Scott King Award/Honor 01/01/02 School Library Journal 09/01/01
New York Times 02/10/02 Wilson's Children 10/01/10
Booklist starred (August 2001 (Vol. 97, No. 22))
Ages 5-8.-… Pinkney's watercolor paintings are lush and sprawling as they evoke southern city streets and sidewalks as well as Tricia Ann's inner glow. In an author's note, McKissack lays out the autobiographical roots of the story and what she faced as a child growing up in Nashville. 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.
Horn Book (November/December, 2001)- …There are many books about a child's first trip alone, and many books about racism and the struggle for civil rights, but this book is about more than either: it is the story of a child facing a difficult time sustained by the support of the adults in her life. McKissack and Pinkney strike just the right balance in a picture book for young readers and listeners: informative without being preachy; hopeful without being sentimental.
Kirkus Review (September 15, 2001)-… 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)"
Horn Book starred (Spring, 2002)
This is the story of a child facing a difficult time sustained by the support of the adults in her life. Going alone for the first time, 'Tricia Ann is off to Someplace Special--the public library where "All Are Welcome." The journey isn't easy: she must face the indignities of life in the Jim Crow South. The text and art strike just the right balance: informative without being preachy; hopeful without being sentimental.
Connections
I have used this book in my first grade classroom within the theme of the courage and determination of children and how the events in their childhood influenced them as adults. Although this story is fiction it is based on Patricia McKissack’s childhood memories. After reading the story, the discussion begins. The children are able to identify the unfair laws and unkind words that ‘Tricia Ann encounters, but more importantly it shows the courage and determination to move forward to a better place. In this story it is the Public Library where “All Are Welcome.” I like to ask the students “Did her love for the “Special Place” have any influence on her becoming an author?” Opening discussion.Some of the people we read about are; Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Louise Braille, Clara Barton, Ruby Bridges, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Harriet Tubman. The list grows each year.
Writing Activity- GOIN’ SOMEPLACE SPECIAL can be introduced during writer’s workshop as an example of how authors write about what they know. This is an example of a memory she had as a young girl and she created her story around it. As young children struggle with what to write this book can spur many new ideas that can be developed into a story. Some ideas have been: a time when you were sad or angry, a time you got to do something alone, a trip to the library or riding on the bus. Let the conversation flow and record the different topics that come up.
Art Activity- Spotlight Award winning iluustrator Jerry Pinkney. Have the students create a pencil and watercolor picture of a setting that will be used in a story the children write.