Goin' Someplace Special
By Patricia C. McKissack
The Story
A spirited young girl navigates segregated 1950s Nashville alone, facing Jim Crow signs and painful moments on her way to the one welcoming place in town: the public library.
Why It's Special
For families ready to talk about fairness and history together, this is a gentle but honest way into a hard conversation, grounded in one girl's determined walk across her own city.
- Big idea: Dignity can't be taken away by a sign or a rule — you carry your worth inside you, no matter what the world says.
- Vibes: Tender, resolute, quietly powerful, with warmth even in hard moments.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are curious about history and how things used to be
- are working on understanding fairness and unfairness
- respond well to stories with a brave, determined main character
- enjoy talking through big feelings after a story
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What kept 'Tricia Ann going even when she faced hurtful signs and comments on her way downtown?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think 'Tricia Ann felt when she had to sit behind the Jim Crow sign on the bus?
- Real-life connection: Who are the people in your life who remind you that you're not alone when things feel hard?
- Big ideas: What did 'Tricia Ann's grandmother mean when she said, 'You are somebody, no better, no worse than anybody else'?
- Imagination: What is a 'someplace special' for you, and why does it matter?
