Summary
There's a place in this 1950s southern town where all are welcome, no matter what their skin color...and 'Tricia Ann knows exactly how to get there. To her, it's someplace special and she's bursting to go by herself.

When her grandmother sees that she's ready to take such a big step, 'Tricia Ann hurries to catch the bus heading downtown. But unlike the white passengers, she must sit in the back behind the Jim Crow sign and wonder why life's so unfair.

Still, for each hurtful sign seen and painful comment heard, there's a friend around the corner reminding 'Tricia Ann that she's not alone. And even her grandmother's words -- "You are somedbody, a human being -- no better, no worse than anybody else in this world" -- echo in her head, lifting her spirits and pushing her forward.

Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Visualizing - Jerry Pinkney is both a talented illustrator and writer.  In fact, he is from a family of writers and illustrators!  Use this link to explore an exhibit of the Pinkney family's words and images.  Have students draw inferences from the illustrations and visualize what may have happened next in the story.  Follow up with a read-aloud of the book.

Writing with Writers - Here's an opportunity to write your own biography following the online guidelines of our featured author, Patricia C. McKissack, and her husband, Frederick McKissack.  Students can discover some of the secrets behind writing and publishing a book plus learn some brainstorming and research tips so they complete their own biography project.
 

• Rosa Parks challenged the policy of segregation of a Montgomery, Alabama city bus in 1955.  Like Tricia Ann in Goin' Someplace Special, she was required by law to sit in the back of the bus.  Find out more about Rosa Parks and segregation by clicking on this link.  The site includes an interview with Rosa Parks and challenges students to think about how they would feel if they were in her situation.

• Goin' Someplace Special was an honor book selection in 2002 for the Coretta Scott King Award.  Visit the ALA web site to learn about the criteria for this award and then have students discuss why they think Goin' Someplace Special was one of the selections.