Written by Tonya Bolden and Illustrated by Eric Velasquez
[From the Dust Jacket]
As a mail carrier, Victor Hugo Green traveled across New Jersey every day—going places was his job! But with Jim Crow laws enforcing segregation since the late 1800s, traveling as a Black person in the US could be stressful—even dangerous.
So Victor created a guide—the Green Book—listing information to help Black travelers have a pleasant time, whether they were going on vacation or a business trip. And while it started out small, the Green Book became an expansive, invaluable resource for Black people throughout the country, all in the hopes that one day such a guide would no longer be needed.
Award-winning author Tonya Bolden and acclaimed illustrator Eric Velasquez shine a light on this little-known history of Victor Hugo Green and the deep impact of his incredible book on generations of Black families in America.
Ages 4 and up | 40 pages
Hardcover | Quill Tree Books (An imprint of HarperCollins) | 2022 | ISBN 9780062967404
“Going Places” Made the List …
Kirkus Reviews Best Picture-Book Biographies of 2022
A 2024 Rhode Island Children’s Book Award Nominee
Cleveland Public Library – 2024 Norman A. Sugarman Children’s Biography Honor Award
“Going Places” Reviews …
“Bolden’s bold, strong, conversational prose sets the scene, representing courageous, talented Black people strategizing to keep their dignity in an unfair world … Velasquez beautifully brings to life settings, families, and communities. A richly layered, powerful introduction to an entrepreneur and the problems he solved.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Bolden has perfectly combined the painful story of Jim Crow and segregation with the strength and determination of Black Americans to live a full life. The illustrations pull readers along on this American experience known too well to some and a revelation for others. A highly recommended addition to any collection.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“Bolden recounts the moving story of mail carrier Victor Hugo Green (1892–1960), originator of the Green Book—a guide used by Black travelers to navigate Jim Crow–era America, where “these travelers… could face hassles, humiliations, hardships. Even bodily harm.” . . . Working images of paper ephemera into the pages, Velasquez melds portraiture and background illustration, producing a visually engaging account of history in the making.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“In descriptive text and an upbeat voice, Bolden recalls the Black mail carrier from Harlem who recognized that Black Americans were going places. Velasquez lends a fitting and beautiful scrapbook effect to the story. An effective way to address Jim Crow laws and segregation as well as resourcefulness and determination.” — Booklist, starred review
“With lively language that hovers between poetry and prose, Bolden’s biographical account carefully introduces the intersections of historical preconditions that led to the creation of Green Book: the pervasive harassment and danger Black people experienced during Jim Crow; the growing Harlem Renaissance; the shifts in modes of transportation during the Great Depression; and Green’s disposition and resilience. Velasquez’s smooth oil paint illustrations radiantly depict everyday Black folks on the go, often paired with highly detailed portraits of car models of the era, while collaged snippets of relevant media, such as postcards and newspaper headlines, contextualize the flow of information around the Green Book’s creation and use.”—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review
“Velasquez’s scrapbook-style, painterly vignettes capture period detail and nimbly complement Bolden’s conversational free-verse text.” — Horn Book
“Going Places” Chats …
Publishers Weekly – In Conversation: Tonya Bolden and Eric Velasquez
YA Books Central (YABC) – Author Chat With Tonya Bolden, “Going Places: Victor Hugo Green and His Glorious Book”