Going Places: Victor Hugo Green and His Glorious Book

by Tonya Bolden (Author) Eric Velasquez (Illustrator)

Going Places: Victor Hugo Green and His Glorious Book
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

In the vein of Hidden Figures comes a nonfiction picture book about the Green Book, a travel guide by Victor Hugo Green, a Black postal worker from Harlem, made to help African Americans stay safe while traveling during segregation.

As a mail carrier, Victor Hugo Green traveled across New Jersey every day. 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 in the 1930s, Victor created a guide--The Negro Motorist Green-Book--compiling information on where to go and what places to avoid so that Black travelers could have a safe and pleasant time. While the Green Book started out small, over the years it 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.

Select format:
Hardcover
$19.99

ALA/Booklist

Starred Review
An effective way to address Jim Crow laws and segregation as well as resourcefulness and determination.

Kirkus

Starred Review
A richly layered, powerful introduction to an entrepreneur and the problems he solved.

None

Velasquez’s scrapbook-style, painterly vignettes capture period detail and nimbly complement Bolden’s conversational free-verse text.

School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 3-6--Velasquez grabs readers right from the start with a book jacket saturated with color and details of a 1940s family ready to leave on a trip in their blue Packard, against the signature color of the Green Book. It's followed by an equally inviting title page. Bolden opens her story with an introduction to Victor Hugo Green, New Jersey letter carrier. He takes his job seriously, and he believes in tackling problems with solutions. It's the Great Depression and even though times are tough, people want to travel. Black Americans are traveling for business, vacation, family events, and special occasions, encouraged to purchase cars to avoid the hardships and dangers of Jim Crow laws and sundown towns. Green sees a need for better communication to help travelers stay safe, doing extensive research. His first effort is "The Negro Motorist Green Book," a pamphlet published in 1936, with information for safe travel in and around New York City. By 1940, the booklet is 40 pages long and includes major cities in every state. 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 are combined with recreated newspaper articles, actual Green Book covers, and photographs. The effect is to pull readers along on this American experience known too well to some and a revelation for others. A time line, notes, selected sources, and specific resources are appended. VERDICT A highly recommended addition to any collection. Pair this book with Alexander Clavin's Ruth and the Green Book for a real powerhouse introduction to this important part of our shared history.--Elisabeth LeBris

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 

Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780062967404
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Quill Tree Books
Publication date
October 04, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF018010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | United States - African-American
JNF053140 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Social Topics | Prejudice & Racism
JNF025210 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | United States/20th Century
JNF058000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Travel
Library of Congress categories
-

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