Opening the Road

January 1, 2021

Gr 2-4-This picture book about the birth of the Green Book and its creator provides historical context and a foundation for current social justice issues. Victor Hugo Green (1892-1960), a Black postal worker from Harlem, NY, loved taking road trips across the United States, but it wasn't always safe to do so because of Jim Crow laws, especially in segregated areas and sundown towns. Green understood that Black sightseers needed a reliable guidebook for safe travel; he created The Negro Motorist Green Book in 1936. The travel guide sold more than two million copies, and although Green was successful, he wished for a world that didn't need such a book. Some may find the time line of Green's life and the history of his guidebook difficult to read, but the use of a roadway to depict the passage of time is a clever visual device. Dawson's text makes a stark, complex topic accessible and comprehensible to younger readers. Harris's digital illustrations are realistic for historical accuracy and offer a warmth that invites readers into the narrative. Back matter includes an informative author's note, a time line, and a selected bibliography. Similar reads include Shaking Things Up by Susan Hood and The Journey of York by Hasan Davis. VERDICT A compelling picture book that introduces the history of segregation and its impact in the U. S. to young readers.-Hilary Tufo, Columbus Metropolitan Lib., Reynoldsburg, OH

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