Skip to content
Pragmatic Mom
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Policies
    • Media Kit
    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright
    • KidLit Blogroll
  • My Book Lists
    • My List of Lists
    • Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists
    • #OwnVoices
    • Summer Reading Lists for Middle School Kids
    • Asian American Children’s Books
    • African American Children’s Books
    • Arab American Children’s Books
    • Latinx American Children’s Books
    • Native American Children’s Books
    • LGBTQIA+ Children’s Books
    • Diverse Books for Kids
    • Best Books for Kids
  • Education
    • STEM/STEAM
    • Math
    • Social Studies
    • Art Projects for Kids
    • Applying to Art School
    • Applying to College
    • Book Club for Kids
    • 70+ Free Educational Games
  • Controversial
    • Sexual Misconduct in Children’s Book Publishing #MeToo #TimesUp
    • Rethinking & Examining Dr. Seuss’ Racism
    • Blood Feud over YA #BloodHeir
    • Tulsa Race Massacre: What They Don’t Teach You in History Books
    • The Chinese Exclusion Act – What They Don’t Teach in History Books
    • Segregation in California Schools: What They Don’t Teach in History Books
    • SCBWI Minnesota Racist Illustration and Gaslighting Response
  • My Books
    • My Book Announcements
    • We Sing From the Heart wins Julia Ward Howe prize for children’s literature!
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is Carter G. Woodson Book Award Honoree!
    • We Sing From the Heart makes Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year 2025!
    • The Traveling Taco on Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025!
    • The Traveling Taco featured in Booklist
    • Origami French Fries: Activity for THE TRAVELING TACO
    • Book Announcement: A Place to Call Home! {and a new title …}
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE makes Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction!
    • Cover Reveal of my latest picture book … FORTUNE COOKIES FOR EVERYONE!
    • Picture Book Announcement! BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
    • We Sing From the Heart gets a few stickers!
    • Book Announcement! Postcards from Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Civil Rights Activist
    • Kirkus Reviews My Newest Picture Book: THE TRAVELING TACO
    • We Sing From the Heart is a Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner!
    • We Sing From the Heart gets a few stickers!
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART wins California Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is Orbis Pictus Recommended Book
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
    • Dorktales Podcast: Simon Tam, Hidden Hero of History
    • Food for the Future Wins Nautilus Silver Book Award
    • Food for the Future makes Mass Book Award Long List!
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE Makes Green Earth Book Award Long List!
    • Food for the Future is a finalist for 2023 INDIES Book of the Year!
    • New! Food for the Future Activity and Discussion Guide!
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection!
    • ‘Food for the Future’ selected for Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best books
    • Scholastic Purchased CHANGING THE GAME!
    • Starred Review for FOOD FOR THE FUTURE from School Library Journal!
    • Sumo Joe makes Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year list!
    • How To Coach Girls wins Silver Award!
    • Posts on My Books
  • My Book Events
    • My Book Events
Menu
Booking Across America: Tennessee & Patricia McKissack

Children’s Book Study: Patricia McKissack for Booking Across the USA’s Tennessee

Posted on April 11, 2015February 9, 2025 by Pragmatic Mom

I am thrilled to be co-posting with Valarie Budayr of Jump Into A Book for the Book Across America blog tour.  I was late to the sign up to my birth state of California was already taken, as well as Massachusetts where I now reside. No matter. Tennessee was open where Valarie lives so I grabbed it for us.

We chose Patricia McKissack as our children’s author to represent Tennessee. Not only was she born there, but she’s very active doing school visits and book talks all over the state. You might not have heard of her … so we’ve included a list of her books as well as a book extension idea.

Patricia C. McKissack

image from Babelio

Patricia McKissack was born in Smyrna, Tennessee in 1944 and is well known for her Dear America books that cover three different stories of enslavement: A Picture of Freedom: The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl; Color Me Dark: The Diary of Nellie Lee Love, The Great Migration North, and Look to the Hills: The Diary of Lozette Moreau, a French Slave Girl.

The Diary of Clotee

Look to the Hills: The Diary of Lozette Moreau, a French Slave Girl

 

She has also written a novel for The Royal Diaries series: Nzingha: Warrior Queen of Matamba.

Nzingha: Warrior Queen of Matamba

 

Her picture books also reflect her interest in exploring diverse topics that reflect her birth state: slavery, racism during the Jim Crow South, and a full circle back to Africa during and before the time of slavery.

 

Book Across America Picture Book

For Booking Across America, we chose Goin’ Someplace Special and we have an activity below based on this picture book.

Goin’ Someplace Special by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Brian Pinkney

During Jim Crow American, ‘Tricia Ann gets permission to travel by herself to “someplace special.” She takes the bus and has to sit in the colored section way in the back, which can run out of seats quickly. As she crosses the public garden, she accidentally sits on a “For Whites Only” bench. When a celebrity pulled up in front of the fancy hotel ‘Tricia Ann stood in front of, she got swept in with the crowd and wound up in the lobby. The manager throws her out and she runs to the protection of a walled church garden in tears. As she makes her way to “someplace special,” she passes the movie theatre where all but three balcony rows are off-limits to her. Finally, she makes her way to her special place. It’s the public library where all are welcome.

The author’s note tells the reader that in the 1950s, Nashville’s public library board of directors quietly voted to integrate all their facilities. During Jim Crow south, the library was one of the few public places where blacks were treated with some respect.

Patricia C. McKissack notes that “reading is the doorway to freedom” but for ‘Tricia Ann, it’s a stressful journey to get there. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Goin' Someplace Special by Patricia C. McKissack and Jerry Pinkney

 

Goin’ Someplace Special Extension Project: Learn About YOUR Public Library

Newton Free Library

Was your local public library ever segregated? Do you know when it was built and who designed it? Use the internet or ask your local librarian how to find out more about your library.

Newton Free Library Nancy Schon

Public artist Nancy Schön poses with Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh and newly added Piglet outside Newton Public Library. Nancy also created the famous Make Way For Ducklings statue in the Boston Public Garden. She resides in Newton, MA. (Photo by Jacki Schön).

1. When was your library built?

My local library, Newton Free Library, was originally built August 1868! On July 27, 1989, my library was rebuilt into a 91,000-square-foot main library building at a cost of just over $15 million.

Newton Free Library

2. Did slavery exist when your library opened?

The Thirteenth Amendment (December 1865) formally outlawed the institution throughout the United States so my library opened a few years after that. It was never segregated; I live in an area that had many Underground Railroad stops and Jim Crow laws did not exist here.

Newton Free Library

3. Who was the architect of your library?

My library’s original architect was Alexander Rice Esty.

Newton Free Library

4. When your library opened, how many books did it have? 

My library opened with about 7,000 volumes, composed of previous library associations’ collections, new purchases, as well as private donations.

Newton Free Library

5. How many books does your library have now?

Today, my library has grown to about 530,000 items.

 

More Picture Books by Patricia McKissack

What Is Given from the Heart by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by April Harrison

This is a story of what goes around, comes around. Things are tough for James Otis and his mother after his father passed away. They are barely getting by, but when their church pastor asks everyone to give to a single mother and her daughter who have lost everything in a fire, they reach deep inside and give what they can with love in their hearts. James Otis’ mother takes their only nice thing, a white tablecloth and turns into an apron. James Otis ponders hard and comes up with a gift from his heart for the girl in need. This is a wonderful story about gnerosity, empathy, and kindness. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

What Is Given from the Heart by Patricia C. McKissack

A Million Fish … More or Less by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Dena Schutzer

McKissack’s latest book is a hilarious tall tale set in the bayou. Hugh Thomas knew that Bayou Clapateaux is a mighty peculiar place where strange things happen but that didn’t deter him from a fishing trip. Three small fish soon turned into a massive catch; about a million or so. The alligators in the bayou objected to the loss of their food source, and the grand-père of them all came to work it out with him. He throws half the fish back. Getting the rest of the fish home turns out to be challenging. And in the end, three small fish is all that he’s left with. That, and a mighty tall tale. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

A Million Fish ... More or Less by Patricia C. McKissack

Ma Dear’s Aprons by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Ma Dear is short for Mother Dear and this story was inspired by a plain muslin apron that McKissack inherited from her great-grandmother, who was a single parent raising three kids in rural Alabama during the early 1900s by cooking, cleaning and doing laundry for other people. This tribute to her chronicles Ma Dear’s daily routine, marked by different aprons, as she worked long hours but still always made time for her son and for helping others. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

by Patricia C. McKissack and Floyd Cooper

Precious and the Boo Hag by Patricia C. McKissack and Onawumi Jean Moss, illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker

The collage illustrations by Kyrsten Brooker make this book especially delightful. Precious is sick so she has to stay home alone while her family plants corn and she is not to let anyone into the house, particularly Pruella the Boo Hag, a mythical trickster, who tries in many iterations to come inside. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Precious and the Boo Hag (Anne Schwartz Books) by Patricia C. McKissack, Onawumi Jean Moss,

Mirandy and Brother Wind by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Ma Dear is back in this Caldecott Honor picture book illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. McKissack’s grandparents win an African-American dance competition known as a CakeWalk. The winning couple is awarded a cake. A recipe for a cake is also included!

Mirandy wants to catch Brother Wind so that she can win the Junior CakeWalk competition and tries all kinds of advice from elders to capture the mythical wind. She finally succeeds but when her friend Ezel is rejected by Olinda as a dance partner for being clumsy, she knows just what to do. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Mirandy and Brother Wind by Patricia C. McKissack

 

Flossie and the Fox by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Rachel Isadora

McKissack was born from many, many generations of storytellers, and this story comes from her beloved grandfather who was the most masterful bard of them all! She captures the dialect of the rural South in this Aesop-like folk tale about a clever talking fox and a little girl named Flossie who needs to outsmart the fox in order to save the eggs in her basket. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Flossie and the Fox by Patricia McKissack and Rachel Isadora

The Honest-to-Goodness Truth by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Giselle Potter

Libby Louise gets a lesson in telling the truth after she fibs to her mother about doing her chores. She vows to only tell the unvarnished truth, not realizing she is hurting everyone’s feelings with her observations. Finally, she gets the lesson on honesty: “The truth is often hard to chew. But it is sweetened with love, then it is a little easier to swallow.” Giselle Potter’s wonderful illustrations make the book playful, with a folk art appeal. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

by Patricia C. McKissack and Giselle Potter

Never Forgotten by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon

Set in West Africa, a young boy is kidnapped and sold into slavery in America but he’s never forgotten by his family he left behind. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Never Forgotten by Patricia C. McKissack

Black Diamond: The Story of the Negro Baseball Leagues by Patricia C. McKissack and Frederick McKissack, Jr.

This 1995 Coretta Scott King Honor Book is a tribute to all those involved in the Negro Baseball Leagues: owners, players, fans and the heroes that emerged. [nonficion chapter book, ages 8 and up]

Black Diamond: The Story of the Negro Baseball Leagues by Patricia C. McKissack and Frederick McKissack

 

Booking Across the USA

Come check out the other 49 States of Booking Across the USA with these great bloggers:

edSnapshots, Incredibly Confident Kids, Child Led Life, Crayonbox Learning, Enchanted Homeschooling Mom,The Educators’ Spin On It, The Art Curator for Kids, My Little Me , Kathys Cluttered Mind, Story Time Secrets, True Aim, The Jenny Evolution, Primary Inspired, KC Edventures,Chicken Babies, Mosswood Connections, Country Fun Childcare, Picture Books & Piourettes, Mama Smiles, Buggy and Buddy, Wise Owl Factory,Bambini Travel, Inspiration Laboratories , Kids Yoga Stories, Elementary Matters, Just Another Mom, Teaching With Grace, All Done Monkey,Something 2 Offer, ALLterNATIVE Learning, Cutting Tiny Bites, JDaniels4’s Mom,  Living Montessori Now, Pragmatic Mom, Kid World Citizen, Teach Beside Me, Kitchen Floor Crafts, Mama Miss, A Book Long Enough, and Brain Power Boy.

To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.

Booking Across America: Tennessee & Patricia McKissack

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.

 

My books:

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants®  Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court

  • ALSC Notable Children’s Book
  • Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
  • California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
  • Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
  • Junior Library Guild Gold Selection

 

Cover Reveal for THE TRAVELING TACO by Mia Wenjen Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

 

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

 

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-HengAmazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

  • ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
  • Junior Library Guild Gold selection
  • Massachusetts Book Award Long List
  • dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
  • Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
  • 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
  • Green Earth Book Award Long List
  • Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
  • Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

cover for Sumo Joe

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Bank Street College’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year

Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia WenjenAmazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

 

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

 

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s GuideSigned or Inscribed by Me

 

How To Coach Girls by Mia Wenjen and Alison Foley

Signed or Inscribed by Me

Asian Pacific American HeroesSigned or Inscribed by Me

6 thoughts on “Children’s Book Study: Patricia McKissack for Booking Across the USA’s Tennessee”

  1. Maria Gianferrari says:
    April 11, 2015 at 5:51 pm

    Boy do I miss the Newton Library! I met with my critique group there on the first Monday of the month for many years until moving in 2013. And the piglet sculpture is a great addition 🙂

    Thanks, Mia!!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 13, 2015 at 8:23 pm

      Hi Maria,
      I heard about the critique groups! I need to join one!

      Reply
  2. Carolyn Wilhelm says:
    April 13, 2015 at 3:24 pm

    I like the way you are so very multi-cultural and excellent in the choice of books and authors. I will have to check out this one, she is new to me. Pinned! Carolyn

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 13, 2015 at 8:27 pm

      Thanks so much Carolyn! She was fairly new to me too. I had only read one or two of her books and didn’t realize the depth and breadth of her work. Valarie is from Tennessee and says she’s very active on the school visit scene which is great!

      Reply
  3. Jodie says:
    April 16, 2015 at 10:40 pm

    So much great information here! Thank you for being a part of Booking Across the USA and highlighting such a great author!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 25, 2015 at 7:51 am

      Hi Jodie,
      Thank YOU so much for coordinating. Love Booking Across the USA! Such a great way to discover authors!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Looking for something? Search here.

I’m Mia Wenjen!

Mia Wenjen Pragmatic Mom

Hi, I’m Mia Wenjen. Nice to meet you!

I blog excessively about diverse children’s books (picture books through middle grade). I am also the co-founder of Read Your World Celebrates Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Jan 25, 2024, our 11th year!

I’d love to chat with you. Let’s connect! PragmaticMomBlog (at) gmail (dot) com or through my social media handles.

Free Blog Updates in your Inbox (RSS feed)

Monthly Newsletter with Subscriber Only Giveaways in your Inbox

My Linktree (click for my links & socials)

my linktree

My Websites

  • How To Coach Girls
  • I Love Newton
  • Mia Wenjen (My New Author Website)

Camp Cody: Overnight Camp in New Hampshire

Read Your World LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives Merch!

https://www.pragmaticmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Read-Your-World-FINAL-Merchandise-Video.mp4

Purchase Read Your World Merch

LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives Merch.

Buy it here!

Search Amazon

Find Children's Books

Newton Children’s Book Festival 2025

Newton Children's Book Festival 2025

Get My Books Signed or Inscribed through my shop (click to purchase)

Mia Wenjen signed books

Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! (click to purchase)

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!

We Sing From the Heart (click to pre-order)

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam

FOOD FOR THE FUTURE (click to purchase)

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

CHANGING THE GAME (click to purchase)

Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia Wenjen

SUMO JOE (click to purchase)

Sumo Joe cover reveal

Asian Pacific American Heroes (click to purchase)

Asian Pacific American Heroes by Mia Wenjen

GNOMES & UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures // I have 3 haiku poems (click to purchase)

GNOMES & UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures 3 haiku by Mia Wenjen
Read Your World is Multicultural Children's Book Day

ClothingRIC- A Premium Coupon Website!

ThingsFromMars- The Wondrous World of Wacky Gift Products!

How to Get Kids Reading

  • Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists
  • Getting Kids to Love Reading
  • Summer Reading Lists for Kids By Grade
  • Summer Reading Lists for Middle School Kids

Heim Nest Kid Mattress Exclusive Deal

Heim Nest Kid Mattress

AdvancedWriters.com is an expert writing service which helps students with academic writing.

educational toys

CEX.IO is a versatile crypto exchange platform where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies, as well as access resources and tools to learn how to trade effectively.

MyPaperDone.com
is surely one of the best when it comes to paper writing assistance.

My Custom Essay
will guide you through academic life.

Essay Writing Services

If you ask "write my essay", Topessaywriting can help you with paper writing

TranslationReport can help you to choose the best translation service

If you are looking for the most trusted essay writing service, check this article about best essay writing service reviews at Econotimes

educational toys from dhgate stores

Assignment Writing Services Offer Assignment Assistance In UK Based Company 50% Discount Students

Playing at online casinos can be an exciting and rewarding experience, and you can find the best options at casinoszondercruksonline.com. 

For those seeking a safe and reputable gambling experience, the Meest betrouwbare buitenlandse casino lijst is an invaluable resource.

Archives

Categories

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship (click to purchase)

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide

HOW TO COACH GIRLS (click to purchase)

How To Coach Girls silver award winner

Archives

I’ll be sharing WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE I STARTED MY KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN

HOW TO COACH GIRLS book trailer by Mia Wenjen & Alison Foley

https://youtu.be/j74M0bBxrGg

Recent Posts

  • Read Your World Celebrates AAPI Heritage Month Virtual Event July 16, 2025
  • The Traveling Taco Unboxing! July 14, 2025
  • The 2026 PADIBA Awards are now open for submissions! July 11, 2025
  • We Sing From the Heart wins Julia Ward Howe prize for children’s literature! July 9, 2025
  • Changing the Game’s 4th Birthday & 4 Signed Book GIVEAWAY! July 7, 2025

Categories

© 2025 Pragmatic Mom | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT