Candacy A. Taylor

The history of a travel guide for African Americans that reflected far more than just issues of mobility for its users.

From 1936 to 1966, the Green Book was a successful guide supporting Black people traveling during a time of segregation. Its creator, letter carrier Victor Green, creatively developed his publication into a wide-ranging product that stood out from similar guides of the era. As the automobile became ubiquitous, African Americans sought guidance about establishments that would accept their business and where they could be safe. Discriminatory practices were common around the U.S., so Green expanded his coverage to include most of the country. The Green Book also served as a way to promote Black businesses. Following World War II, it highlighted historically Black colleges where returning veterans, denied admission to predominantly White institutions, could use the GI Bill for education. From 1949 to 1957, Green’s Reservation Bureau initiative supported customers with navigating international travel. Taylor has skillfully adapted her acclaimed 2020 adult title for teens into a smooth, readable volume that provides context for the rise of Black travel guides and the societal changes that Green and his wife, Alma, responded to. Her insights into the significance of the Green Book for women are fascinating, as is the compelling look at the costs and benefits of integration for Black Americans. Numerous images greatly enhance the text.

Meticulous research and lively anecdotes combine to provide a powerful volume of social history. (notes, bibliography, image credits, index)… (mais)

Synergy: Green Book Guidebooks

The Negro Motorist Green Book was a guide book produced for African American travelers. Published during the era of Jim Crow laws between 1936 and 1966 when discrimination and segregation were widespread, the books helped travelers identify businesses and services friendly to African American visitors.

Read the recently published nonfiction book for youth then learn more at the website.

OVERGROUND RAILROAD by Candacy Taylor tells the story of the Green Book, a guide for African American travelers in mid-20th century America. This young adult adaptation traces the history of the Green Book and the courage of both travelers and businesses that stood up against racial segregation. Filled with stunning photographs, fascinating interviews, and engaging narrative, this compelling work of youth nonfiction brings the barriers and hazards faced by Black travelers to life for middle grade readers. The book includes an author’s note, endnotes, bibliography, timeline, and index.

NAVIGATING THE GREEN BOOK from the New York Public Library invites readers to visualize a trip using the Green Books and view a map of data from the books. Users can also browse 21 volumes of the Green Books from 1937 to 1964.

To visit the website, go to http://publicdomain.nypl.org/greenbook-map/.

THE NEGRO MOTORIST GREEN BOOK is an online exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution. Users can learn about the Green Book, examine an online exhibit, and explore stories of people who used the Green Book.

To visit the website, go to https://negromotoristgreenbook.si.edu/.

ARC courtesy of Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS Kids.… (mais)

A wealth of information about traveling in the United States during the Jim Crow era and the challenges that African Americans faced when they traveled as chronicled by The Green Book. As a youngster I remembered seeing the Green Book someplace during my travels. My father took our family on many trips and the one thing that I remember is that we did not see many people of African American descent on our travels. I did not understand the challenges that they were facing. This book provides a snap shot of those times and illustrates the problem that people of color face today while traveling.

I really enjoyed reading this book, especially for some of the stories that were in it and the fact that it showed the challenges that black travelers faced. I personally think that the book could have used a good final editing; however, it does not decrease the value as a historical document.… (mais)