The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America
by Candacy Taylor
Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Jan 2022
272 pages
Genre: History, Current Affairs and Religion
Publication Information
A young reader's edition of Candacy Taylor's acclaimed book about the history of the Green Book, the guide for Black travelers.
Overground Railroad chronicles the history of the Green Book, which was published from 1936 to 1966 and was the "Black travel guide to America." For years, it was dangerous for African Americans to travel in the United States. Because of segregation, Black travelers couldn't eat, sleep, or even get gas at most white-owned businesses.
The Green Book listed hotels, restaurants, department stores, gas stations, recreational destinations, and other businesses that were safe for Black travelers. It was a resourceful and innovative solution to a horrific problem. It took courage to be listed in the Green Book, and the stories from those who took a stand against racial segregation are recorded and celebrated.
This young reader's edition of Candacy Taylor's critically acclaimed adult book Overground Railroad includes her own photographs of Green Book sites, as well as archival photographs and interviews with people who owned and used these facilities. The book also includes an author's note, endnotes, bibliography, timeline, and index.
"Taylor has skillfully adapted her acclaimed 2020 adult title for teens into a smooth, readable volume...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." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Enhancing the impeccable writing is an attractive design with Green Book covers, images of the guide's sites, and other period photographs...An impressive insight into Black history that still resonates today." - Booklist (starred review)
This information about Overground Railroad (The Young Adult Adaptation) was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Candacy Taylor is an award-winning author, photographer, and cultural documentarian. Her work has been featured in more than 50 media outlets, including the New Yorker and the Atlantic. She is the recipient of numerous fellowships and grants, including The Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University and the National Endowment for the Humanities. She lives in New York.
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