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Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and His Green Book
Hungry? Check the Green Book.
Tired? Check the Green Book.
Sick? Check the Green Book.
In the late 1930s when segregation was legal and Black Americans couldn't visit every establishment or travel everywhere they wanted to safely, a New Yorker named Victor Hugo Green decided to do something about it. Green wrote and published a guide that listed places where his fellow Black Americans could be safe in New York City. The guide sold like hot cakes! Soon customers started asking Green to make a guide to help them travel and vacation safely across the nation too. With the help of his mail carrier co-workers and the African American business community, Green's guide allowed millions of African Americans to travel safely and enjoy traveling across the nation.
In the first picture book about the creation and distribution of The Green Book, author Keila Dawson and illustrator Alleanna Harris tell the story of the man behind it and how this travel guide opened the road for a safer, more equitable America.
Tired? Check the Green Book.
Sick? Check the Green Book.
In the late 1930s when segregation was legal and Black Americans couldn't visit every establishment or travel everywhere they wanted to safely, a New Yorker named Victor Hugo Green decided to do something about it. Green wrote and published a guide that listed places where his fellow Black Americans could be safe in New York City. The guide sold like hot cakes! Soon customers started asking Green to make a guide to help them travel and vacation safely across the nation too. With the help of his mail carrier co-workers and the African American business community, Green's guide allowed millions of African Americans to travel safely and enjoy traveling across the nation.
In the first picture book about the creation and distribution of The Green Book, author Keila Dawson and illustrator Alleanna Harris tell the story of the man behind it and how this travel guide opened the road for a safer, more equitable America.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 26, 2021
About the author
Keila V. Dawson
6 books37 followersKeila V. Dawson worked as a community organizer, educator, and advocate for children with disabilities before becoming a children’s book author. A two-time Ohioana finalist, Dawson writes fiction and nonfiction picture books. Her 2024 Green Earth Book Award winning title, NO WORLD TOO BIG: YOUNG PEOPLE FIGHTING GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE is a companion title to the Special Interest Group International Reading Association Book Award-winning title, NO VOICE TOO SMALL: FOURTEEN YOUNG AMERICANS MAKING HISTORY and the forthcoming NO BRAIN THE SAME: YOUNG NEURODIVERGENT ACTIVISTS SHAPING OUR FUTURE. (2026) She is the author of OPENING THE ROAD: VICTOR HUGO GREEN AND HIS GREEN BOOK, THE KING CAKE BABY, and YUMBO GUMBO which also includes a Spanish edition, El gumbo más delicioso/Yumbo Gumbo (Oct 22, 2024). A New Orleans native, Dawson has also lived and worked in different states, and abroad in the Philippines, Japan, and Egypt. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Other awards and honors for her books include the International Literacy Association 2021 Social Justice Literature Award, a 2021 NCTE Notable Poetry Book, and a 2021 NCSS Notable Book. Honors include being selected as finalists for the 2024 SCBWI Russell Freedman Award for a Better World, the 2020 and 2021 Ohioana Juvenile Literature Award and the 2022 Jane Addams Award. Other award nominations include the New York State Reading Association 2023 Charlotte Award, the 2023-2024 Illinois Bluestem Readers’ Choice Award and the 2023-2024 Louisiana Readers’ Choice Award.
When Dawson isn’t reading, writing, and visiting schools, she’s traveling or playing tennis, or digging in genealogical archives. Find free educational content, read reviews, and articles about her books on her website. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Find free educational content, read reviews, and articles about her books at www.keiladawson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
September 15, 2023
Such an important book - the story of the Green Book is a testament to how the vision of one man can change society for the better - inspirational and filled with a message of hope for better days to come. It is (again) very sad that I had to learn about Victor Hugo Green from a book for children.
January 31, 2021
It's such a stain on our country's history that the Green Book needed to exist, but it is also inspiring that Victor and Alma Green stepped up to produce it. A great introduction and discussion starter for children on the important topics of racism, discrimination and segregation.
July 7, 2022
I read the superb Ruth and the Green Book a few years ago and loved it, so I was looking forward to reading Opening the Road. The two books complement each other nicely: Ruth and the Green Book tells the fictional story of one black family using the Green Book while traveling, while this is the story of Victor Hugo Green and how he came to assemble that famous book Ruth's family used. Opening the Road shows the evolution of the Green Book, from its first edition in 1936 (ten pages long and limited to New York City) to its lengthening as the years passed by. It's not an exaggeration to say that the Green Book completely transformed road travel for black people, making it a whole lot less stressful and a bit safer too. When Victor died, he got to do so with the happy knowledge that he actually helped change the world.
I so enjoyed Opening the Road and am really grateful to see children's books with messages, lessons, and history. Pure entertainment is nice (hello, Pinkalicious), but using this genre to actually teach is a gift to humankind.
I so enjoyed Opening the Road and am really grateful to see children's books with messages, lessons, and history. Pure entertainment is nice (hello, Pinkalicious), but using this genre to actually teach is a gift to humankind.
December 27, 2020
Most people haven’t heard of the Green Book. And those who have, probably don’t know anything about the person who created it. Opening the Road takes the reader inside a piece of history and shares what life was like for African Americans who attempted to travel before legislation prohibited segregation. By tapping into community to collect, compile, and organize businesses that welcomed blacks, Victor Green was able to lay open a navigable path,“opening the road” to make travel safer. Back matter highlights that, despite legislation and the progress made, African Americans still face dangers due to race when traveling.
March 2, 2021
Most people happily think “vacation!” with no worries about where they stay, eat, and relax at. This was not always the case for non-white people (and sadly, still really not the case for BIPOC folks, but at least there are laws now that supposedly protect the rights of all people to go wherever they want). There was a time when, for example, Jewish and Blacks couldn’t just up and go wherever they want. Vacationing, or traveling for work, across the country could be a dangerous journey rather than a relaxing, enjoyable time. Author Keila Dawson writes a moving (no pun intended) story of Victor Hugo Green, the man who created a unique travel guide for Black people to travel safely. It’s a fascinating and important piece of history that should be taught in schools but since it isn’t, this book should be in all libraries, schools, and homes. Alleana Harris does a wonderful job of infusing a nostalgic look to the illustrations that perfectly suits the text.
March 7, 2021
This picture book biography is a great introduction to Victor Hugo Green, the author of the original Green Book that helped guide Black travelers to safe stores, gas stations, hotels, etc. As a postal worker, he worked his way around his route, gathering information from the people he encountered. He published his first Green Book in 1936 that covered only New York City with only 10 pages of information. However, when people began buying his book, they asked if he'd do the same thing for other states. Over the years he requested information from over two thousand Black postal workers across the country to create future Green Books that helped Black travelers going anywhere in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and Mexico. The back matter includes an Author's Note, Timeline, Selected Bibliography, and Quotes.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!!
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January 29, 2021This is a colorful and informative book about the history of the Green Book, a guidebook that listed safe places for African Americans to stop (restaurants, hotels, businesses, etc.) when they traveled. Did you know that Victor Hugo Green was inspired to create it by a Jewish newspaper that gave information about Jewish-owned hotels and resorts? And that more than 2 million copies of the Green Book were sold? This is an appealing picture book to share with young readers to have a conversation about the history of racism and segregation in this country. And the dates on the timeline in the back matter are cars on a road, which is adorable.
June 13, 2021
Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and His Green Book is a children's picture book written by Keila V. Dawson and illustrated by Alleanna Harris. Inspired by a Jewish guide for Kosher food, Victor Hugo Green created a guide for Black Americans during the segregation of the Jim Crow era.
Victor Hugo Green was an American postal employee and travel writer from Harlem, New York City, best known for developing and writing what became known as The Green Book, a travel guide for African Americans in the United States. During the time the book was published, choices of lodging, restaurants and even gas stations were limited for black people in many places, both in the South and outside it.
Dawson's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Dawson's prose throughout the book is understated, which is an interesting choice, considering the emotionally charged subject matter. Backmatter includes an author's note and a timeline. Harris' keen digitally-created melding of artistic expression and socio-political references offers a frank, unsentimental, and impactful view of Black peoples' experience in mid-century America.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It tells the story of how Green got the idea, created the first guide, expanded it because of increasingly popular demand, and ultimately changed the lives of countless people because it offered Black people a list of safe places they could trust. He sold a lot of copies of his guide even before a national gas station chain started stocking it.
All in all, Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and His Green Book is a wonderful book about the power within any of us to make a difference and change the world with an equally wonderful example in Victor Hugo Green.
Victor Hugo Green was an American postal employee and travel writer from Harlem, New York City, best known for developing and writing what became known as The Green Book, a travel guide for African Americans in the United States. During the time the book was published, choices of lodging, restaurants and even gas stations were limited for black people in many places, both in the South and outside it.
Dawson's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Dawson's prose throughout the book is understated, which is an interesting choice, considering the emotionally charged subject matter. Backmatter includes an author's note and a timeline. Harris' keen digitally-created melding of artistic expression and socio-political references offers a frank, unsentimental, and impactful view of Black peoples' experience in mid-century America.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It tells the story of how Green got the idea, created the first guide, expanded it because of increasingly popular demand, and ultimately changed the lives of countless people because it offered Black people a list of safe places they could trust. He sold a lot of copies of his guide even before a national gas station chain started stocking it.
All in all, Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and His Green Book is a wonderful book about the power within any of us to make a difference and change the world with an equally wonderful example in Victor Hugo Green.
February 27, 2021
An origin story about the ubiquitous Green Book.
This biography about Victor Hugo Green sketches out Green's efforts to help other Black Americans navigate the roadways of the U.S. at a time when prejudice and segregation was rampant nationwide.
Dawson's engaging text is clear in its revealing tales about the origin and uses of the Green Book over the years. An author's note in back gives more detailed information about the Green Book, its usefulness, and the concern regarding institutional racism that continues in today's society.
Illustrations created digitally by Alleanna Harris have a retro feel to them. The cars have the appropriate silhouettes for the time period, as well as dress and hair styles. The timeline is cleverly shown as a road. Very fun!
Pair this book with Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Gwen Strauss, illustrated by Floyd Cooper (Carolrhoda Books, c2010), The Gold Cadillac by Mildred D. Taylor (Dial Books, c1987), The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis (Delacorte Press, c1995) and This Is the Rope by Jacqueline Woodson (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2013) in a unit about the Great Migration, using artwork by Jacob Lawrence to add a cross-curricular punch and a replica/facsimile of the Green Book to have students plot their own drive across the U.S.
Highly Recommended for grades 3-8.
This biography about Victor Hugo Green sketches out Green's efforts to help other Black Americans navigate the roadways of the U.S. at a time when prejudice and segregation was rampant nationwide.
Dawson's engaging text is clear in its revealing tales about the origin and uses of the Green Book over the years. An author's note in back gives more detailed information about the Green Book, its usefulness, and the concern regarding institutional racism that continues in today's society.
Illustrations created digitally by Alleanna Harris have a retro feel to them. The cars have the appropriate silhouettes for the time period, as well as dress and hair styles. The timeline is cleverly shown as a road. Very fun!
Pair this book with Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Gwen Strauss, illustrated by Floyd Cooper (Carolrhoda Books, c2010), The Gold Cadillac by Mildred D. Taylor (Dial Books, c1987), The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis (Delacorte Press, c1995) and This Is the Rope by Jacqueline Woodson (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2013) in a unit about the Great Migration, using artwork by Jacob Lawrence to add a cross-curricular punch and a replica/facsimile of the Green Book to have students plot their own drive across the U.S.
Highly Recommended for grades 3-8.
February 8, 2021
This inspiring picture book biography details Victor Hugo Green’s creation and distribution of The Negro Motorist Green Book, or as most people call it today, The Green Book.
In the late 1930’s, Black Americans were not guaranteed safe travel throughout the United States. Segregation barred Black motorist’s access to establishments like gas stations, rest areas, or hotels. The high number of “sundown towns”, all white communities that excluded non-white individuals after dark though intimidating and often violent tactics, made it dangerous for Black Americans to travel long distances.
Inspired by a Jewish newspaper, Victor Hugo Green, a US Postal Service worker in Harlem, decided to write a book to help Black travelers find safe options. The Green Book allowed trips to be planned with hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and many other businesses that welcomed Black customers. This travel guide became an invaluable resource for Black Americans throughout the country, and it flew off shelves, eventually selling over two million copies.
I love that the illustrations by Alleanna Harris bring life not just to Victor’s story, but also to the stories of many Black families who were able to safely enjoy family vacations.
Victor’s story highlights the resilience Black Americans have shown amid the countless obstacles facing them throughout our nation’s history. In the face of enormous challenges like segregation and racism, Victor, Alma, and all of Victor’s Postal service friends found a way to distribute vital information throughout the country, allowing numerous travelers safe passage.
The back of the book contains a fantastic author’s note that includes more historical detail, context around why The Green Book is relevant to conversations about safety in Black communities today, and information on current projects inspired by The Green Book, as well as a timeline.
I would like to thank Beaming Books for sending me a review copy of this amazing book. I am so grateful to be able to share Victor Hugo Green’s story.
In the late 1930’s, Black Americans were not guaranteed safe travel throughout the United States. Segregation barred Black motorist’s access to establishments like gas stations, rest areas, or hotels. The high number of “sundown towns”, all white communities that excluded non-white individuals after dark though intimidating and often violent tactics, made it dangerous for Black Americans to travel long distances.
Inspired by a Jewish newspaper, Victor Hugo Green, a US Postal Service worker in Harlem, decided to write a book to help Black travelers find safe options. The Green Book allowed trips to be planned with hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and many other businesses that welcomed Black customers. This travel guide became an invaluable resource for Black Americans throughout the country, and it flew off shelves, eventually selling over two million copies.
I love that the illustrations by Alleanna Harris bring life not just to Victor’s story, but also to the stories of many Black families who were able to safely enjoy family vacations.
Victor’s story highlights the resilience Black Americans have shown amid the countless obstacles facing them throughout our nation’s history. In the face of enormous challenges like segregation and racism, Victor, Alma, and all of Victor’s Postal service friends found a way to distribute vital information throughout the country, allowing numerous travelers safe passage.
The back of the book contains a fantastic author’s note that includes more historical detail, context around why The Green Book is relevant to conversations about safety in Black communities today, and information on current projects inspired by The Green Book, as well as a timeline.
I would like to thank Beaming Books for sending me a review copy of this amazing book. I am so grateful to be able to share Victor Hugo Green’s story.
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March 5, 2021
A terrific picture book biography about an important topic. The author describes things in clear, simple terms which makes this story very accessible to kids. Two standouts in terms of back matter: the timeline shaped like a road and the frank discussion of Black men recently killed when stopped by police - the author makes it clear that the challenges have not entirely been overcome.
May 17, 2021
I learned so much, and children will too! Imagine being told, “No food…No vacancy…No bathroom…” every time you wanted to travel somewhere. This biographical account of Victory Hugo Green and his Green Book not only teaches and inspires, but also calls for empathy from its readers. Dawson’s powerful storytelling and Harris’s gorgeous illustrations come together to spread Green’s legacy, much in the same way his travel guide spread through black communities and paved the way for a safer America. Much-needed and an absolute MUST for libraries and classrooms.
February 27, 2021
Such an important story that deserves to be in hands and on shelves everywhere! Victor Hugo Green opened the road and Keila Dawson and Alleanna Harris open our eyes to a relatively unknown piece of history. Well done!
May 25, 2021
An excellent and clear description of why and how Victor Green created an African American motorists’ guide. Strong graphics and clear text.
May 20, 2021
The Green Book, published from 1936-1966, provided Black citizens a guide to restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and tourist destinations that were open to them in a time when segregation was often hostile. Kelia Dawson and Alleanna Harris team up to give students in K-3 a brief look at Victor Hugo Green and his goal to help Blacks nationwide feel safe as they shopped and traveled both near and far. Highly recommended for libraries serving the target age group.
Note: For another look at this important piece of history, try Ruth and the Green Book, a fictional picture book by Calvin Ramsey.
Note: For another look at this important piece of history, try Ruth and the Green Book, a fictional picture book by Calvin Ramsey.
February 23, 2021
I had heard of the Green Book and of the importance it held for safe travel for African Americans. But I did not know the man behind it. Or how information was gathered. This is an exceptional book that shines a light on something that many people have never experienced -- taking a road trip and not knowing if you will be able to find a place to eat, go to the bathroom, get gas, or spend the night just because your skin color is not white.
You could pair this book with Nic Stone's Clean Getaway for upper elementary.
You could pair this book with Nic Stone's Clean Getaway for upper elementary.
February 22, 2021
For an excellent lesson plan (aimed at 8th grade students, not elementary students) that uses this book and Ruth and the Green Book as an anticipatory set, please visit my blog.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
February 16, 2021
This nonfiction picture book has great text and illustrations, and it gives a clear, accurate, and succinct explanation of who Victor Hugo Green was, why the Green Book was necessary, and how it positively impacted Black travel. This is a great introduction for kids of any race, and touches on the Civil Rights Movement as part of the story.
February 9, 2021
Opening the Road by Dawson and Harris introduces young readers to Victor Hugo Green and his Green Book, a travel guide created for African Americans to help them journey safely throughout the U.S. during the Jim Crow Era. Having faced discrimination while traveling with his own family, Green, a black postman from Harlem, enlists the help of fellow mail carriers and other community members to compile a list of hotels and restaurants known to be safe ports of call for African American travelers. What begins as a regional effort, soon grows to include data from across the United States, ensuring safe travel for a generation of African Americans. Opening the Road is certainly a fascinating biography about a little-known historical figure and his travel guide but it is also a timely book about activism, social justice, resilience, resourcefulness, and the power of community. Highly recommended!
February 17, 2021
Captivating illustration and story of a very sad but true time in history that is so often untold and forgotten. I can't wait to utilize this in my classroom!
February 15, 2021
A much-needed book about the history behind the Green Book, why it was needed, and how it's still impacting travel today.
April 21, 2021
Keila V. Dawson gifted my young learners and me with such great, insightful writing in her book, OPENING THE ROAD. Her valuable presentation, her rich storytelling of the cruel realities of African American life during the segregated Jim Crow era (and beyond) is an educational, intimate, beautiful narrative. This revealing look into our country’s recent past provoked so many questions from my young learners. The engaging back-matter sparked such thoughtful conversation that it became expanded lessons. What a wonderful, necessary, meaningful read. Keila V. Dawson, we thank you.
February 6, 2021
Before reading this picture book biography, I had never heard of Victor Hugo Green or his Green Book, and that is unacceptable. This inspirational man is so important to history and the fight against racial segregation. He and his wife's work to provide Black Americans with safe places to travel opened so many doors and also helped Black-owned businesses at the same time.
April 22, 2021
A fascinating history of a travel guide for Black Americans navigating the Jim Crow South. I appreciated how the author approached the subject matter, both showing the positive impact of Victor Hugo Green's work and making it clear that the Green Book shouldn't have ever needed to exist. I also appreciated the nod to the anti-racist work that still needs to be done in the future, while ending on a hopeful and positive note. My five-year-old really enjoyed this book and asked for me to re-read it several times (and I learned a lot too). An educational and hopeful read perfect for classrooms, libraries, and home.
February 1, 2021
Books like this make history interesting and personal. Although it is a picture book intended for ages 3-8, I wouldn’t be afraid to use it with older students. Beaming Books has an excellent educator’s guide.
For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...
For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...
January 27, 2021
Opening the Road tells the unknown story of Victor Hugo, a black postal worker who saw a need and acted upon it. In the 1930's, travel for people of color proved challenging. Restaurants wouldn't serve the black community. Hotels turned them away. Even some gas stations refused service. That's when Hugo came up with the idea to compile lists of safe places for people of color to stop along their travels. Hugo's ingenious book was a hit and so is his story as told by Keila Dawson. A timeline and a note from the author are included in the backmatter. Beautifully illustrated by Alleanna Harris, this book is a must for every classroom and library.
January 22, 2021
Eating out. Staying at hotels. Going to the hospital. They are all things that we take for granted, but for black citizens in the United States, they were too often told no: No Blacks Allowed. In 1936, tired of hearing no, Victor Hugo Green decided to create a list of the places in New York City, where he lived, where black travelers to the city could be safe. The book was such a success that just two years later, he published the first national edition. Author Keila V. Dawson and illustrator Alleanna Harris’s nonfiction picture book OPENING THE ROAD: VICTOR HUGO GREEN AND HIS GREEN BOOK (Beaming Books, 2021) takes the reader on the journey through U.S. segregation to civil rights, using cause and effect to highlight the role Green’s book played in opening the country to African-Americans. A fabulous book about a little known aspect of U.S. history. For teachers, Dawson’s website includes a great educational guide, with activities for a variety of grades.
January 22, 2021
Recent films and TV shows have highlighted The Green Book, but this is the first picture book to tackle this fascinating and important subject. Dawson and Harris do a fantastic job with compelling and poignant text and visual details that provide a strong sense of the segregation-era setting and the urgent need The Green Book filled. I also learned a lot about the man behind the book. For instance, Victor was a mail carrier and he worked on this book in the evenings after long days spent delivering mail. And he sought the help of mail carriers from across the country, asking them to share the names and addresses of places that welcomed Black customers. We follow the book from its inception to the final edition (1966-1967) and end with the acknowledgement that though segregation by race had become illegal, “the fight against racism still had – and has – a long way to go.” This engaging book both informs and moves the reader. Highly recommended!
April 16, 2021
Opening the Road relays the experience of black travelers in America during the first half of the 20th century. Finding a rest stop during a road trip is a human need, but Victor Green knew that even this necessity was often closed to African Americans. His Green Book turned the 'No's that frustrated and intimidated black travelers into 'Yes's that opened the world to road trips and vacations. Safety and welcome were now part of the travel equation thanks to the Green Book, which stayed in print until shortly after the Civil Rights Act passed.
January 28, 2021
I am always thrilled to find a new piece of history to share with kids. THIS is a hidden gem for sure! Even the smallest kids can relate to being treated unfairly. Victor Hugo's journey in helping others to access essential needs is inspiring -- one person can make a huge difference!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews