Gwen Strauss

*ALA 2011 Most Notable Middle Grade Reader
*ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award
*Skipping Stones Book Award
*Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children
*Independent Publisher Book Award
*Whitney and Scott Cordozo Award for Children's Literature
*Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
*Honor book for the Jane Adam's Peace Prize
*Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices
*Jefferson Cup Award finalist
*Georgia Book Center selection: Children's Book All Young Georgians Should Read

The story of the journey of a family traveling from Chicago to Alabama by car. "It was a BIG day at our house when Daddy drove up in our very own automobile—a 1952 Buick!...I was so excited to travel across the country!" Ruth's family encounters many of the obstacles that existed, from whites-only restrooms in gas stations to whites-only hotels: "It seemed like there were White Only' signs everywhere outside of our Chicago neighborhood." The Negro Motorist Green Book comes to the rescue, listing resources for black motorists in every state, and Ruth and her family make their way from safe haven to safe haven until they reach Alabama.

This story touches on a little-known moment in American history with elegance, compassion and humanity. The Negro Motorist Green Book comes to the rescue, listing resources for black motorists in every state, and Ruth and her family make their way from safe haven to safe haven until they reach Alabama.

“A sense of resiliency courses through Cooper's filmy illustrations--beatific portraits of the Esso worker who sells the family their Green Book and the owner of a ‘tourist home’ where the family spends the night radiate strength, kindness, and hope for a better future.” –Publishers Weekly

Here is his obituary