Booker T. Washington’s hunger and determination to learn are the focus of this picture book account that follows him from his youngest days as a slave, carrying schoolbooks for his master’s daughter and overhearing her lessons, to his journey hundreds of miles, mostly on foot, to Georgia’s Hampton Institute, where he was determined to continue the education he’d pieced together growing up. Along the way—through childhood, and upon his arrival at Hampton—Booker’s dream is supported by family members and neighbors, and his own hard work, whether he was studying, or working to earn the money he needed to get to and stay in school. Additional facts about Booker and his journey are part of the end matter that also includes an insightful author’s note with more information about Booker T. Washington and decisions Jabari Asim made in writing this story. (Ages 5–9)

Booker dreamed
of making friends with words,
setting free the secrets
that lived in books.

Born into slavery, young Booker T. Washington could only dream of learning to read and write. After emancipation, Booker began a five-hundred-mile journey, mostly on foot, to Hampton Institute, taking his first of many steps towards a college degree. When he arrived, he had just fifty cents in his pocket and a dream about to come true. The young slave who once waited outside of the schoolhouse would one day become a legendary educator of freedmen.

Award-winning artist Bryan Collier captures the hardship and the spirit of one of the most inspiring figures in American history, bringing to life Booker T. Washington's journey to learn, to read, and to realize a dream.