Welcome to Fort Goode

Lang Ford is moving, again. He’s leaving his school, friends, and community for his dad’s new post at Fort Goode Military Base in Virginia. As Lang settles into his new life and meets new friends, he learns that as long as his family is together, he is home.

This encouraging and relatable children’s book, by Winsome Bingham, conveys how when one person serves in the military, the whole family serves in the military. It brings you into the life of a Jamerican boy who must learn to balance friendship, family, and adapting to his new home. The book also includes a glossary of terms for the reader and even includes a recipe for Jamaican Grater Cake!

Fun Fact: Where did the name Ft. Goode come from: The author said that since bases are usually named after presidents and generals, she wanted it to look like a name (hence the "e" at the end of Goode and a slight nod to Fort Hood in Texas. She really wanted to call it Fort Hood as in "we live in the ’hood," but since it’s an actual base she couldn’t do that.). Also, because she is African American (and so is the main family), she wanted a nod to the 1970s military recruiting slogan calling for "The Good Black Soldier."