Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Bibliography:
Cline-Ransome, Lesa. 2018. Finding Langston. Narrated by Dion Graham. Holland, OH: Dreamscape Media. ISBN: 9781974907045
During the Great Migration of 1946, Langston and his father adjust to a new life in Chicago, far from their southern roots in Alabama, the only home they've ever known. Langston's father works hard to make a better life for them, especially as they mourn the loss of Langston's mother and financially support their family back home. Langston works hard at disappearing in the background to not be bullied by boys who call him "Country." One afternoon, Langston discovers a branch of the Chicago Public Library where he desperately wishes to visit but is hesitant at first due to his father's warning of segregation. Soon after, Langston bravely enters the library, and to his surprise, finds out that the library is for everyone — all residents of Chicago. Every day after school, Langston secretly escapes to the library to hide from the bullies and without his father's knowledge. At the library, Langston learns about the great poet his mother named him after, Langston Hughes, and his similar experience of being a southern boy feeling like an outcast in the north. As Langston becomes more familiar with Langston Hughes' poetry and life, he starts to see similarities in the people around him and takes a closer look at his new life.
Critical Analysis:
Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransome is a phenomenal story of a Black family's self-discovery during the era of Jim Crow and the Great Migration. Many readers will relate to Langston's dynamic with his father as he navigates his way through a new city, new neighbors, new schoolmates, and a new life altogether. Readers will also relate to his discovery of exploring the library for the first time and finding his first favorite writer. The realistic characters bring the mid-nineteen-forties of the late Chicago Black Renaissance to life, including great literary authors like Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Richard Wright. I might be biased, but the librarian is my favorite character because of her believable positive attitude about inclusion and successfully doing her job by introducing Langston to Langston.
Children will easily understand the story's plot and not get bogged down with too many details that overpower the narrative. The setting is especially an integral part of the story since the plot is about Langston and his father finding their new roots in North America and getting used to segregation being a concept of the past. Cline-Ransome's voice shines southern through Langston's perspective too. At the heart of the story, many themes are woven in that are relevant to today, including family, forgiveness, bravery, heartache, inclusion, friendship, and love.
Finding Langston perfectly blends authenticity and fiction. Lesa Cline-Ransome thoroughly researched her story through personal experiences, family accounts, and her examination of Chicago and the Great Migration. I highly recommend listening to this story on audiobook; Dion Graham is spot on. All readers will enjoy Langston finding Langston and himself.
Review Excerpts:
Awards & Recognitions:
Awards & Recognitions:
- 2019 Coretta Scott King Book Award Nominee
- Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
- A CLA Notable Children's Book in Language Arts
- A Junior Library Guild selection
- A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
- A School Library Journal Best Book
From Booklist, "The impact on the reader could not be more powerful. A memorable debut novel."
From The Horn Book, "Written in short chapters, this crisply paced book is full of historical details of the Great Migration and the role a historic branch library played in preserving African American literary culture."
From Kirkus Reviews, "A fascinating work of historical fiction . . . Cline-Ransome at her best."
From The New York Times, "There aren’t any explosions in this spare story. Nor is there a happy ending. Instead, Langston discovers something more enduring: solace. To quote Langston Hughes: 'My black one / Thou are not beautiful / Yet thou hast / A loveliness / Surpassing beauty.'"
From School Library Journal, "An engaging, quick, and relatable read that skillfully incorporates themes of race, class, post-war American life in the North and South, and a bit of Langston Hughes' poetry. This is a story that will stay with readers long after they've finished it."
Connections:
- Encourage patrons or students to have an open discussion about the Jim Crow era and why Langston is hesitant about visiting the library at first. Does anyone relate to Langston?
- Host an open discussion about bullying with patrons or students. Help them come up with an action plan to report bullying and how to prevent it.
- If you're not in a public library, plan a field trip to your local library to encourage students to sign up for free library cards.
If you enjoyed reading Finding Langston, check out the other two novels in this trilogy by Lesa Cline-Ransome:
- The sequel to Finding Langston: Leaving Lymon. ISBN: 9780823444427
- The upcoming third novel: Being Clem. The publication date is set for this August 2021!
Read other historical fiction novels by Lesa Cline-Ransome:
- Freedom's School. James E. Ransome (Illustrations). ISBN:9781423161035
- Light in the Darkness: A Story about How Slaves Learned in Secret. Illustrated by James E. Ransome. ISBN: 9781423134954
- Overground Railroad. Illustrated by James E. Ransome. ISBN: 9780823438730
Read similar historical fiction and realistic fiction novels like Finding Langston:
- Bowles, David. They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid's Poems. ISBN: 9781947627062
- Moore, David B. The Stars Beneath Our Feet. ISBN: 9781524701253
- Ryan, Pam M. and Peter Sís. The Dreamer. ISBN: 9780439269704
- Woods, Brenda. The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA. ISBN: 9781524737092
Extra Content: To Kick Those Boredom Blues
Listen to a sample of the audiobook narrated by Dion Graham!
Listen to a sample of the audiobook narrated by Dion Graham!