Finding Langston

Bibliography

Cline-Ransome, L. (2018). Finding Langston. Holiday House.

Plot Summary

This story is about eleven-year-old Langston who moves from Alabama to Chicago with his father in 1946 following the death of his mother. Langston struggles with his new city, new school, and new way of life. The other children refer to him as “country boy.” Langston feels alone in the world until he finds solace in a place that had not been open to him before. In Alabama, libraries were for white’s only but in Chicago Langston is amazed to find that the local public library welcomes everyone. It’s in those stacks while he is hiding out that Langston finds comfort in the words of Langston Hughes. Langston then finds out, through letters written to his father from his mother, that his mother also found solace in the words of Hughes and named her only son after him.

Critical Analysis

Cline-Ransome’s first novel is set in the mid-1940s during the time of the Second Great Migration. She is able to detail conditions faced by African Americans in the South and the North post-World War II. Langston’s narrative voice allows readers to peek inside his heart and feel his sensitive nature as he dwells on the past and the trials he is currently facing. The chapters of this book are short which make this book a great introduction to historical fiction for young readers. 

Review Excerpts

From Booklist: 

“Every character, child and adult, is layered, a feat made more remarkable by the fact that the writing is spare. Emotions and relationships are teased out through quiet details and glimmers of understanding, but the impact on the reader could not be more powerful. A memorable debut novel.” -Ilene Cooper

From Kirkus:

“A fascinating work of historical fiction that showcases a well-developed, likable protagonist and presents Cline-Ransome at her best.”

Awards and Honors

• A Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book

• Winner of the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction

Connections

This book can be paired with Langston Hughes’ poem “Mother to Son” as an introduction to poetry. Students can then write a poem titled “Father to Son” as they write about what they think Langston’s father might have said to him in the novel. 

This book can be used along with others as an introduction to the Harlem Renaissance. Other books to consider include:

• Harlem’s Little Blackbird by Renee Watson

• The Entrance Place of Wonders by Daphne Muse

• Poetry for Young People: Langston Hughes by David Roessel

• Harlem Stomp! by Laban Carrick Hill