Book Review: Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransome

When Langston's mom dies, he and his father move from Alabama to Chicago. Every thing is different, his home, his school, and the especially the library. It is here that Langston discovers the poetry of Langston Hughes, who his mother also loved. 
 

Set during segregation, Langston moves from the south where the library is for "whites only" to Chicago where people of all color can move and live with more freedom. There is a note to the reader at the beginning to explain the use of the terms "colored" and "Negro" as they were used by specific groups of people. Ransome also includes an author's note at the back detailing the events in history surrounding the time that Langston's story takes place including the rapid growth of the black population in Chicago to the Black Renaissance.

"From snooping into letters his dad has saved, he realizes that his mother loved the poetry of Langston Hughes, which inspires him to read everything Hughes has written. Cline-Ransome creates a poignant, bittersweet story of a young black boy who comes to accept his new home while gaining newfound knowledge of the African-American literary tradition. Langston’s heartfelt, present-tense narration, which assumes a black default, gathers readers so close they’ll be sad to see his story conclude. A fascinating work of historical fiction that showcases a well-developed, likable protagonist and presents Cline-Ransome at her best." - Kirkus

Ransome, L. (2018). FINDING LANGSTON. New York: Holiday House. IBSN 9780823445820

What Next?

Read the follow up to this novel, Leaving Lymon.