Finding Langston by Lesa Cline Ransome

Bibliography

Cline-Ransome, L. (2018). Finding Langston. Holiday House. ISBN 9780823439607

Plot Summary

Life is hard enough as a young boy of color in 1946, but Langston finds himself in the worst situation he’s ever been in. After his mother passes away, his father moves them from the countryside of Alabama to the bustling city of Chicago, Illinois. Away from all his family, friends, and all that’s familiar, Langston is more lonely than ever. With his father working long hours and a bully at school who picks on him for being a country boy, Langston becomes miserable. That is until he happens upon a library that welcomes patrons of color. Although all of his troubles don’t disappear right away, finding this haven full of books will be a turning point that will help Langston feel at home again. 

Critical Analysis

Lesa Cline-Ransom creates an unforgettable historical fiction novel beginning post-World War II. Set in 1946 amid the Great Migration in Chicago, Illinois, readers become immersed in a fictional tale about a young boy. Grieving silently from the loss of his mother, day-to-day life with an emotionally distant father, having moved from the country to the city, and a bully from school constantly taunting him, the main character Langston struggles to find his way in life. Soon, however, Langston mistakenly finds the neighborhood library and it quickly becomes his refuge. The author’s use of language captures the speech patterns used during that time from those of the deep south. Additionally, the incorporation of the George Cleveland Hall Branch of the Chicago Public Library, adds to the authenticity of the story. Readers will become absorbed in this genuine, heartfelt tale of a young boy who learns to find his way and the feeling of home through poetry. 

Review Excerpt(s)

"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."—School Library Journal

"The impact on the reader could not be more powerful. A memorable debut novel."—Booklist

"A fascinating work of historical fiction . . . Cline-Ransome at her best."—Kirkus Reviews

A Junior Library Guild selection!

A CLA Notable Children's Book in Language Arts

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, with 5 Starred Reviews

A School Library Journal Best Book of 2018

Connections

For additional activities related to the book:

• Read the article about the Great Migration on the following website: blackpast.org/aah/greatmigration-1915-1960. Then read aloud “One–Way Ticket” by Langston Hughes: http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/ows/seminars/tcentury/gmigration/Hughes_OneWayTicket.pdf). Discuss with students how this poem reflects the feelings of the people who left the South during the Great Migration. 

• Social Studies/Writing—Ask students to use books in the library or sites on the Internet to research the Harlem Renaissance. The following sites are helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWMus4KHKx4 (for younger students) https://www.poetryfoundation.org/collections/145704/an-introduction-to-the-harlem-renaissance (for older students). Then have them write a newspaper feature for Black History Month that discusses the importance of this cultural movement. Remember to include who, what, when, where, and how. 

• Language Arts/Writing—Langston’s father likes blues songs. He later thinks that the poems of Langston Hughes are similar to the blues. Read about Langston Hughes and the blues on the following website: http://bbkingmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/L.-Hughes-and-theBlues.pdf. Allow students to work with a partner and consider the main character of the novel and his sadness about living in Chicago. Then have them write a blues song or poem called Langston’s Chicago Blues. 

Scales, P. (n.d.). Finding langston educators guide - holiday house. Holiday House. Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://holidayhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Finding_Langston_Educators_Guide_Updated.pdf 

Other recommended books if you liked this one: 

• Leaving Lymon (The Finding Langston Trilogy) by Lesa Cline-Ransome

• Being Clem (The Finding Langston Trilogy) by Lesa Cline-Ransome

• The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson