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beautyfullperla's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
momwrex's review against another edition
5.0
Historical fiction that is also a coming-of-age/journey-of-discovery story about a young man who loves books and poetry, discovers a library that he is allowed to use...
It is classified as "young adult," but it is a pleasure to read at any age.
It is classified as "young adult," but it is a pleasure to read at any age.
jcarsrud's review against another edition
5.0
This was an excellent historical fiction with Langston, a boy from Alabama who moved to Chicago with his father during what is now called, “The Great Migration.” Langston finds out the way to survive is through books he finds at his local library that allows people of color to have a library card.
kdawge's review against another edition
4.0
Historical fiction that grounds young reader's into the context of the Great Migration, showing with emotion and empathy what it was like for a young boy to not only have to pack up everything he knew in the south and trade it for a city up North, but also what it was like to be a black boy in 1946.
It also seamlessly introduces it's readers to the poetry of Langston Hughes and what the impact of his words could be on a young reader. I'm a middle school teacher and would highly recommend this to any teacher of the middle grades looking for a text that situates their student's in the time before the civil rights era while also introducing them to the prolific artists of our time that emerged from that period of history.
It also seamlessly introduces it's readers to the poetry of Langston Hughes and what the impact of his words could be on a young reader. I'm a middle school teacher and would highly recommend this to any teacher of the middle grades looking for a text that situates their student's in the time before the civil rights era while also introducing them to the prolific artists of our time that emerged from that period of history.
frombookstoreaders3's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
embe94's review against another edition
5.0
This is my new comfort book. Langston travels through grief, and shame, as he gets used to his new home with his daddy. He finds a library, and discovers the words of his namesake, Langston Hughes, and the world opens up to him in new, raw ways. He battles with a bully, and the fear that his daddy won’t like him reading so much, but these words do more for him than he could imagine. Short, bittersweet, and absolutely heartwarming. Definitely a book for new readers, readers who haven’t found their book, or anyone looking to read something that’s like drinking a warm cup of tea on a cold winter’s night.
alexilse's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
dblue236's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
wombat_88's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bookishpuzzler's review against another edition
5.0
Read this book! It’s a heartbreaking and hopeful story. Also, Langston’s joy at being allowed inside a library and falling in love with books is so moving.