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A review by celia_thebookishhufflepuff
Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransome
5.0
For a novel under 150 pages, there was a lot packed into this!
I've always loved books where the character loves or discovers their love for books and libraries, especially when it helps them cope with a difficult situation. When Langston moves to Chicago from Alabama after his mother dies in 1946, he has a lot to learn -- about northern customs, his family, and especially himself. While escaping from bullies he finds himself in the George Cleveland Hall branch of the Chicago Public Library. As a black boy in the 1940s, he knows nothing about libraries, and it's interesting as he tries to figure out call numbers, checking out books, and other library conventions that aren't explicitly taught.
The idea that any American, even in that time period, would not know how to use a library is mind-boggling to me, and I never considered that in the segregated South, most of the time these were not options for people. I grew up in a very diverse town where the kindergarten classes had field trips to the local libraries to get library cards and learn how to check out books. My elementary school had a well-stocked library with multiple librarians who cared about students and their reading choices. We were also taught very early on how to use this. I'm just now coming to terms with the fact that we don't see this in most areas of the country even today, including the city I want to work in as a teacher in the near future.
I loved the way Langston discovered poetry through noticing the book with his name on it (Langston Hughes) and discovering all he could from there. This discovery serves as a catalyst for his family- and self-discovery throughout the novel, including ideas of who his mother was and who his father is. Through this explanation of poetry, [b:Finding Langston|36982551|Finding Langston|Lesa Cline-Ransome|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1517933853l/36982551._SX50_.jpg|58789101] also discusses gender roles and questions societal roles in general. Even though this is very clearly set in black post-WWII Chicago, the takeaways are applicable for people across the country today as well.
This is the first realistic (historical or modern) book that I've read in a long time where I'm super curious about the sequels or companion novels, and about what they do to enhance this story as a whole. Even though I aim to teach younger students than the intended audience, I definitely intend to have this book in my future classroom.
I've always loved books where the character loves or discovers their love for books and libraries, especially when it helps them cope with a difficult situation. When Langston moves to Chicago from Alabama after his mother dies in 1946, he has a lot to learn -- about northern customs, his family, and especially himself. While escaping from bullies he finds himself in the George Cleveland Hall branch of the Chicago Public Library. As a black boy in the 1940s, he knows nothing about libraries, and it's interesting as he tries to figure out call numbers, checking out books, and other library conventions that aren't explicitly taught.
The idea that any American, even in that time period, would not know how to use a library is mind-boggling to me, and I never considered that in the segregated South, most of the time these were not options for people. I grew up in a very diverse town where the kindergarten classes had field trips to the local libraries to get library cards and learn how to check out books. My elementary school had a well-stocked library with multiple librarians who cared about students and their reading choices. We were also taught very early on how to use this. I'm just now coming to terms with the fact that we don't see this in most areas of the country even today, including the city I want to work in as a teacher in the near future.
I loved the way Langston discovered poetry through noticing the book with his name on it (Langston Hughes) and discovering all he could from there. This discovery serves as a catalyst for his family- and self-discovery throughout the novel, including ideas of who his mother was and who his father is. Through this explanation of poetry, [b:Finding Langston|36982551|Finding Langston|Lesa Cline-Ransome|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1517933853l/36982551._SX50_.jpg|58789101] also discusses gender roles and questions societal roles in general. Even though this is very clearly set in black post-WWII Chicago, the takeaways are applicable for people across the country today as well.
This is the first realistic (historical or modern) book that I've read in a long time where I'm super curious about the sequels or companion novels, and about what they do to enhance this story as a whole. Even though I aim to teach younger students than the intended audience, I definitely intend to have this book in my future classroom.