Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri on February 1, 1902. He went to live with his grandmother, Mary Sampson Patterson Leary Langston, in Lawrence, Kansas for his first thirteen years. Despite her earlier prominence in the African American community in Lawrence, by the time Langston lived with her she was old, poor, and not able to give him the attention a growing boy needed. This and the rejection he felt (from both of his parents), left Hughes insecure and often unsure of how to react or behave. In eighth grade, he did begin to blossom and started writing—he was named class poet. The long path to greater recognition was a struggle for the talented Hughes. His relationship with his father was never easy but his father did send him to Columbia for a year after being impressed that his work had been accepted by the Brownies Book and Crisis magazines. During this time Hughes was quickly becoming a central part of the Harlem "scene." He was immersed with the many inspirational writers, musicians, and artists that were a burgeoning part of "the Harlem Renaissance." He was probably the major leader of the literary part of the era. He did return to college at the historically black Lincoln University in Pa. He became interested in politics and explored socialists teachings and ideas. As he expanded his intellect and thinking he went on to write many influential works of poetry, a long running newspaper column, and lyrics to the Broadway musical "Street Scene." His work for Broadway gave him financial security and he was able to buy a home in Harlem. He produced many more works as the years rolled by and became recognized as "Poet Laureate of the Negro Race," a title he was proud to acknowledge.
The following web site is a useful source for more information: http://www.kansasheritage.org/crossingboundaries/page6e1.html
Contributor: Sheilah Egan
Reviews
The Harlem Renaissance
Dana Meachen Rau
As the title indicates, this book focuses solely on the Harlem Renaissance. Rau defines what this time period offered--when literature, art, and music flourished in the black community during the 1920s--and explains why this movement was revolutionary for its time. She offers a brief background detailing the hurdles the African American community had to overcome, and why many settled in the neighborhood of Harlem. Biographies of key individuals are offered, such as author Langston Hughes and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston. Furthermore, Rau describes how the performing arts flourished as well. While she includes the hardships that this community faced, such as the high cost of living and the effects of the Great Depression, she concludes by illustrating how the movement influenced our world today. Nearly every page contains a historical photograph or a copy of Harlem Renaissance artwork, which makes the ideas more real for the reader. At the conclusion of all the books in the "We The People" series, there is a glossary of terms that is relevant to the topic, a "Did You Know?" list of historical facts, a timeline, and, perhaps best of all, a listing of additional resources, such as books and websites. Overall this is an excellent tool to assist a child learning about a key period in African American history and is a great addition to a library's collection. 2006, Compass Point Books, $23.93 Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Elizabeth Sulock (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7565-1264-6
ISBN: 978-0-7565-1264-4
Jazz Age Poet: A Story about Langston Hughes
Veda Boyd Jones
Illustrations by Barbara Kiwak
Lerner's series on creative thinkers presents intriguing glimpses of the human heart and spirit at its noblest and most productive. In Words of Promise, coverage of the source of the Negro anthem "Lift E'vry Voice and Sing" captures the agonizingly small advances of black writers in the Jim Crow era. First Son and President follows the life of John Quincy Adams to old age, when he successfully pled the case of the African mutineers aboard the slave ship Amistad. The story of Booker T. Washington, A Hunger for Learning, describes the complex relationship between the educator and President Theodore Roosevelt. Jazz Age Poet characterizes the genius of Langston Hughes and his influence on the Harlem Renaissance. These books illustrate the best in children's nonfiction--quality research and writing and eye appeal at a price that families, schools, and public and church libraries can afford. Highly recommended for the biography shelf. (Creative Minds Biography Series) Category: Biography, Personal Narrative. KLIATT Codes: J*--Exceptional book, recommended for junior high school students. 2006, Lerner, 64p. illus. index., $6.95 each. Ages 12 to 15. Reviewer: Mary Ellen Snodgrass (KLIATT Review, January 2006 (Vol. 40, No. 1)).
ISBN: 978-1-57505757-6
ISBN: 1-57505757-3
Langston Hughes: the Harlem Renaissance
Maurice Wallace
This attractive and cleanly designed volume in the "Writers and Their Works" series introduces readers to Langston Hughes, the era in which he lived, and Hughes' major works. The biographical portion of the book briskly narrates the poet's development as a writer during the Harlem Renaissance, as well as his political evolution--in particular, his flagging faith in American democracy and his growing admiration of Communism and the Soviet Union. A chapter summarizing the Harlem Renaissance follows the biographical material, and in turn is followed by the second part of the book, entitled "Major Works." Wallace summarizes and excerpts Hughes' poetry collections The Weary Blues and Fine Clothes to the Jew, and also discusses critical reactions to both. Of Hughes' prose works, the book provides a chapter-by-chapter plot summary of the novel Not Without Laughter; a scene-by-scene summary of the play Mule Bones, and briefly introduces Simple Speaks His Mind, a collection of stories in the voice of Hughes' popular character (Jesse B. Simple) from his newspaper column. Wallace's own prose sometimes is convoluted (in describing Hughes' high school in Cleveland, for example, he writes, "Some African-Americans also attended Central, but their numbers were far from evidencing that black students were an integral part of the rich diversity of Central's students"). Still, readers will find a great deal of information here, presented with care and admiration. Back matter includes a listing of Hughes' works, chronology, notes, and bibliography. 2007, Marshall Cavendish, $27.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Debbie Levy (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7614-2591-5
ISBN: 0-7614-2591-8
Langston Hughes: The Voice of Harlem
Brenda Haugen
Hughes lived during a very interesting time for black artists. Although his home was in various areas of the United States and Mexico, his true home was Harlem. His home on E 127th St. in Harlem is currently open to the public. Poetry readings by budding artists are given periodically at his residence. As a youngster he lived occasionally with his grandmother his mother and his father in Mexico. By the time he graduated from high school he had been chosen as school poet and had written "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," which would become the first poem he would publish. It was based on what he felt the Mississippi River and slavery meant to blacks. Throughout his life he continued to write and publish about what life was like for blacks in his day. Since he enjoyed music he also utilized his writing talent by working on operas and musicals. He was truly a Harlem Renaissance man. 2006, Compass Point Books, $30.60. Ages 10 to 13. Reviewer: Leila Toledo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7565-0993-9
ISBN: 978-0-7565-0993-4
Updated 1/26/09
To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here.
If you're interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.