Independent Reading Level: Grades 4-8
Awards: Coretta Scott King Award 2019, Scott O'dell Award for Historical Fiction

Independent Reading Level: (Ages 9+)
Awards: Audie Award (Finalist – Middle Grade – 2019)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee – Grades 4-6 – 2021)
Bluestem Award (Nominee – 2021)
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (Nominee – 2021)
Coretta Scott King Award (Honor – Author – 2019)
CSMCL Best Multicultural Book (2018)
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (Fiction – 2018)
Lectio Book Award (Nominee – 2020)
Massachusetts Children's Book Award (Nominee – 2021)
Nutmeg Book Award (Nominee – Intermediate – 2023)
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee – Grades 3-6 – 2021)
Sasquatch Book Award (Nominee – 2021)
Scott O'Dell Award (2019)

From Kirkus: "A fascinating work of historical fiction that showcases a well-developed, likable protagonist and presents Cline-Ransome at her best."

Sweet character, a librarian. ( )

This story is set in 1946, the year after WWII ended. Langston and his father have moved north from Alabama during the Great Migration seeking work and a new life after Langston's mom passed away due to illness. It never directly states, but it seems that Langston's parents were sharecroppers in Alabama based on some statements about "working the land" and "going further into debt" to the landowner. Langston is a fish out of water in Chicago, kids make fun of him because he is from the country, and he deeply misses his mom. He happens upon a library one day as he is fleeing his bullies, and is amazed that such a place exists. The librarian introduces him to the poet Langston Hughes, and he spends every day after school reading poetry and remembering his mom and old home. I recommend this book for 2nd grade and up.