Finding Langston

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with a major life transition, the loss of a loved one, or the feeling of being an outsider in a new environment. Set against the backdrop of the 1940s Great Migration, the story follows eleven-year-old Langston as he moves from Alabama to Chicago following his mother's death. He struggles with a distant father, a cramped apartment, and school bullies who mock his country roots. The discovery of a public library that, unlike those in the Jim Crow South, welcomes Black patrons, becomes his lifeline. This is a gentle yet profound exploration of how art and literature can help us process grief and find our place in the world. It is ideal for middle-grade readers who appreciate quiet, atmospheric stories and provides a beautiful entry point for discussing African American history and the power of heritage.