Works for Children and Young Adults

Reach for this book when your teenager is beginning to question systemic unfairness or feeling the weight of societal expectations versus their own personal dreams. Through the eyes of Sandy, a young man growing up in a world divided by race and class, Langston Hughes offers a profound exploration of how family love and a commitment to education can act as a shield against hardship. This classic work of the Harlem Renaissance provides a realistic yet deeply soulful look at the Black experience, moving from the warmth of a grandmother's porch to the rigid structures of the upper class. It is an essential read for developing empathy, understanding historical resilience, and discussing how one's environment shapes their identity. Parents will appreciate the book's honesty about poverty and discrimination, balanced by a powerful message of hope and the enduring strength of community.