Langston Hughes [Library Binding]

Milton Meltzer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1997 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Tells the story of a leading poet of the Harlem Renaissance during the 1920s who devoted his life to writing about the black experience in America.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up. A handsomely illustrated edition of Meltzer's 1968 title. Meltzer and Hughes were friends and collaborators on book projects, so the portrait painted here is more personal than many of the other available offerings. Alcorn's stylized, two-toned prints pique excitement and interest and invite repeated viewings. The artwork, plus the larger, clearer format for the text, will attract readers who would not have picked up the earlier edition. Each chapter begins with the graphic image of a flower springing from the gutter of an open book, superimposed over the silhouette of a cityscape. Only slight, subtle changes have been made in the well-written text. The word "Negro" has been changed in some places to "African American" or "black." An author's note precedes the text. The bibliography has been updated and includes audio and video recordings. The compelling artistry of this edition makes it a first-purchase consideration even for libraries that own the older title.?Marilyn Fairbanks, East Junior High School, Brockton, MA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6^-12. Meltzer's 1968 biography of writer Langston Hughes is reissued here in a large, handsomely illustrated edition. The illustrator's note, with its talk of images permeated with "analytical and synthetic cubism," won't be accessible to most teens; but the black-and-white pictures with tints of sepia and blue are rhythmic and powerful. Like those he did for Meltzer's Lincoln in His Own Words (1993) and Frederick Douglass in His Own Words (1995), Alcorn's illustrations combine elements of folk art, social realism, and abstract imagery. In his fascinating author's note, Meltzer talks about researching and writing the life story of his friend, about reading Hughes' own work, not to get an enormous clutter of facts, but to find out "what he taught and felt and dreamed and feared and hoped." Hazel Rochman

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 240 pages
• Publisher: Millbrook Press (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761302050
• ISBN-13: 978-0761302056
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,204,695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great use as a Middle School Resource!!, May 17, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Langston Hughes (Library Binding)

I had a copy of the 1968 version of the Langston Hughes biography. It is a thorough in depth portrayal of Langston Hughes. Helped by his closeness to his subject, [Mr. Meltzer was friends with Langston, who died suddenly before this biography was completed] he had primary and secondary sources at hand that made this a personal, very detailed account of Langston's amazing, sometimes lonely, life. His use of poetry to punctuate certain points of Langston's life, in particular, the poem read at his wake, and the poetry written about lynchings, made these vignettes memorable and powerful. I recommend this book strongly to all readers who admire Langston Hughes. You may find yourself discovering facts about Langston of which you had no clue! Read it!