African American Poetry
Poetry for Young People: Langston Hughes
Edited by David Roessel & Arnold Rampersad and Illustrated by Benny Andrews
Bibliography
Hughes, Langston. 2006. Poetry for Young People: Langston Hughes. Ed. David Roessel and Arnold Rampersad. Ill. by Benny Andrews. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. ISBN: 9781402718458
Book Review
African American heritage resonates in this collection of twenty-six thought provoking poems by well-known poet, Langston Hughes. His poems speak of the Harlem Renaissance, African American heritage, and about segregation which was so prominent during his life time. Readers definitely feel the musical tones of jazz and blues permeating through his poems. This book is beautifully organized with a table contents and an index to help readers locate poems, or information related to these poems. Illustrator Benny Andrews presents his beautiful paintings with a nostalgic flair which integrates the true beauty of African American art. The bright and colorful pages with dusty hues give a classical finish that is reminiscent of the classical era in which Langston Hughes lived. It is also noticeable throughout his illustrations that Andrews is extremely knowledgeable of the different events that Hughes presents in his poems.
In an effort to make these poems understandable for children, Roessel and Rampersad add definitions to some of the words or events mentioned in Hughes‘ poems. For instance, in the poem, “Merry-Go-Round,” the term “Jim Crow” is identified for readers to fully understand the meaning and reason for the poem. The sad reality of segregation is experienced through the eyes of a child in this poem titled, “Merry-Go-Round.” This wonderfully sorrowful poem speaks of a child who anxiously watches and wonders if there will be an opportunity for a ride on the much anticipated merry-go-round. However, Jim Crow laws did not allow African Americans of any age to experience such joy with white folks. The painting by Andrews further rips at your heart strings as he shows a lonely bewildered child looking at the vibrant and enticing merry-go-round.
Merry-Go-Round
Colored Children At Carnival
Where is the Jim Crow section
On this merry-go-round,
Mister, cause I want to ride?
Down South where I come from
White and colored
Can’t sit side by side.
Down South on the train
There’s a Jim Crow car.
On the bus we’re put in the back-
But there ain’t no back
To a merry-go-round!
Where’s the horse
For a kid that’s black?
Definition excerpt from this book:
Jim Crow - refers to the Jim Crow Laws that enforced segregation of blacks and whites and were adopted in the Southern states after the U.S. Civil War. These laws were overturned or repealed after World War II.
Extensions
The poems presented in this book will complement lessons or units that teach about segregation and the reason for African American History month.
Children can write a sorrowful poem depicting the feelings of the young boy in the poem, “Merry-Go-Round.”
Read other Poetry for Young People series:
Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson - ISBN: 9781402754739
Poetry for Young People: Maya Angelou - ISBN: 9781402720239
Poetry for Young People: Robert Frost - ISBN: 9780806906331
Poetry for Young People: Walt Whitman - ISBN: 9780806995304 (It is interesting to note that Langston Hughes was quite fond of Mr. Whitman’s work)
Image Source: Amazon.com