Kindle
$7.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Hardcover
$10.69
Paperback
$6.79
Kindle Price: $7.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Audiobook Price: $12.28

Save: $4.79 (39%)

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Lesa Cline-Ransome
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Finding Langston (The Finding Langston Trilogy) Kindle Edition

by Lesa Cline-Ransome (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 685 ratings
See all formats and editions
A Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book
Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

When eleven-year-old Langston's father moves them from their home in Alabama to Chicago's Bronzeville district, it feels like he's giving up everything he loves.

It's 1946. Langston's mother has just died, and now they're leaving the rest of his family and friends. He misses everything-- Grandma's Sunday suppers, the red dirt roads, and the magnolia trees his mother loved.

In the city, they live in a small apartment surrounded by noise and chaos. It doesn't feel like a new start, or a better life. At home he's lonely, his father always busy at work; at school he's bullied for being a country boy.

But Langston's new home has one fantastic thing. Unlike the whites-only library in Alabama, the Chicago Public Library welcomes everyone. There, hiding out after school, Langston discovers another Langston--a poet whom he learns inspired his mother enough to name her only son after him.

Lesa Cline-Ransome, author of the Coretta Scott King Honor picture book Before She Was Harriet, has crafted a lyrical debut novel about one boy's experiences during the Great Migration. Includes an author's note about the historical context and her research.

Don't miss the companion novel, Leaving Lymon, which centers on one of Langston's classmates and explores grief, resilience, and the circumstances that can drive a boy to become a bully-- and offer a chance at redemption.

A Junior Library Guild selection!
A CLA Notable Children's Book in Language Arts
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, with 5 Starred Reviews
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2018
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    8 - 12 years
  2. Book 1 of 3
    The Finding Langston Trilogy
  3. Print length
    110 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    3 - 7
  6. Lexile measure
    760L
  7. Publisher
    Holiday House
  8. Publication date
    August 14, 2018
  9. Page Flip
    Enabled
  10. Word Wise
    Enabled
  11. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  12. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  13. ISBN-13
    978-0823439607
  14. See all details
Next page
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
All 3 for you in this series See full series
See included books
Total Price: $25.97
By clicking on above button, you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use
More like Finding Langston (The Finding Langston Trilogy)
Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
  4. The Finding Langston Trilogy    3 book series
Next page
Loading...

From the Publisher

Great migration;coretta scott king award;black history;African American history;black history month

"A fascinating work of historical fiction"—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Realistic fiction;historical fiction for kids;award-winning kids novel;books for black history month

"The impact on the reader could not be more powerful. A memorable debut novel."—Booklist, Starred Review

Diversity;we need diverse books;ownvoices;African American protagonists;moving;bullying;emigration

Don't miss these other fantastic titles!

"A captivating novel about a boy whose story will leave readers wanting more."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Diversity;we need diverse books;ownvoices;African American protagonists;moving;bullying;emigration

Family;emigration;social justice;segregation;train travel;realistic fiction;migration;historical

Underground railroad;civil war;women's history;activism;history;civil rights;African american

African American biographies;jazz biographies;jazz music;jazz trumpet;illustrated biography for kids

Editorial Reviews

Review

★ "An engaging, quick, and relatable read that skillfully incorporates themes of race, class, post-war American life in the North and South, and a bit of Langston Hughes' poetry. This is a story that will stay with readers long after they've finished it."—School Library Journal, Starred Review

★ "The impact on the reader could not be more powerful. A memorable debut novel."—Booklist, Starred Review

★ "A fascinating work of historical fiction . . . Cline-Ransome at her best."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ "Finding Langston is about cultural heritage and personal growth and, at its heart, about finding home wherever you land.”—Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

★ "Written in short chapters, this crisply paced book is full of historical details of the Great Migration and the role a historic branch library played in preserving African American literary culture."—The Horn Book, Starred Review

"There aren’t any explosions in this spare story. Nor is there a happy ending. Instead, Langston discovers something more enduring: solace. To quote Langston Hughes: 'My black one / Thou are not beautiful / Yet thou hast / A loveliness / Surpassing beauty.'"—The New York Times

An ILA Teacher's Choice Title
A Coretta Scott King Honor Book
Winner of the 2019 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
A Junior Library Guild selection

About the Author

Lesa Cline-Ransome is an award-winning writer and editor who has written more than ten picture books for children, including two ALA Notable books. A graduate of the Pratt Institute, she holds a Master's Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from NYU. Based in Rhinebeck, New York, she is married to artist and illustrator James E. Ransome, with whom she frequently collaborates.

Dion Graham is a multiple Audie award–winning narrator and a critically acclaimed actor who has performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, internationally, in films, and in several hit television series, including HBO's The Wire. His performances have been praised as thoughtful, compelling, vivid, and full of life.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07B2JVL5P
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Holiday House (August 14, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 14, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2425 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 110 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 685 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Lesa Cline-Ransome

Lesa Cline-Ransome

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Lesa Cline-Ransome’s first book was the biography Satchel Paige, an ALA Notable Book and a Bank Street College “Best Children’s Book of the Year. She later created a number of picture books including Quilt Alphabet, Major Taylor: Champion Cyclist, Young Pele, Words Set Me Free, My Story, My Dance, and Germs: Fact and Fiction, Friends and Foes. Her verse biography of Harriet Tubman, Before She Was Harriet, was nominated for an NAACP image award, and received a Coretta Scott King Honor for Illustration. Her newest picture biography is Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams. Finding Langston, her debut middle grade novel is a 2018 School Library Journal Best Book, Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Novel and New York Public Library Best Book of 2018.

Lesa’s books have received numerous honors and awards including NAACP Awards , Kirkus Best Books, ALA Notable, CBC Choice Awards, two Top 10 Sports Books for Youth, a Christopher Award, Jane Addams Award and an Orbis Pictus Recommended Book. She lives in the Hudson Valley region of New York with her husband, and frequent collaborator, illustrator James Ransome. Visit her at www.lesaclineransome.com.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
685 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Translate all reviews to English
Ingrid
5.0 out of 5 stars Recomendado
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
Mi hija quedó encantada con este libro, excelente material de estudio, gracias.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Sharif
5.0 out of 5 stars finding solace in poetry
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book pulled at my heartstrings. Langston’s mother passes away. He and his father move from rural Alabama to Chicago. Langston has a hard time adjusting to his father’s bland meals, being alone a lot, having a horrid school bully call him “country boy,” and other troubles. He finds solace in the public library, which is open to all races during a time when other parts of the country are segregated. The library exposes Langston to a new world of poetry, particularly with the works of Langston Hughes and other African American writers. Langston Hughes…did his mother name him after this poet? It’s an interesting question to think about as one gets closer to the ending.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
A. Redman
5.0 out of 5 stars A Coming of Age Story
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2021
Verified Purchase
I read this book because one of the children in my congregation has to read for his summer reading assignments. He was excited about reading it because his name is also Langston. Since I have been looking for a way to connect with him, I told him I would read it also.

I loved how Ms. Cline-Ransome explored the effect of the great migration through the eyes of the pre-teen as he seek to find himself in a strange and new environment. While at the same time tackling racism and other childhood struggles.

Can’t read the next installments.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Edith A. Campbell
4.0 out of 5 stars Historical Fiction
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2018
Langston and his father moved from Alabama to Chicago after Langston’s mother died. He’s is having a difficult time adjusting to the new city and its peculiar ways. School is hard because he has no friends and is bullied for being a ‘country boy’. Luckily for Langston, his world is filled with trusting and caring adults. And, a library! Here he learns the origin of his name and how poetry can help him connect his thoughts and feelings to others.

Of the many lessons that Langston learns, the one most significant to readers is the importance of words, both in conversations with others and in the poetry and prose that we read. This book of only 100 pages will make a good choice for school and public libraries. I can see many teachers adding it to their curriculum.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Todd Masse
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for 3rd and 4th graders
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book was so well written and engaging. I teach 3rd grade and am eager to use it with my students. It is historical fiction, and the author uses the words "colored" and "Negro". I intend to have a discussion prior to reading the text with my students about the use of historical language and how it's appropriateness may change over time. Lesa Cline-Ransome has created a very engaging story about a young boy moving from the country to the city in 1946. She beautifully captures his emotions and poetically shares his story. I loved the ending - perfect!
12 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Jeanie Lemon
5.0 out of 5 stars Play it again
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2022
Verified Purchase
I liked the use of a relationship with the library in this book. It was so good I played it again later that week.
Helpful
 Report
Lisa Crayton
5.0 out of 5 stars Add to must-read pile
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book was so incredibly good. I highly recommend it for reading any time, but a good summer read. Great for kids in life transition because of moving, new school, death of parent. Other themes include father as single parent, bullying, poetry, friendships, and Black History, including famous Black writers. There really is that much going on in these pages. And while the word is focused on understanding racism, the book is useful for understanding historical impacts.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Candee Cline
5.0 out of 5 stars Bits of the Great Migration in and easy read!
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2021
Verified Purchase
"Finding Langston" is an excellent book that I purchased on Amazon. It arrived quickly and undamaged. I have purchased many chapter books and self-help resources in this manner because when I want a book to read, I want to read now. Never been disappointed. A well-written piece of fiction for all kids!
Helpful
 Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report