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Coming Home: From the Life of Langston Hughes
Young Langston Hughes was a dreamer. He dreamed about heroes like Booker T. Washington, who was black just like him. When he heard the clackety-clack of train wheels, he dreamed about the places it had been. But most of all, he dreamed about having a happy home. And so, one day, he began turning those dreams into beautiful prose. As he did, he discovered where his home really was—in the words and rhythms of his poetry that reached people all over the world. The beloved Langston Hughes comes to life in a book for poets, dreamers, children, and adults—anyone who has ever thought of what home means to them.
"Teachers looking for a good way to introduce youngsters to this prominent poet will find this book to be an excellent accompaniment to his work." — School Library Journal
"Like Hughes' poetry, the power of Cooper's story is that it confronts sadness even as it transcends it." — Booklist
"His text is as inviting as his illustrations." — The New York Times Book Review
"Teachers looking for a good way to introduce youngsters to this prominent poet will find this book to be an excellent accompaniment to his work." — School Library Journal
"Like Hughes' poetry, the power of Cooper's story is that it confronts sadness even as it transcends it." — Booklist
"His text is as inviting as his illustrations." — The New York Times Book Review
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 1994
1 person is currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Floyd Cooper
95 books76 followersFloyd Cooper was an American children's book illustrator and author who focused on Black history. He received a Coretta Scott King Award for his illustrations in Joyce Carol Thomas' The Blacker the Berry. He also received several Coretta Scott King Honors for his illustrations.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 22, 2013
"Coming Home: From the Life of Langston Hughes" by Floyd Cooper is a beautiful book that is a wonderful combination of art, poetry, informational text, and narrative style writing.
The art in the book is absolutely stunning. Many of the colors are gold and brown, but the entire book seems to glow. In my opinion, the artist did an excellent job of capturing the emotion of Langston Hughes' life. Each page tells a story just through the artwork!
The language in the book is also very high-quality. Since Langston Hughes was a writer, I would expect a book about him to read like poetry, and it absolutely does. The language is very descriptive and detailed. "He'd run and run until between breaths, he could see the big freighter pulling its load around the curve of the tracks, whistle blowing sweet, as it screeched and clanked: clackedy, clackedy, clackedy. The old rusty cars talking, talking."
I would use this book in many ways in classrooms second grade and up. This is a great book to learn about multicultural literature and study influential individuals in American history. It can also be an avenue to discuss Hughes' life and work. It could even be a powerful mentor text. I think this would be a great addition to any classroom library!
The art in the book is absolutely stunning. Many of the colors are gold and brown, but the entire book seems to glow. In my opinion, the artist did an excellent job of capturing the emotion of Langston Hughes' life. Each page tells a story just through the artwork!
The language in the book is also very high-quality. Since Langston Hughes was a writer, I would expect a book about him to read like poetry, and it absolutely does. The language is very descriptive and detailed. "He'd run and run until between breaths, he could see the big freighter pulling its load around the curve of the tracks, whistle blowing sweet, as it screeched and clanked: clackedy, clackedy, clackedy. The old rusty cars talking, talking."
I would use this book in many ways in classrooms second grade and up. This is a great book to learn about multicultural literature and study influential individuals in American history. It can also be an avenue to discuss Hughes' life and work. It could even be a powerful mentor text. I think this would be a great addition to any classroom library!
November 13, 2020
Floyd Cooper is an author and illustrator whose books are aimed at young readers. Coming Home tells of Langston Hughes's childhood and his quest for home, a theme that would resound in his adult poetry and stories. The sepia toned illustrations are lovingly done and draw the reader or young listener in.
This story presented is factual but is told from the viewpoint of the very young Langston who sometimes lives with a grandparent or one of his parents or even both of them - but he never lived in one place long enough to feel the sense of home he dreamed about. Children who live in "non-traditional" family situations may relate especially to Langston, a lonely young dreamer.
As Langston's early life is seen from this vantage, those who have loved his poetry may find a deeper understanding.
Cooper opens with one of Langston Hughes's poems:
Hope
Sometimes when I'm lonely,
Don't know why,
Keep thinkin' I won't be lonely,
By and by.
This story presented is factual but is told from the viewpoint of the very young Langston who sometimes lives with a grandparent or one of his parents or even both of them - but he never lived in one place long enough to feel the sense of home he dreamed about. Children who live in "non-traditional" family situations may relate especially to Langston, a lonely young dreamer.
As Langston's early life is seen from this vantage, those who have loved his poetry may find a deeper understanding.
Cooper opens with one of Langston Hughes's poems:
Hope
Sometimes when I'm lonely,
Don't know why,
Keep thinkin' I won't be lonely,
By and by.
February 10, 2021
Coming Home: From the Life of Langston Hughes
by Floyd Cooper
I have found this book so informative. I did not know so much of Langston Hughes history. This book takes you through his childhood. It shows the nature of how he was raise influenced his writing. This is a great image of the poet. The book has amazing artwork on top of the stories.
by Floyd Cooper
I have found this book so informative. I did not know so much of Langston Hughes history. This book takes you through his childhood. It shows the nature of how he was raise influenced his writing. This is a great image of the poet. The book has amazing artwork on top of the stories.
August 28, 2020
In this lyrically written biography we learn about Langston Hughes, poet, and his longing for home. What is home?
December 19, 2021
Coming Home is a really sweet and moving portrayal of Langston Hughes's early years and about the meaning ofhome. The author's note is a great touch. The art is gorgeous. Recommended!
March 10, 2022
I am finding so many discrepancies information about Langston Hughes as I teach the children how to use credible research sources.
January 23, 2023
Aside from giving a glimpse into Hughes early life, the writing itself was lyrical and engaging.
March 9, 2010
This is a beautiful book. The pictures and the text pay loving tribute to the life and poetry of Langston Hughes.
Hughes never had a traditional home- he lived first with his Grandmother, then with friends of his mother's who provided the only "home" he really felt a part of. Floyd Cooper uses his soft oil pastels to create a dreamlike quality to represent Hughe's dream of having a home, and uses his text to explain that Hughes found his home eventually inside himself and "his black family that he wrote in words" and in "the stories and rhythms of yet other people." Cooper writes poetry of his own to describe Hughes' life: "He'd ride his ears around the city. Through market Street where everyone sang the song of haggle..." and "the distant faint, familiar sound of a freight train pressed against his ears. Then Langston would bolt off the porch, hit the ground running, chickens aflutter. Quick! past the woodshed. Swoop! around the pump for drawing water...pulling its load around the curve of tracks, whistle blowing sweet, as it screeched, and clanked: clackedy, clackedy clackedy. The old rusty cars talking, talking." Wow. Floyd Cooper is a poet with brush and words and he's crafted a fitting tribute to one of my favorite poets!
Hughes never had a traditional home- he lived first with his Grandmother, then with friends of his mother's who provided the only "home" he really felt a part of. Floyd Cooper uses his soft oil pastels to create a dreamlike quality to represent Hughe's dream of having a home, and uses his text to explain that Hughes found his home eventually inside himself and "his black family that he wrote in words" and in "the stories and rhythms of yet other people." Cooper writes poetry of his own to describe Hughes' life: "He'd ride his ears around the city. Through market Street where everyone sang the song of haggle..." and "the distant faint, familiar sound of a freight train pressed against his ears. Then Langston would bolt off the porch, hit the ground running, chickens aflutter. Quick! past the woodshed. Swoop! around the pump for drawing water...pulling its load around the curve of tracks, whistle blowing sweet, as it screeched, and clanked: clackedy, clackedy clackedy. The old rusty cars talking, talking." Wow. Floyd Cooper is a poet with brush and words and he's crafted a fitting tribute to one of my favorite poets!
March 5, 2013
This book is a great resource for studying the early life of Langston Hughes. It covers Langston's early years as a child as he tries to find his nitch in the world. His grandmother was an exceptional lady that opened his eye's to his own culture, at the same time repressing him from going out and exploring. Through different experiences as he grows up Langstan see's the world differently than others, which most likely helped him express himself in his poetry at a later time. The Illustrations of this book were also beautiful in helping to portray the story. They emotions embedded in Langston's face really helped you to connect with him in a visual way, going along with the connection from the story told.
I would recommend this book for any age middle school and up talking about finding ones home and place in society. There are many discussion points about family and experiences that could be brought into any class. This book is great for a read aloud because of the discussions that can come from it. I highly recommend this book.
I would recommend this book for any age middle school and up talking about finding ones home and place in society. There are many discussion points about family and experiences that could be brought into any class. This book is great for a read aloud because of the discussions that can come from it. I highly recommend this book.
November 30, 2010
This book was a good resource for when when learning about Langston Hughes for my PTLS. I had to teach about the Harlem Renaissance and specifically about Langston Hughes, Louis Armstrong, Babe Ruth, Charles Lindbergh, and Henry Ford. Oviously, I used this book to better my knowledge on Langston Hughes. I liked the pictures that were included and I like how easy it was to find what I wanted to find. It was written in a kid friendly way and therefore was easy to understand. I liked how it told the story about Langston Hughes because it made him more relatable and you could see the journey he went through to be the person we know him as today. He wasn't always famous and his work wasn't always appreciated and that's an important thing for children to realize.
March 9, 2014
Author/illustrator Floyd Cooper recounts the early life of one of America and the world's foremost writers and dreamers, James Langston Hughes. Describing his fairly lonely childhood growing up out in the Kansas countryside with his grandmother, Hughes' origins are full of black heroes who form the foundation from which he views the world.
A great read for any child or person interested in Hughes' life, I would especially recommend this book to teachers and parents of African-American youth. Langston Hughes' inspirational and emotional poetry is rooted in the life experience of black people all across the world. But intimate knowledge of Hughes' personal life enriches a readers' interpretations of his work.
A great read for any child or person interested in Hughes' life, I would especially recommend this book to teachers and parents of African-American youth. Langston Hughes' inspirational and emotional poetry is rooted in the life experience of black people all across the world. But intimate knowledge of Hughes' personal life enriches a readers' interpretations of his work.
March 2, 2011
I fell in love with this book. Both the text and the words made me feel engaged in the life of Langston Hughes. As I was reading, I saw part of myself in his life. This connection made me think about how I can be sure that my students will be also. The illustrations were incredibly engaging and certainly kept my attention. This book will be in my classroom library forever. It will be highlighted during Black History Month and will definitely be used for a history unit.
November 25, 2014
This book is an absolute beauty. The book combines beautiful art along with poetry with a narrative style of writing that makes for a brilliant book! Again the colors are stunning. the main theme seems to be a brown and gold combo but regardless of that , the book glows. The language in the book is very descriptive and compelling. This is a great book to learn about multi cultural literature and study the individuals that influenced American history.
January 14, 2008
Excellent book piognantly captures emotional life of childhood Langston through excellent illustrations. Loneliness is heartfelt. Brownish gold tones of book support an earthy feel. Power of connections to African and black American community and history through family storytelling and arts serve as positive balance to Langston's loneliness. Readers really get a sense of him as a child.
March 7, 2016
Langston Hughes was born into an influential family. However, he never felt like he lived at home. He listened to stories of his family, of heroes that looked like him, and he chronicled everything that happened around him. Hughes was a dreamer, a prolific writer and lover of hope.
Beautifully written and masterfully illustrated. Cooper was destined for greatest because he was born in Oklahoma.
Beautifully written and masterfully illustrated. Cooper was destined for greatest because he was born in Oklahoma.
March 9, 2009
A children's book about the life of the talented and intelligent and humorous poet, Langston Hughes.
December 18, 2011
This is a good interpretation of the life of Langston Huges, poet. The book contains great illustrations. This is a great way to introduce the african-american poet.
March 5, 2012
Great story of the life of Langston Hughes that inspires the reader to learn more about this man and his writing.
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December 15, 2013AR Quiz No. 58955 EN Nonfiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 4.5 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 4.5 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP
December 29, 2015
A biography of James Langston Hughes, mainly told from his childhood. Cooper's illustrations are rich and gorgeous, and the story is engaging. A great read for 5-6 year olds.
February 18, 2016
This book tells of the life of a young Langston Hughes, his heroes, dreams and writing.
April 30, 2017
When a little child, Langston lived in Kansas with his elderly grandmother who admonished him not to play with other children. In the middle of miles of fields, it reality it was not hard to do. The sheer loneliness was difficult. Abandoned by a mother who wanted to become a successful singer/dancer, and a father who fled the bonds of parenthood and moved to Mexico, this precocious child dug deep into himself and found solace in reading.
Eventually, he was taken in by another family. And, in this experience, he paints wonderful poems of food that is bountiful, of a place to stay that is lovely, and of the ability to find love and accept the sheer power of it all.
Highly recommended!
Eventually, he was taken in by another family. And, in this experience, he paints wonderful poems of food that is bountiful, of a place to stay that is lovely, and of the ability to find love and accept the sheer power of it all.
Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews