Poetry for Young People: Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes
By:  Langston Hughes
Edited by David Roessel & Arnold Rampersad
Illustrated by:  Ben Andrews
Sterling Publishing Company
Copyright 2006
Poetry Genre

                                                                    Langston Hughes

     This is an absolutely wonderful book to introduce Langston Hughes poetry to students. I chose to read this book in hopes that I would get to experience a collection of Hughes poetry and the African American culture in poems. This book definitely succeeded my hopes and certainly taught me more than I have already heard about Hughes.
     The first four pages of the book give an excellent biography of Langston Hughes. It includes twenty-six of Hughes poems. Before reading each poem, there is a quick introduction of what the poem is about, for whom and why it was written, and a little information on Hughes life/experiences as an African American. My favorite poem is called Danse Africaine because I love that it is about African dancing. I also love the illustration of the the dancer wearing such a colorful costume. The added bonus is the beautiful illustrations by Benny Andrews. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and simple while still being very detailed.
     I absolutely loved this book and will most certainly use it in my classroom. I am already excited to use it for different reasons. It will teach my students about poetry, history, and Langston Hughes. I can definitely see myself using this book during February for Black History Month. I would recommend this book in a heartbeat.