Langston Hughes for Kids
Harlem Renaissance poet
"Meet Langston Hughes! Born in 1902 in Joplin, Missouri, young Langston loved reading books and listening to the rhythms of jazz music. Even as a child, he felt the magic of words and knew he wanted to be a writer. His grandmother raised him and told him stories about his ancestors who fought for freedom. These stories planted seeds of pride in his heart!"
Fun facts about Langston Hughes
- Langston's grandmother's first husband was one of the men who died fighting with John Brown at Harper's Ferry - she kept his shawl his whole life!
- Langston wrote his first poem in 8th grade when his classmates elected him class poet - he had never written poetry before but decided to try!
- Harlem was called 'the Black capital of the world' - it was full of jazz clubs, theaters, and artists who were changing American culture!
- Langston wrote 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers' while crossing the Mississippi River on a train - he was only 17 years old!
- Langston invented 'jazz poetry' - poems that captured the rhythms and feelings of jazz music. He said jazz was 'the tom-tom of revolt!'
What your child will learn
- Learn about this amazing person
Read the full illustrated story of Langston Hughes
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