Major Theme:

This story is about a boy's personal search to discover who he is, his place in society, and ultimately to find a place to call home.  Through his sad and lonely journey, a writer find's his poetic voice.
 

Summary:

This biographical picturebook of Langston James Hughes traces the early emotional events that influence LJH life and writing.  His childhood is sad and lonely.  He yearns for a place to call home.  His earliest years were spent with his paternal "granma" in Kansas.  His lawyer father is in Mexico; denied a law career in Oklahoma because he is black.  Hughes mother is in Kansas City trying to piece together a career as an actress.  The legacy of family heros is passed down to him through his grandmother's storytelling.  He finds a loving home with the Reeds after his "granma" becomes too old to care for him. 

The influences that shape Hughes personality and lend support to his writing include: the lonely cry of train whistles, visiting Booker T.  Washington in person, listening to "granma's" stories, experiencing the jazzy blues of the black district of Kansas City, visiting libraries, seeing plays and opera and witnessing the power of the black church 
 

Question #1

Question #2

Question #3

Use of Language:What does it mean that Langston "rode his ears around the city?

Use of Language:What does it mean that "throughout Market Street one could hear the
song of haggle?"  What is the song of haggle?

Use of Language:Explain  . . . "blues music drifted down the alleys and tickled his soul."

Question #4

List the family heros Granma Hughes told Langston about.  Tell what is heroic about each

Question #5

What do you think it means that Langston Hughes was a dreamer?  What were some of his dreams?

Question #6

Question #7

Question #8

Question #9

Why did Langston prefer the Baptist Church over Auntie Reed's church?

Explain what made the Reed's house feel more like a home to Langston Hughes than his granma's or his ma and pa's.
 

What were some events in Langston Hughes life that helped him become a writer and poet?

 The author says that, "Home was in him."  What do you think it means to say home was in Langston Hughes?

Question #10

Who was the hero in this story?  Explain your answer.

Question #11

Question #12

Question #13

Question #14

Question #15

Question #16

Question #17

Question #18

Extension #1

Extension #2

Extension #3

 Read some poems by Langston Hughes.  Write a response to his poetry.  A response can be:
What do I think about after reading Langston's poetry?
What do I feel?
What do I wonder?

Write a poem about Home or Dreamer

Floyd Cooper is a wonderful illustrator.  Look through Cooper's illustrations.  Let it inspire you to paint a picture about the life of Langston Hughes or copy a picture from Coming Home.

Extension #4

Interview your grandparents, aunts, uncles, or elderly neighbors.  Ask them about stories from their life.  Prepare a report.  It can be a:
written report
picturebook 
oral report
poster
sculpture

Extension #5

Do a internet search on Langston Hughes.  Work with a team and write a report on Langston Hughes.  Be creative:  Use written expression, oral expression, illustrations, if possible multi-media.  Design a time line to complete your report