I, Too, Am America

Hughes, L. (2012).  I, too, am America. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Book Summary:

The book is an illustrated version of Langston Hughes’ famous poem about being a black American. Despite prejudice against blacks, the poem still expresses hope for a better future. The illustrator, Bryan Collier, uses Pullman porters (black men who worked on the train) to visually depict the poem. These men worked hard during hard times and also played a part in spreading black culture. As the illustrator explains in the back of the book, these train porters would collect magazines, newspapers, jazz records, and other pieces of culture left behind by passengers and throw them out the back of the train. Poor people working in the fields or others could then find these and learn more about what’s happening in America.

Impressions:

Langston Hughes’ poem isn’t long-winded but definitely packs a punch. In short terms, he describes the feelings of being banished from society but knowing that that won’t last forever. Someday, he believes, people will be ashamed of what they did and no one will relegate blacks to the kitchens. As a black American living during a time of prejudice, he understood these feelings but also understood what it meant to be an American. He knew that others would see blacks as Americans someday. Using Hughes’ poem, Bryan Collier does a beautiful job illustrating the feelings within the poem. Like I said in the summary, he depicts the Pullman porters and shows the items they threw out the train floating through the nation and sharing hope. There’s also a strong sense of patriotism throughout the book, because of the flag motif that Collier uses in his images. I loved the book because I felt that Collier truly depicted the feelings and themes in Hughes’ poem. Although we’ve moved past this time of prejudice, it’s still an important piece of history for young people to know and understand, so that we don’t continue to make mistakes like that in the future. Collier’s book does a great job of portraying that feeling through the pictures in the book, so that his young readers can understand.

Professional Review:

"Hughes’s poem of burgeoning pride in one’s African American identity, written at the height of the Harlem Renaissance in 1925, is interpreted anew in this striking picture book.Collier has visualized the message of the sparely written poem, barely 60 words in length, through the lens of a Pullman porter. … Collier’s signature mixed-media collages create bold, textured images that give tangible expression to the poet’s potent words. A memorable and multilayered volume for all libraries."

Finn, K. (2013, January 28). SLF reviews for top youth media award winners. [Review of the book I, too, am America, by L. Hughes and B. Collier (illus).] School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/2013/01/organizations/ala/slj-reviews-for-top-youth-media-award-winners/

Library Uses:

While an obvious use, I definitely think this book would be critical to use during Black History Month in February. Since the book is a poem, it would be great to use during a storytime during that month, as well as being a part of a display for celebrating black heritage and history in America.