Finding Langston
Holiday House 2018
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- grief and healing
- Great Migration
- father–son relationships
- identity and belonging
- bullying
- power of poetry and literature
- resilience
- community
About this book
After his mother dies, eleven-year-old Langston moves with his father from rural Alabama to Chicago’s Bronzeville in 1946. Feeling alone in a noisy, unfamiliar city, he finds unexpected comfort at the public library and in the poetry of Langston Hughes. The story gently explores grief, bullying, and the search for belonging, while celebrating books and the power of words. A short, accessible historical novel that resonates with middle-grade readers.
Setting: Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, 1946; memories of rural Alabama
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Finding Langston right for my child?
Yes — Finding Langston is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.6, which is typical for 4th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include grief and healing, Great Migration, father–son relationships.
How long does it take to read Finding Langston?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Finding Langston takes around 1.9h to finish. The book has 17,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Finding Langston have an AR quiz?
Yes — Finding Langston has an AR quiz available, worth 2 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Finding Langston?
Finding Langston has an AR reading level of 4.6, which places it at a 4th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.