THERE WAS A PARTY FOR LANGSTON

Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books |  October 3, 2023

By Jason Reynolds
Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey & Jarrett Pumphrey

Description

A Caldecott Honor Book
A Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jason Reynolds’s debut picture book is a snappy, joyous ode to Word King, literary genius, and glass-ceiling smasher Langston Hughes and the luminaries he inspired.

Back in the day, there was a heckuva party, a jam, for a word-making man. The King of Letters. Langston Hughes. His ABCs became drums, bumping jumping thumping like a heart the size of the whole country. They sent some people yelling and others, his word-children, to write their own glory.

Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, and more came be-bopping to recite poems at their hero’s feet at that heckuva party at the Schomburg Library, dancing boom da boom, stepping and stomping, all in praise and love for Langston, world-mending word man. Oh, yeah, there was hoopla in Harlem, for its Renaissance man. A party for Langston.

  • “A beguiling, bedazzling collaboration that will send children to the shelves to learn more about all the names within, especially Hughes.”
    –School Library Journal (starred review)

  • "A bar set stratospherically high and cleared with room to spare."
    –Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

  • “Rhythmic and exuberant.”
    –Booklist (starred review)

  • “A high-stepping testament to the enduring cultural influence of Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes.”
    –Publishers Weekly (starred review)

  • “Three creators at the toe-tapping tip-toppest of their game deliver a soulful tribute to a beloved poet, essayist, and cultural leader.”
    –Shelf Awareness (starred review)

  • “A jubilant tribute to the enduring legacy of one of the most prominent voices of the Harlem Renaissance and others whom he has inspired.”
    –The Horn Book (starred review)

Kids’ Indie Next Pick

“All hail Langston Hughes! Jason Reynolds and the Pumphrey brothers celebrate him and his 1991 NY Public Library party in this wondrous picture book. The words dance, and each illustration is a treat! This book begs to be enjoyed — join the party!”

— Barb Bassett, Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul, MN

Review of the Day: There Was a Party for Langston, King of Letters

“A truly great picture book pairing and the start of a beautiful collaboration. Because if he could have seen it, even Langston would concede that there’s no way to improve upon this.”

—Betsy Bird, A Fuse 8 Production

Harlem on Their Minds

“Reynolds and the brothers Pumphrey fill their book with enough love of Langston to keep the party going.”

—Lesa Cline-Ransome, The New York Times Book Review

12 of the Best New Children’s Books Out October 2023

Join luminaries like Maya Angelou and Amiri Baraka in a party for wordsmith Langston Hughes in this jubilant picture book honoring his legacy by award-winning author Jason Reynolds.

PEOPLE’s Best New Books to Read in October 2023

The bestselling YA and middle grade author pays tribute to poet and activist Langston Hughes in his festive and lyrical debut picture book.

Jason Reynolds has a new book for kids. Its message is for everyone.

The book is a colorful celebration of Hughes, Black literature, language, libraries — and joy.