Module 5- SLIS 5420

My People
by Langston Hughes, Photos by Charles R. Smith Jr.

Hughes, Langston. (2009). My people. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Summary

This book is a beautiful tribute to African Americans today. Smith has taken the poem written by Hughes many years ago and added wonderful sepia photographs of black people of all ages, showing their beauty, color, and character. Though there are few words in the book, it speaks its message with grace.

Impressions

I was quite enchanted with the photography done by Smith in this book. His use of light, while keeping the subjects against a black background, really showcases the people and makes their faces the true focus. The pictures were very well matched to the words of the poem, as well. This is a very creative and interesting book and I enjoyed reading it.

Reviews

In his first book using digital prints and the iris-printing process, photographer/poet/author Charles R. Smith Jr. uses sepia-toned photos that, when paired with the classic Langston Hughes poem "My People," create an intense and nuanced montage. "The images are printed on a watercolor paper," says Smith, who trained at the Brooks Institute of Photography. "This gives…a great richness and adds a little texture to the highlights." Permeated with a sense of pride and celebration, the book satisfies and enriches.

My People. (2009). Kirkus Reviews, 77(22), 6.

The book is a tribute to the poet and to the differences in appearance that make our species so amazing. The celebration of poetry and photography in the book create a piece of art that can be appreciated for its beauty alone and also for its educational value as a study in metaphor and rhythm. The possibilities for reading, understanding, and enjoying are endless with this book.

My People. (2009). Library Media Connection, 27(6), 88.

Suggestions for Use

This book would be an excellent choice to use in a poetry unit. Read the book first, then pull the words of the poem out and examine them separately, without the pictures. Discuss what kind of poetry Hughes has used and what his message was when writing this poem. Then go back and look at the story again and discuss the choices of photographs and subjects that were used for the book. Ask students if the photos and words work well together, or if they would maybe make different choices, and if so, what they might be.