Melodies of The Weary Blues

Langston Hughes (1902-1967) ranks as one of the greatest American poets of the twentieth century. A landmark figure in the Harlem Renaissance, his work profoundly captures and celebrates the trials and triumphs of his exquisitly drawn characters. In addition to his poetry, he was also the author of the novels Not Without Laughter and Something in Common, the play Mulatto, and two volumes of autobiography.

[An] arresting illustrators’ anthology that riffs on works from Langston Hughes’s first poetry collection, The Weary Blues. Thoughtfully created with young readers in mind, it’s an affecting, visually inviting variation of a much-beloved work. — Publishers Weekly (starred review)Well-chosen poems and spirited illustrations celebrate the legacy of a Harlem Renaissance luminary. — KirkusA twenty-three-artist ensemble interprets poems from Hughes’s poetry collection The Weary Blues in an illustrated volume that emphasizes the poems’ musical motifs. What could have been a patchwork quilt of styles instead becomes a cohesive conversation among individual artists. The anthology serves as a resonant introduction for new readers of Hughes’s work, allowing them to experience the music of his poetry before returning to seek more profound meaning. — The Horn Book Inc. (starred review)Both reprise and improvisation, resonating with soul, this masterfully curated tribute lifts up Hughes’ iconic voice and renders it newly urgent and enduringly timeless. A luminous centennial celebration of poetry certain to make every young reader feel something and find something that’s transformative. — Booklist (starred review)A glorious collection of artwork, each with its own flavor and flair to match the meaning behind the poem it illustrates (…). A must-purchase for elementary and even middle school poetry collections, it will introduce students to a mighty, beloved poet in an accessible way. — School Library Journal (starred review)