Finding Langston: Chapters 8–20

by Lesa Cline-Ransome
After moving to Chicago from Alabama, an eleven-year-old boy finds solace and inspiration in the poetry of Langston Hughes.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–7, Chapters 8–20
25 words 261 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. skillet
    a pan used for frying foods
    Down two flights our neighbor on the second floor has her apartment door open and the smell of eggs and bacon frying in the skillet on the stove makes my stomach growl.
  2. wring
    twist, squeeze, or compress in order to extract liquid
    Daddy hangs a rope across the room to hang the clothes till they dry, stiff and hard. No matter how hard Daddy wrings them, they still drip on the floor.
  3. snicker
    laugh quietly
    “Country...,” someone snickers from behind. I think it’s one of the kids from school till I turn and see only grown-ups in line behind us.
  4. scripture
    any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group
    Daddy brought along his Bible, so we read Proverbs 3:5 along with the deacon’s scripture reading: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
  5. plait
    weave into a braided hairdo
    And at night, after Grandma cooked our dinner and cleaned up too, she sat by the bed, brushing and plaiting Mama’s hair, and singing songs so sweet my eyes filled with water.
  6. nonfiction
    prose writing that is not formed by the imagination
    “You have any books on trees?” I ask.
    “Right over there in the nonfiction section. Try the 580 call numbers,” she says.
  7. chant
    utter monotonously and repetitively and rhythmically
    “He told you, Lymon,” they chant.
  8. plot
    a small area of ground covered by specific vegetation
    Your mama wanted to come north something bad. She didn’t want you working a plot.
  9. tramp
    walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
    I want to tramp in the red mud, Lawd, and
    Feel the red clay round my toes.
  10. earthy
    of or consisting of or resembling the soil
    In Langston Hughes’ words I can smell that earthy clay in the front yard.
  11. fare
    the sum charged for riding in a public conveyance
    “Can’t, Langston. Barely got enough for one fare, let alone two. My boss said I could take a week and settle my affairs, then I’ll be back.”
  12. sprawl
    sit or lie with one's limbs spread out
    As I hear him go down the stairs, I sprawl on my bed.
  13. smother
    envelop completely
    I ain’t had a meal this good since I left home. Pork chops smothered in gravy, green beans floating in butter, cornbread hot and fluffy.
  14. surpass
    be or do something to a greater degree
    My black one,

    Thou art not beautiful
    Yet thou hast

    A loveliness
    Surpassing beauty.
  15. scribble
    write down quickly without much attention to detail
    At long, wooden tables folks sit reading or with books spread out, some scribbling down words on pads of paper.
  16. Renaissance
    the revival of learning and culture
    “Yes, they are. Many are from the Harlem Renaissance, and some”—she turns the page—“are from right here in Chicago.”
  17. forum
    a public facility to meet for open discussion
    “In fact,” she says, serious now, “I heard him read one of his works not too long ago at the Hall Library. They have a wonderful lecture forum run by the librarian there. Do you know his work?”
  18. anthology
    a collection of selected literary passages
    The cover says it’s an anthology and when I asked Mrs. Robins what an anthology is, she said it means a collection.
  19. blues
    a type of folksong that originated among Black Americans
    My daddy listened to the blues back in Alabama on an old scratchy record.
  20. kin
    a person related to another or others
    After her folks passed, she moved from kin to kin and couldn’t stay in one school long enough.
  21. sashay
    walk with a lofty proud gait, often to impress others
    Up ahead I see Miss Fulton sashaying toward the building.
  22. patron
    a regular customer
    She smiles then. “Of course not, Langston. You are our number one patron.” I sure don’t know what patron means, but I like the way it sounds. Number one patron.
  23. liken
    consider or describe as similar or equal
    I would liken you
    To a night without stars
    Were it not for your eyes.
  24. shuffle
    walk by dragging one's feet
    I shuffle sleepyheaded to the table. Toast ain’t burned too bad this morning so I start with that.
  25. frostbite
    damage to bodily tissue caused by extreme cold
    I hope my feet don’t get frostbite in the snow while I’m waiting. That’s how cold I hear Chicago gets in winter.
Created on Tue Sep 03 16:54:48 EDT 2019 (updated Tue Sep 03 16:56:38 EDT 2019)

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