I, Too, Am American

By: Langston Hughes

"I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong.

Langston Hughes was a courageous voice of his time, and his authentic call for equality still rings true today. Beautiful paintings from Barack Obama illustrator Bryan Collier accompany and reinvent the celebrated lines of the poem "I, Too," creating a breathtaking reminder to all Americans that we are united despite our differences.

This picture book of Langston Hughes’s celebrated poem, "I, Too, Am America," is also a Common Core Text Exemplar for Poetry."

Awards:

• Winner of the Coretta Scott King illustrator award

Discussion Questions: (before reading)

• What is the title of the book?

• Who and what do you see on the cover of the book?

• What do you think the book might be about?

Activities:

• Have children draw pictures of themselves and use tissue paper to create an overlay of the American flag or a flag of their family heritage.

• Have children divide a piece of drawing paper in half. On one half have them draw a picture of a time when they felt set aside. On the other half have them draw a picture of a time when they felt proud of themselves.