Long Gone: The Literature and Culture of African American Migration

This series explores the migration experience from Africa to America, from south to north, from rural to urban—a powerful and recurring theme in twentieth-century literature.

Book List

• If He Hollers Let Him Go by Chester Himes
• The Street by Ann Lane Petry
• Praisesong for the Widow by Paule Marshall
• Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
• Blue as the Lake: A Personal Geography by Robert B. Stepto

Program Brochure

The humanities scholar’s essay was written by Valerie Smith, Professor of Afro-American Literature and Culture and Chair of the Program in African American Studies at UCLA.

Download the scholar’s essay, annotated book list, and supplementary texts (PDF). Please note: The American Library Association is the copyright owner of this essay and annotations. The credit lines embedded in the program materials and/or sponsor and funder logos must remain on all published (print and web) materials derived from these materials.

How-To Discussion Programming Guides

Developed to aid participants in “The Millennium Project for Public Libraries,” this how-to guide (PDF) provides basic information about developing and promoting book discussion programs.

When planning a “Let’s Talk About It” program, you may wish to consult the planner’s manual (PDF) for general how-to information about program format, selecting a scholar, promoting your series, evaluation, and more.