Finding Langston

Why might Lesa Cline-Ransome have chosen to set Finding Langston in 1946? Would the novel’s themes or main ideas be as effective if it were set in more recent years? Why or why not?

Langston’s last name is left out of the novel (as is his father’s). Taking into account that identity is an important theme in Langston’s story, explain why the author identifies Langston and Henry only by their first names.

Although Langston’s father occasionally quotes the Bible, Langston suggests that he and Henry are not particularly devout because their “faith got buried right along with Mama” (40). What is Langston’s relationship with his religion, and how does it actually contribute to his growth throughout the novel?