Summary of the Theme
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.

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   Scholar's essay, annotated book list, and supplementary texts (pdf)*

"How To" Discussion Programming Guide
Developed to aid participants in “The Millennium Project for Public Libraries,” this programming guide provides basic information about developing and promoting book discussion programs.

* 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.