Richard Wright, born Richard Nathaniel Wright on 4 September 1908, was an African-American writer. Wright is known for writing provocative and controversial stories and novels centered on themes of race and racial relations. In fact, he has been credited with helping to chance the manners in which race and race relations were addressed and discussed in 20th century America. Richard Wright’s personal experience was marked by growing up in a broken and impoverished family in the 1910’s and 1920’s South. In Black Boy, his autobiography, he writes about being so hungry that he would gorge himself on tap water just to be able to appreciate the sensation of having a full stomach. As a young man, he relocated to the northern United States. His observations of the differences between the North and the South, as well as discussions of his experiences as a young black man in the North are also present in his autobiography. In Black Boy, Wright discusses his early fascination with literature. In
What does the illustration show? Suggest that students write down some questions they hope to have answered as they read the book. Tell students to keep these questions in mind as they read. Vocabulary Have students scan the story for unfamiliar words such as rebel, optician, polished, boardinghouse, ignored, suspicious, nervously, roamed, spines. List these words on the chalkboard and briefly discuss students’ thoughts about what the words mean. After Reading Discussion Questions After reading the book, use these questions to generate discussion and expand students’ understanding and comprehension. Encourage students to refer back to the text as needed. • Why was a library card so important to Richard Wright? • What kinds of obstacles did Wright have to overcome? What sacrifices did he make to achieve his goal of reading books from the library? • Why do you think Jim Falk lent Richard Wright his library card? Why did Falk want to keep it a secret? • What words would you use to describ