Baldwin Collected Essays

Bibliographic Information:  

• Title: Baldwin Collected Essays  
• Author: James Baldwin  
• Publisher: The Library of America  
• Copyright Date: 1998  

Genre: Biography, Teen, America  

Reading Level: Teenager  

Plot Summary: James Baldwin’s essays examine his life growing up in America. Being Black in America has fundamentally changed his life and his world views. He talks about his early life in New Jersey and growing up with his family. He describes the differences between white and Black people. He provides in-depth analysis and a breakdown of how white Americans continue to hold power in the country. He examines all the social, political, and economical ways white Americans have set up power to ensure they remain in control. He also delves into the history of Black Americans in the country and how colonialism has affected Africa. Baldwin is searching for answers to achieve a better quality of life for Black people in America. Still, the constant discrimination or dismissive attitude of white Americans makes it hard. He also talks about how institutions like the white church are hypocritical and purpurate discrimination and segregation. He ends with an essay on his life in Paris and his interactions with white people, examining the many differences in the way they see the world.    

Author Background: James Baldwin is an American author from New York City in Harlem. He was a writer, playwright, and essayist who spent part of his time in Greenwich Village. He went to Paris in 1948 and fell in love with France. For the rest of his life, he divided his time between France and New York. He continued writing throughout the rest of his life. His later works included Tell Me How Long the Train’s Been Gone, If Beale Street Could Talk, and Just Above My Head, and The Price of the Ticket (Britannica, 2020).   

Critical Evaluation: Baldwin presents his ideas and hammers home his points with details and anecdotes that leave you convinced by his arguments. The writing flows between personal accounts and history lessons and context to back up his points. While his work is more geared towards adults, teens will recognize themes of not fitting in, loneliness, and racial discrimination. The writing is divided into essays written over his life. Some of his writing was done in Paris, and it provides a European view on race and the way race works in France.   

Creative Use Library Program: I would have this book read in classes as a school librarian. This book talks about lots of issues still relevant in America. I would have students read the book and then divide them into groups. Their groups would then create a presentation about each essay in the book and present to the class about what they got out of the essay and lessons they feel the class should learn.   

Book Talk: James Baldwin is one of America’s most influential and insightful writers. His writings on his life as a Black man in America is still influential to millions of Americans. He discusses his life growing up in America, his life in New York City, and exploring life in Paris. His writings will change how you view race in America and challenge you to reexamine the world around you.   

Potential Challenge Issue: There are no challenge issues currently. Potential challenge issues in the past are possible, as Baldwin’s critique of white Americans would likely cause controversy.   

Reason for Inclusion: I included this book because I wanted to have more non-fiction items for teens to read. James Baldwin is also one of the most respected and influential authors and writers in American history, and teens should be aware of his work and writing. Many of his thoughts and ideas have influenced the way people talk and view race in America, an important subject today. I think people should be aware of his work.

Baldwin, J. (1998). Baldwin Collected Essays. The Library of America.  

James Baldwin. (2020). Britannica. Retrieved December 1, 2020, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Baldwin.