Richard Wright was a prolific author and published more than 20 fiction and nonfiction works. Most of these titles share many of Black Boy’s themes and characteristics, and would increase student understanding of Wright’s writing style and contributions to literature. Of particular relevance is Native Son, a novel that also features as the main character an angry and desensitized young Black boy driven to extremes by the racist and cruel society he inhabits.
Another work to consider is I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Similar to Black Boy, Angelou’s work is autobiographical and offers psychoanalytical reflections and commentary on growing up black in the 20th century...
