SEARCHING FOR MR. JOHNSON'S SONG

A young Black boy visits his neighbor each morning, only to find that a cherished gospel hymn has slipped from the older man’s memory.

Caius, who used to sing frequently with his grandfather, knows that songs can be memories that “make even the coldest day feel like summer.” Determined to help Mr. Johnson, Caius embarks on a quiet search—reading books, listening to records, and, finally, talking to his grandmother—to recover the lost lyrics and, in doing so, preserves a shared piece of cultural history. Enhancing the story, an author’s note frames gospel hymns as a longstanding tradition in Black communities, linking past to future and bridging generations. Vanece also explores the history of the song in question, “Further Along,” once heard in churches and later recorded by artists from Sam Cooke to Dolly Parton, adding depth and cultural resonance to the narrative. Orlando’s warm illustrations deepen both the hymn and the story, layering emotional texture with historical detail and a vivid sense of the present. Vanece’s prose demonstrates how a child’s unprompted empathy and support for an older neighbor can make a meaningful difference in both of their lives. Also commendable is how the story quietly reflects the reality of many children’s lives by depicting a nontraditional family structure (Caius lives alone with his grandmother) without making it a point of conflict or focus.

A tender portrayal of a child’s bond with an elderly neighbor.