Richard Wright grew up in the woods of Mississippi, with poverty, hunger, fear, and hatred. He lied, stole, and raged at those around him; at six he was a "drunkard," hanging about taverns. Surly, brutal, cold, suspicious, and self-pitying, he was surrounded on one side by whites who were either indifferent to him, pitying, or cruel, and on the other by blacks who resented anyone trying to rise above the common lot. "The restored text, established by the Library of America." "Originally published in 1945 by Harper & Brothers ... The text as restored by the Library of America was published in 1991 ... First HarperPerennial edition published 1993"--T.p. verso. Interest Level: YA ATOS Book Level: 7.4 AR Interest Level: UG AR Points: 22 AR Quiz: 12777EN Lexile Measure: 950 Fountas & Pinnell: Z Iowa Core ELA.