James Baldwin's Go Tell It on the Mountain is a semi-autobiographical novel exploring the spiritual and psychological awakening of John Grimes, a young Black teenager in 1930s Harlem. Through a single day at a Pentecostal church service, Baldwin weaves together family history, religious fervor, and the complex negotiations of identity, sexuality, and faith. The novel reveals how personal salvation is inseparable from understanding one's family's painful past.

WHY WE PICKED IT: Because Baldwin understood that coming of age means confronting the weight of everything that came before.

DETAILS: • Author: James Baldwin • Publisher: Vintage • Format: Paperback • Publication Date: May 17, 2005 • ISBN: 9780375701870 • Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days