A Natural Man: The True Story of John Henry Contributor(s): Sanfield, Steve (As Told by), Thornton, Peter J. (Illustrator) |
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ISBN: 1939160855 ISBN-13: 9781939160850 Publisher: August House Publishers OUR PRICE: $8.96 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: September 2014 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places - United States - African-american - Juvenile Fiction | Fairy Tales & Folklore - Anthologies - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places - Africa |
Dewey: FIC |
Lexile Measure: 790 |
Physical Information: 0.13" H x 7.02" W x 9.99" (0.35 lbs) 48 pages |
Themes: - Ethnic Orientation - African American - Cultural Region - African |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: A masterful retelling about the legendary, steel-driving hero, John Henry.This timeless ballad has been part of American folklore for over a century. Born with a hammer in his hand, John Henry discovers his true calling as a steel-driving man, but he inevitably meets his match in a race against a steam drill that provides a powerful metaphor for the disruption and loss of innocence created by the industrial age. John Henry gains respects from the townspeople due to his courage and strength . Thornton's charcoal drawings deftly capture the triumphal spirit of this cautionary tale. Reviewers praise Sanfield's literary skills and describe the story as "balladry" and "lyrical." Appropriately, the story also includes a song about John Henry that the whole class will enjoy. |