Weatherford, Carole Boston (2008). I, Matthew Henson. New York, N Y: Walker & Company. Illustrated by Eric Valasquez. ISBN: 0-8027-9688-5.
Matthew Henson was no ordinary man. His dreams and ambition were always challenged as he accepted different jobs learning new skills and traveling to new places. Meeting Admiral Peary changed his life forever as they endeavored to reach the North Pole.
The illustrations were created using Prismacolor Nupastel and Prismacolor soft pastel on Wallis paper.
Rating: 5Q/3P
Curriculum Use:
American History
Explorers
Black History Month
Rhythm through the text
The following is an example of rhythm through the text as demonstrated in I, Matthew Henson where there is a cadence and a flow to the author’s words.
The first seven pages of text begin with the words “I did not or I had not” in the following example:
“I did not walk forty miles from the nation’s capital……” Page 4
“I did not start as a cabin boy, climb the ranks to able-bodied seaman…….” Page 7
“I did not take a job as a stock boy at a men’s store to work my way up…..” Page 8
“I did not sail to the tropics just to launder shirts and cook meals.” Page 10
“I had not earned Peary’s turst to part ways and turn my back on adventure.” Page 12
“I did not befriend the Eskimos, learn to build a sledge, handle a dog team,……….” Page 14
“I did not sail north with Perry again and again through the frozen sea……….” Page 15
Once Matthew Henson meets Perry, the wording changes to “We had not” and later some of the text changes back to “I had not.”
“We had not braved the frozen wilderness, going miles beyond the last village, ….” Page 17
“We had not survived the frigid cold that broke some and killed others….” Page 18
MWood
Weatherford, C. B. (2008). I, Matthew Henson : polar explorer. Illustrations by Eric Velasquez. New York: Walker.
ISBN-13: 978-0-8027-9689-9
In first-person, eight-line stanzas, this picture-book biography chronicles the accomplished life of Matthew Henson, the African-American explorer who rose from being a cabin boy to accompanying Admiral Robert Peary on his Arctic expeditions, facilitating and participating in the discovery of the North Pole in 1909. Although Henson’s contributions were initially not given their due, his legacy has since been recognized, including being awarded National Geographic Society’s Hubbard Medal and being reburied next to Peary in Arlington National Cemetery. The pastel illustrations in blacks, blues, browns, and whites pay tribute to the icy Artic.
Pair with Katherine Kirkpatrick’s The Snow Baby: The Arctic Childhood of Admiral Robert E. Peary's Daring Daughter or Dolores Johnson's photobiography Onward
Curricular connection: Civil rights/Discrimination/ Grade 11 HSS 11.10
Artwork: Pastels in white, gray, pale blue, and brown that work well to depict vast icy landscapes. See information about his work and awards at www.ericvelasquez.com .
Subjects: North Pole discovery; Explorers; Survival; Prejudice; Racism
Themes: Equal work deserves equal recognition. Hard work leads to reward.
Literary Device: Repetition (very distinctive style -- "I did not start as a cabin boy, climb the ranks to able-bodied seaman, sail the five continents . . . .to be shunned by white crews who thought blacks were not seaworthy . . .My dreams had sails."--This "I did not" pattern repeats frequently.)
Theme Discussion: Carole Boston Weatherford’s I, Matthew Henson: Polar Explorer is the very personal tale of beating the odds and succeeding in a dramatic way in a world that did not recognize him as equal to other men because of the color of his skin. Matthew Henson was a survivor in every way. Through intelligence, dedication, hard work, and perseverance, he achieved what he set out to do, including being the first man to reach the North Pole, right alongside his mentor Admiral Peary. Thus, the central theme is that meeting challenges such as prejudice and fear directly, as well as believing in yourself, is the only avenue to true success.
Weatherford comments, "I mine the past for family stories, fading traditions and forgotten struggles." See more on her website, including awards and other titles at www.caroleweatherford.com .
Category: Non-fiction 910.911
Age Level Recommendation: Upper Elementary
Rating: 4Q/3P
AAS 5-3-08
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