John Henry

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR:  Julius Lester/Jerry Pinkney

PUBLISHER:  Penguin Group             

PUBLICATION DATE:  1994

AWARDS:  Caldecott Honor

GENRE:  Folktale                   

READING LEVEL:  Grades 3-4

BRIEF OVERVIEW:  John Henry was a big strong man.  He could hammer faster than anyone around.  A new challenge arises when a machine is said to be better than John Henry.  John Henry and the machine enter a competition that could be the end of John Henry’s life.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY:  Students will determine the theme of the folktale.  They will draw pictures of John Henry and write the theme on top of their papers.

 REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION:  Holly Hunt, Valdosta State University