Many know the story of Robert Peary’s great 1909 expedition to reach the North Pole. Yet few people know that Peary was joined on this grueling, history-making journey by fellow explorer Matthew Henso
Many know the story of Robert Peary’s great 1909 expedition to reach the North Pole. Yet few people know that Peary was joined on this grueling, history-making journey by fellow explorer Matthew Henson.
Henson was born just after the Civil War, a time when slavery had been abolished, but few opportunities were available for black people. Even as a child, he exhibited a yearning for adventure, and at the age of only thirteen, he embarked on a five-year voyage sailing the seven seas and learning navigation, history, and mathematics.
Henson’s greatest adventure began when he accepted an invitation from Robert Peary to join his expedition to the North Pole. The team endured storms, shifting ice, wind, injuries, accidents, and unimaginable cold. Finally on April 1, Peary, Henson, and four Inuit men began the final 133-mile push to the Pole.
Readers will share in the excitement and drama of this remarkable, adventure as award-winning author Deborah Hopkinson pays tribute to a great but under-recognized figure from America’s past. Illustrator Stephen Alcorn’s large-format, stylized ink-and-watercolor illustrations capture all the action. Excerpts from Henson’s expedition diaries, a time line, and an epilogue place the story in its historical context.
"...sturdy prose...stylized illustrations range from images of classic Americana to organic figures in motion..." --Publishers Weekly
"Handsome." --Kirkus Reviews
"Large in scale and often handsome..." --Booklist
"...verselike blocks of text...Alcorn's illustration capture his awe..." --News & Observer
"...there is plenty of action in Keep On! for young readers..." --The San Francisco Chronicle
"...strikingly illustrated...articulate and straightforward prose..." --School Library Journal
"...beautiful and informative picture book..." --The Carroll News
"Henson's story is dramatic, although the narrative voice is soft as velvet, while Stephen Alcorn's artwork appears both washed in bitter cold and defrosted by its hand-tinted quality." --Kirkus
"...fascinating and beautifully written..." --Through the Looking Glass
"...eloquent text and creative, mural-like artwork..." --Parents Express
"...the inspiring tale of determination of African-American explored Matthew Henson is skillfully and artfully brought to life...Alcorn adds a rich visual element that compliments the text beautifully." --Library Media Connection
"...Hopkinson brings to life the story of explorer Matthew Henson..." --Parent Paper
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# Leveling Information
# Accelerated Reader
# AR Quiz#: 130592
# AR Reading Level: 5.9
# AR Points: 0.5
# F&P (Fountas & Pinnell)
# F&P Level: M
# F&P Grade: 2-3
# Reading Counts
# Reading Counts Level: 9.2
# Reading Counts Points: 2
# Reading Counts Interest Level: 3-5
View Description for teachers/educators
DEBORAH HOPKINSON is the award-winning author of numerous critically acclaimed books for young people, including ABE LINCOLN CROSSES A CREEK; APPLES TO OREGON, winner of the Golden Kite Award; and HOME ON THE RANGE. She lives in Oregon. Visit her website at www.deborahhopkinson.com
STEPHEN ALCORN has illustrated a number of books for young people, including LINCOLN: IN HIS OWN WORDS and LET IT SHINE: STORIES OF BLACK WOMEN FREEDOM FIGHTERS. An internationally renowned artist and printmaker, Alcorn lives in New York. Visit his website at www.alcorngallery.com
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