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.