Description

A thrilling fictionalised account of the life of Matthew Henson, the first African-American man to travel to the North Pole, from the Carnegie-nominated author Catherine Johnson.

Matthew Henson was simply an ordinary man. That was, until Commander Robert E. Peary entered his life, and offered him a chance at true adventure. Henson would become navigator, craftsman, translator, and right-hand man on a treacherous journey to the North Pole. Defying the odds and the many prejudices that faced him to become a true pioneer.

This is his remarkable and often untold story.

Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Publisher Review

"Catherine Johnson is the master of historical fiction for children; her prose is warm and wise and utterly gripping" -- Katherine Rundell "If it doesn't make you angry you haven't read it properly" -- Fleur Hitchcock "Matthew Henson's life plays out like a story ... This book really highlights our ignorance in not recognising sooner his incredible plight in defying the odds, breaking boundaries, fighting prejudice and becoming a true black pioneer" -- Scott Evans, The Reader Teacher "Wonderful ... Uncovering the forgotten and hidden histories of those who have been marginalised is a serious and necessary undertaking and this book is a great addition to that genre" -- The Letterpress Project