Bibliograph

First man, reimagining Matthew Henson

Type

Label

First man, reimagining Matthew Henson

Language

eng

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

no index present

Intended audience

Rated T

Literary Form

fiction

Main title

First man

Medium

electronic resource

Nature of contents

dictionaries

Sub title

reimagining Matthew Henson

Summary

Author and illustrator Simon Schwartz weaves biography and fiction together to explore the life of Arctic adventurer Matthew Henson. Moving between different time periods and incorporating Inuit mythology, Schwartz offers fresh perspectives on the many challenges Henson confronted during his life. As a member of early missions to reach the North Pole, Henson braved subzero temperatures and shifting sea ice. As an African American at the turn of the twentieth century, he also faced harassment and prejudice. Henson won a place on Arctic expeditions through skill and determination-though he didn't receive the same credit as his teammates. He also won the respect of the native peoples he met during his journeys-though he couldn't prevent the harm that the expeditions caused them. More than a biography, First Man: Reimagining Matthew Henson is an artistic homage to Henson's accomplishments and the complicated realities of being a trailblazer in a society that didn't recognize black men as equals

Target audience

adult

Classification