Innovative and entertaining, this nonfiction title captures the story of African-American explorer Matthew Henson in a graphic novel format. This unique way to present biographical information to elementary through middle school age students is sure to be a big hit. Although the information presented is not detailed, an overview of Henson’s struggles and accomplishments are presented. Readers will empathize with the young Henson as they read about his struggle for meaningful work in a time when young black men were not considered equal. They will cheer for him as he finally receives the recognition he deserves for his role in the discovery of the North Pole. The careful selection of vocabulary and easy to read text makes this title very useful for biographical research, especially for struggling readers. The bold illustrations really enhance the text.
—Children’s Literature