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John Henry

From the Series On My Own Folklore

  • Interest Level: Grade 2 - Grade 4
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

Some folks say John Henry was born with a hammer in his hand. He sure loved to pound things and his muscles were harder than rocks. At work, John laid down tracks for the railroad company. The earth shook when he swung down his heavy hammers. John was stronger than the strongest worker, but was he stronger than a machine? Find out in this powerful tale.

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978-0-8225-6477-5
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978-0-8225-7036-3
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Interest Level Grade 2 - Grade 4
Reading Level Grade 3
Genre Social Studies
Copyright 2007
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Brand On My Own Books
Imprint First Avenue Editions ™, Millbrook Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 48
Publication Date 2006-08-01
Text Type Folktale/Legend
BISACS JNF052030
Dewey 398.2'0973'02
Graphics Full-color illustrations
Dimensions 5.875 x 8.5
Guided Reading Level N
ATOS Reading Level 3.8
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 106371
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5
Features Bibliography/further reading, Reviewed, and Teaching Guides

Author: Stephen Krensky

Stephen Krensky did not have the kind of childhood anyone would choose to write books about. It was happy and uneventful, with only the occasional bump in the night to keep him on his toes.
He started writing at Hamilton College in upstate New York where he graduated in 1975. His first book, A Big Day for Scepters, was published in 1977, and he has now written over 100 fiction and nonfiction children’s books––including novels, picture books, easy readers, and biographies. Mr. Krensky and his family live in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Illustrator: Mark Oldroyd

Mark Oldroyd lives in the small town of Battle in England. Mark is well known for his atmospheric, detailed illustrative style and his beautiful sense of color and composition.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

On My Own Folklore

Folklore characters come to life in these magically illustrated titles. Each story shares both the facts and the fiction behind the tall tale and explains how the story became a part of folklore. View available downloads →

Reviews

Booklist

“While the narrative has its moments of understated humor, it also involves the readers in John Henry’s dramatic struggle to beat the machine that ‘could outdig any man alive.’ Full of light and movement, Oldroyd’s impressionistic illustrations effectively illustrate the story effectively without defining every detail, suggesting characters, settings, and actions and leaving plenty of room for imagination.”
—Booklist

School Library Journal

“These easy readers introduce tall tale characters from American history. . . Krensky gives children a feeling for the characters as well as the flavor of the time and the story’s setting.”
— School Library Journal

The Horn Book Guide

“Humor, richly colored. . . illustrations, and accessible text sprinkled with colloquialisms combine for an enjoyable read.”
—The Horn Book Guide