First Man

Reimagining Matthew Henson

  • Interest Level: Grade 8 - Grade 12
  • Reading Level: Grade 7

In this graphic novel, 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 a fresh perspective 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.

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978-1-4677-5842-0
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Interest Level Grade 8 - Grade 12
Reading Level Grade 7
Genre Graphic Novels, Young Adult
Copyright 2015
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Graphic Universe ™
Language English
Number of Pages 160
Publication Date 2015-08-01
Text Type Fiction—Historical
BISACS YAF005000, YAF024060, YAF058190
Dewey 910.911'3
Dimensions 7 x 9
Lexile 520
ATOS Reading Level 4.4
Accelerated Reader® Quiz 177741
Accelerated Reader® Points 1.0
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Reviewed, and Timeline

Reviews

School Library Journal

“[A]n unforgettable title that will resonate with readers. . . . A compelling graphic novel that biography lovers will greatly enjoy, and a wonderful addition to Black History Month book lists.”—School Library Journal

Booklist

“[A] sympathetic glimpse into the hardships and prejudice faced by Henson both on and off the polar ice. . . . [T]he highly stylized imagery, some of which is borrowed from Inuit art, adds a supernatural element, escalating the menace of the polar landscape.”—Booklist

Kirkus Reviews

“A welcome profile of a little-known African-American explorer.”—Kirkus Reviews

Publishers Weekly

“As a work of fiction rooted in injustices suffered by African-Americans and indigenous peoples alike, it’s powerful and almost unbearably sad.”—Publishers Weekly