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Thirteen-year-old African American Matthew Henson sets out to sea looking for adventure, thus beginning the life of a remarkable explorer. Subsequent to a chance meeting with Naval Officer Robert Peary, the two forge a relationship which lasts more than twenty years amidst the frigid Arctic of the polar ice caps. After saving Peary’s life twice, Henson and his friend finally reach their goal. On April 6, 1909, the two stand together at the North Pole.
Carole Boston Weatherford’s newest historical biography, I, Matthew Henson: Polar Explorer , is written in first-person narrative, giving Matthew Henson’s character a strong and confident voice and lending credence to the nature of the man. Each new scene begins with Henson speaking of the adversity he overcame and tells of his trials and tribulations. More information is packed into an author’s note at the end of the story.
This is the third collaboration by Weatherford and illustrator Eric Velasquez. Once again, Velasquez displays vivid imagery, matching his soft pastel renditions to Weatherford’s flowing text. The relationship between these two gifted artists is exceptional and will likely develop into the uncovering of more of America’s nearly forgotten heroes.
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I, Matthew Henson: Polar Explorer