Arctic Explorer: The Story of Matthew Henson (Trailblazer Biographies)

By Jeri Chase Ferris

Book Overview

Through howling snowstorms and over treacherous sheets of ice, Matthew Henson and Robert Peary raced against other explorers and death itself to be the first to reach the North Pole. After six expeditions and eighteen years, they finally planted the American flag at the top of the world on April 6, 1909. Because he was a black man, Henson had to start out as Peary's servant. But with his intelligence, bravery, and resourcefulness, Matthew Henson soon became Peary's chief assistant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0876145071
• ISBN13: 9780876145074
• Release Date: August 1989
• Publisher: First Avenue Editions (Tm)
• Length: 80 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.9" x 9.1"
• Age Range: 10 to 15 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 10

Customer Reviews

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

In a time when the race to be the first to reach the North Pole was as daunting as flying to the moon, Matthew Henson was at the forefront of the most historic quest of his time. Being born black though, Matthew was not in the news for his accomplishments. No, it was Admiral Robert E. Peary that received all the praise and glory for the adventures. Matthew became a master of the seas at a young age, but due to his color, not his skill, he could not advance very far. It was a chance encounter at a clothing store - Matthew as the clerk, Peary as the shopper - that led Matthew all the way to the North Pole. The team of Henson and Peary didn't begin in Greenland. It first began in the jungles of Nicaragua. Peary was off to survey the best place to build a canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. After their time in the jungle, Peary shared his desire to cross Greenland's ice cap. From there, history was to be made. Told as well as any modern-day adventure tale, ARCTIC EXPLORER has the added bonus of being a true story. It was almost 30 years after reaching the North Pole that Matthew Henson finally got the recognition for his contributions in reaching the desolate location. In truth, Peary would never have made it without Henson's capable perseverance. In today's society, it would be without question that such a person would receive their rightful praise. But in the time of Matthew's travels, it was unheard of. Today's generation is now able to learn what a self-taught man by the name of Matthew Henson was able to accomplish. Reviewed by: Jaglvr

ice land

One of the reasions why I liked this book is that it gives the true feeling of the storey and the adventry of the story. The reasions why and the first people to go accrost ice iceland.