John Henry
by Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney
The mythic railroad worker from the African-American oral tradition comes to life... read more
32 Total Resources 3 Awards View Text Complexity Discover Like Books
- Grade
- 1-5
- Genre
- Fairy Tales / Folklore
- Cultural Area
- African American
Year Published 1994
Word Count 2,115
- Text Complexity
- Lexile Level: 620L
- ATOS Reading Level: 4
- AR Quiz Numbers
- 12457
- Curricular Area
- English Language Arts
- Subject Headings
- Henry, John (Legendary character)
- Folklore--United States
- Henry, John (Legendary character)--Legends
- African Americans
- John Henry (Legendary character)
- African Americans--Folklore
- United States
- Folklore
- Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction
- Juvenile Fiction | Fairy Tales & Folklore | Country & Ethnic - General
- Lists With This Book
- Tall Tales
- Slavery, Civil War, Reconstruction
- African American Heritage and Culture
- PK-2 Reading List
- A Hero's Journey: CSLP
- Timeless Tales: CSLP
- Elementary Battle of the Books List 2020
- Wit & Wisdom Core Texts, Grade 2
- Grade 2, Wit Wisdom Core Texts
- Benchmark Trade Books, Grade 2
- Grade 2, Wit & Wisdom Core Texts
- Wit and Wisdom Core Texts
Our Original Resources 6
Audio Name Pronunciation with Jerry Pinkney
Created by TeachingBooks
Audio Name Pronunciation with Julius Lester
Created by TeachingBooks
In-depth Written Interview with Jerry Pinkney
Created by TeachingBooks
Story Map Multi-Leveled Lesson
Created by TeachingBooks
Cultural Representation Reflection
Created by TeachingBooks
Submit Qualitative Text Complexity Rubric
Created by TeachingBooks
Book Guides, Activities & Lessons 4
Story Map Multi-Leveled Lesson
Created by TeachingBooks
Cultural Representation Reflection
Created by TeachingBooks

Lesson Plan from ReadWriteThink
Created by ReadWriteThink

Lesson Plan from Weston Woods
Created by Weston Woods
Book Readings 2

Video Book Reading narrated by Samuel L. Jackson
Created by Weston Woods

Audiobook Excerpt narrated by Samuel L. Jackson
Created by Weston Woods
Awards & Distinctions 3

Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards, 1967-2020
Winner, 1995

Notable Children's Books, 1995-2021
Commended, 1995

CCBC Choices
Selection, 1994
Images courtesy of publishers, organizations, and sometimes their Twitter handles.