Ain't Nothing But a Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry
by Scott Nelson and Marc Aronson
Historian Scott Reynolds Nelson started out researching the undocumented story of... read more
16 Total Resources 4 Awards View Text Complexity Discover Like Books
- Grade
- 4-12
- Genre
- Biography
- Nonfiction
- Cultural Experience
- African American
Year Published 2007
Word Count 10,933
- Text Complexity
- Lexile Level: 1030L
- ATOS Reading Level: 6.6
- AR Quiz Numbers
- Quiz 119451, 2.0 AR Points
- Curricular Area
- English Language Arts
- History
- Social Studies
- Subject Headings
- Henry, John William
- Henry, John (Legendary character)
- Nelson, Scott Reynolds
- Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Historical
- Southern States--Description and travel
- Railroad construction workers--Biography
- Henry, John William, 1847?-approximately 1875--Homes and haunts
- Nelson, Scott Reynolds--Travel--Southern States
- Henry, John William, 1847?-ca. 1875
- African Americans--Biography--Juvenile literature
- Travel
- Railroad construction workers
- African Americans
- John Henry (Legendary character)
- Homes and haunts
- Railroad construction workers--United States--Biography--Juvenile literature
- United States
- Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Cultural, Ethnic & Regional
- Henry, John William, 1847?-approximately 1875
- Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography
- African Americans--Biography
- Southern States
- Juvenile Nonfiction | History | United States - 19th Century
- Description and travel
- Lists With This Book
- It's a Mystery
- Nonfiction, 9-10
- Slavery, Civil War, Reconstruction
- Just, Inclusive Society
Our Original Resources 7
Meet-the-Author Recording with Marc Aronson about Ain't Nothing But a Man
Created by TeachingBooks
Audio Name Pronunciation with Marc Aronson
Created by TeachingBooks
In-depth Written Interview with Marc Aronson
Created by TeachingBooks
Nonfiction Read and Respond Multi-Leveled Lesson
Created by TeachingBooks
Cultural Representation Reflection
Created by TeachingBooks
View Comprehensive Text Complexity Measures
Created by TeachingBooks
Submit Qualitative Text Complexity Rubric
Created by TeachingBooks
Book Guides, Activities & Lessons 4
Nonfiction Read and Respond Multi-Leveled Lesson
Created by TeachingBooks
Cultural Representation Reflection
Created by TeachingBooks

Lesson Plan from Indiana Library Federation
Created by Indiana Library Federation
Lesson Plan from Reading Rumpus
Created by Reading Rumpus
Awards & Distinctions 4

ALSC Notable Children's Books, 1995-2022
Commended, 2009

CCBC Choices
Selection, 2009
Images courtesy of publishers, organizations, and sometimes their Twitter handles.