A Natural Man — Steve Sanfield

A masterful retelling about the legendary, steel-driving hero, John Henry.

This timeless ballad has been part of American folklore for over a century. Born with a hammer in his hand, John Henry discovers his true calling as a steel-driving man, but he inevitably meets his match in a race against a steam drill that provides a powerful metaphor for the disruption and loss of innocence created by the industrial age.

John Henry gains respects from the townspeople due to his courage and strength . Thornton's charcoal drawings deftly capture the triumphal spirit of this cautionary tale. Reviewers praise Sanfield's literary skills and describe the story as "balladry" and "lyrical." Appropriately, the story also includes a song about John Henry that the whole class will enjoy.