Arctic Hero
by Catherine Johnson
American explorer Matthew Henson was one of the first men to reach the North Pole in 1909. However, his place in history wasn’t formally acknowledged for many years, due to the colour of his skin.
As a black man, Matthew was regarded as a second-class citizen and despite his extreme bravery as an explorer, he had to take on menial jobs once home in America. Finally in 2000, Matthew’s talent was recognised and he was awarded the Hubbard Medal, one of the highest honours the US government can give.
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Extract
'This is a true story.
It's a story about trekking across the wide frozen Arctic, fighting snow blindness and frost-bite. It's about facing the risk of starving to death or drowning. It's about getting to the North Pole before anyone else.
But this is also a story about one man, Matthew Henson, who lived two very different lives.'
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Catherine Johnson
Catherine Johnson is a novelist and screenwriter. She has written ten novels for young adults including Stella, Landlocked and Face Value.
Her book for Barrington Stoke, Arctic Hero, was published in February 2008. Her newest book, A Nest of Vipers, was published in April 2008 by Corgi. Catherine also has a story in Unheard Voices, a collection of stories edited by Malorie Blackman.
She was co-writer on the hugely acclaimed award winning British film Bullet Boy, directed by Saul Dibb and starring Ashley Walters.
Catherine also works as a mentor for the British Council and was writer in residence in Holloway prison. She was Reader in residence at the Royal Festival Hall's Imagine Children's Literature festival and runs creative writing workshops in secondary schools.
Catherine was born and brought up in London, by her Welsh mother and Jamaican father. She now lives in Hackney with her partner and teenage children.
Catherine Johnson Photo: Laurence Cendrowicz
