John Henry: book club questions by chapter

🦉 John Henry · meeting 1 of 2

Read: Part One, “A Hammer in His Hand”; Part Two, “The Steam Drill” (pages 1–7, about 4 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 7, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. What did John Henry do on the railroad?
   The story's answer: He drove steel spikes into rock with a hammer
2. Why did John Henry race the steam drill?
   The story's answer: He wanted every man to keep his job
3. Who have we met so far, and what does each of them want?
   Listen for: Make a list together on the board; keep it for next time and add to it.
4. The part we just read is called "The Steam Drill". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
5. Stop here. What do you think will happen next? Write or draw one guess to check next time.
   Listen for: Keep the guesses in an envelope. Don't say whether a guess is right: the next part will.

🦉 John Henry · meeting 2 of 2

Read: Part Three, “The Race”; Part Four, “The Song” (pages 8–15, about 5 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 15, the end of the story.

1. What happened to the salesman's fancy hat during the race?
   The story's answer: It blew off in the steam and nobody got it
2. How did the race end?
   The story's answer: The steam drill drilled one hole and John Henry drilled two
3. Why do people still sing about John Henry?
   The story's answer: They remember how strong and kind he was
4. Look back at last time's guesses. Which came true, and what surprised you?
   Listen for: Read the guesses out. Nobody was wrong: a guess that missed often shows what the author wanted us to expect.
5. The part we just read is called "The Song". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
6. Now that you know the ending, was it the ending you expected?
   Listen for: Ask what in the earlier parts pointed to it, or pointed the other way.

About the whole story

1. What makes the main character a hero? Would you want them as a friend?
   Listen for: Heroes of legends are brave but not always kind; ask for both sides.
2. Which part of this could have really happened, and which part grew in the telling?
   Listen for: Legends often start from a real person or place.