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John Henry: a book club kit
Where it comes from. Railroad workers in West Virginia started singing about John Henry about 150 years ago, after the big tunnels were dug through the mountains.
In short (for the leader; it gives the ending away). John Henry is a giant of a man who works on the railroad, swinging a hammer to drive steel into rock for the tunnel. When a salesman brings a steam drill that could replace the workers, John Henry races it. He beats the machine, but his big heart gives out and he dies, and the workers sing about him.
Reading plan, by the story's parts. Meeting 1: Part One, “A Hammer in His Hand” and Part Two, “The Steam Drill”, pages 1–7 (about 4 minutes aloud); Meeting 2: Part Three, “The Race” and Part Four, “The Song”, pages 8–15 (about 5 minutes aloud). Each stop's own questions, which never give away what comes next: John Henry by chapter.
Questions to talk about
- Was John Henry a real person?
The story's answer: Nobody is sure. Some historians think a real railroad worker inspired the song. The tall tale of his size and strength is a legend. - Who won the race, John Henry or the steam drill?
The story's answer: John Henry won. His heart gave out right after, because he worked so hard to keep his promise. - What is the story of John Henry about?
The story's answer: It is about a worker's strength and pride, and about what happens when machines take over human work. It is told as a tall tale and a work song. - Where does the story of John Henry come from?
The story's answer: It comes from American railroad workers, who sang about him while they laid track and dug tunnels about 150 years ago. - 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. - 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.
Did you know?
- People first sang about John Henry in railroad camps about 150 years ago, and the ballad has many versions.
- Some people think a real worker named John Henry inspired the song, but nobody knows for sure.
- The steam drill was a real kind of machine that threatened to replace workers with hammers.
Activity: A hero's poster
Make a poster for the main character with three true things from the story and one thing the story never says.
More to talk about
More facts for the leader
- The song is still sung today.
Words to teach before you start
- echoed: rang back
- tunnel: hole through mountain
- salesman: seller
- crowded: packed close
- measured: checked size
Questions leaders ask
How long does a John Henry book club meeting take?
Reading it aloud takes about 9 minutes in all, so plan one meeting of 30 to 45 minutes, with time left for the questions. The reading plan on the sheet says where to stop.
What age is John Henry for?
It is written at Peabody level 9, a grade 4 reading level, so most children at that level can read it alone. Younger children can listen to it read aloud.
Do the children need to read it before the meeting?
No. Each child can read it free on Peabody, before the meeting or together at it, and the questions work either way. The sheet's short version gives the ending away, so keep it for the leader.
How do I use the questions?
Start with the story's own questions, which have answers in the leader's notes, then move to the open ones and listen for reasons. There is no wrong answer to an open question. Stop when the group runs out of things to say.
Club kits for stories like this
- Davy Crockett and the Frozen Sunrise (level 9)
- Robin Hood (level 12)
- The Pied Piper of Hamelin (level 13)
How this kit is made
The short version, the facts and the first questions with their answers are the story's own, written for its page in Peabody's library and checked against the sources named there. The open questions, the activity and the plan are Peabody's, written for this kind of story. No part of it is written by a computer model.
Running the meeting: the meeting plans (30, 45 and 60 minutes) and the sign-up sheet.