This morning during our Literature lesson, we read Julius
Lester’s Caldecott winner, John Henry. I read this book aloud to model monitoring
for hyperbole (the use of exaggeration for effect). This story is truly a
wonderful one about the legend of the ex-slave and truly indomitable human
spirit, John Henry.
There is a quote from the book that the students and I found
truly beautiful and moving. I would like to share it with you.
Upon John Henry’s death in the story, the texts proceeds with, “Then something strange happened. Afterward, folks swore the rainbow whispered it. I don’t know. But whether it was a whisper or a thought, everyone had the same knowing at the same moment: “Dying ain’t important. Everybody does that. What matters is how well you do your living.”
Upon John Henry’s death in the story, the texts proceeds with, “Then something strange happened. Afterward, folks swore the rainbow whispered it. I don’t know. But whether it was a whisper or a thought, everyone had the same knowing at the same moment: “Dying ain’t important. Everybody does that. What matters is how well you do your living.”
It is a truly
invaluable moment when children discover beauty in literature. J
