Henry Climbs a Mountain

by D.B. Johnson

Hardcover, 2003

Status

Available

Call number

JOHNSON

Series

Henry (3)

Genres

Children's Books

Publication

HMH Books for Young Readers (2003), 32 pages

Description

Although he loves his freedom, Henry, a bear modeled on Henry Thoreau, goes to jail rather than go against his principles. Based on an incident in the life of Henry David Thoreau.

User reviews

LibraryThing member cmiersma

This book gives a child's look on the life of Henry David Thoreau by illustrating a bear getting lock up in jail for not paying his taxes because of the stat's law on slavery. While in jail, the bear draws all over the walls and images helping a slave run away by giving him his shoes.
This book is

considered a fantasy because realistically, bears can't talk, and you can't take adventures while in a jail cell with your pictures you drew on the walls. But this book is historically somewhat accurate because it shows some of the true events that happened with Henry David Thoreau.
A teacher could easily use this book to teach children about the work of Henry David Thoreau and how he wanted and helped abolish slavery.
Media: Pencil drawings
The setting for this book takes place in a small town and in a jail cell. This helps the book be more accurate because it relates to the setting of the real Henry Thoreau and the type of setting that took place during his time.

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LibraryThing member ggenao

This book ia about the story of Henry David Thoreau, who belives in the slavers freedom

LibraryThing member clong

This book's aim (teaching young children about the concept of civil disobediance and what led Henry David Thoreau to go to jail rather than pay taxes to a government that sanctioned slavery) is laudible. But I found that it doesn't really succeed in bridging the conceptual gap of a five year old

trying to make sense of tax-collectors and slavery. It might work better for older children who don't disdain picture books.

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LibraryThing member bekstrom

This book is a good example of historical fiction. It has an imaginative plot that reflects historic facts. The character is a bear, but represents Henry David Thoreau. The story of his tim in jail is true and the story is based off his statement that while he was in jail he said "It was like

traveling into a far country, such as I had never expected to behold, to lie there for one night." The imaginative plot certainly captures this statement. I would use this book in a primary or early intermediate classroom. The type of media used is pencil. There a detailed lines and nice shading that enhance the image.

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LibraryThing member rebeccadawkins

This book was very interesting and imaginative. It teaches kids to make the best out of bad situations, to be kind towards others, and to use their imaginations. The illustrations were unique and fun, and the story made you wonder if Henry's journey was actually all in his mind, or if it was really

happening.

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LibraryThing member econnick

Johnson again is able to depict the simple and optimistic ways of life that the Transcendentalists and Henry David Thoreau lived. This short children's book combines so many themes into its pages. For example, the way Henry uses his imagination to set himself free shows that having a positive

attitude can help in not so fun situations. Also, Henry refuses to pay money for something he does not believe in. Although this turns out okay for him in the end, it is important to inform students about why Henry did this. This book would be a bit difficult to incorporate into a middle school or high school class, although it may help students understand how Henry David Thoreau lived.

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LibraryThing member kquisling

Johnson tells the story of a mountain climbing bear, Henry, who is thrown in to jail for refusing to pay his taxes in a state that allows slavery. In jail, Henry uses his imagination to climb an imaginary mountain.
"Henry Climbs a Mountain" is a great personification of Henry David Thoreau. The

book promotes standing up for what you believe in and making the most of your circumstances. A great addition to any classroom, this book provokes powerful conversation about global issues like social justice and causes readers to consider their individual response.

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LibraryThing member Mithril

Excellent.

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