‘The Race for the Frozen North’by Catherine Johnson

In this exciting telling of an important true story, Catherine Johnson celebrates a hero of Arctic discovery who has been forgotten for many years – largely because of the colour of his skin.

Matthew Henson’s life at home was so hard that at eleven years old he ran away to make a new life for himself in New York. Always attracted by the sea he finds himself drawn into the world of the seafarers who are determined to find a route to the North Pole. Matt joins an expedition and, through a combination of his hard work, his commitment and some lucky breaks he travels across the frozen wastes. His sensitive building of relationships with the Inuit community plays a strong part in his success and in his ultimate and extraordinary achievement: to be the first man to reach the North Pole.

Published on 15/9/18 and for readers aged 7+.