The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze

"Derrick Barnes takes all forms of storytelling available to him­--allegory, folktales, and classics--to weave a novel that is empowered, empowering, and incredibly human. You won't be the same after reading it."
--Erin Entrada Kelly, two-time winner of the Newbery Medal

* "Bold, extraordinary storytelling: not to be missed." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "A powerful tale." --Publishers Weekly, starred review
* "A modern folktale that leaves a damning indictment." --BCCB, starred review

National Book Award finalist and Newbery Honoree Derrick Barnes tackles timely issues of race and prejudice in this powerful, nuanced novel about an accomplished Black boy who strives to be seen as human.

In the small town of Great Mountain, Mississippi, all eyes are on Henson Blayze, a thirteen-year-old football phenom whose talents seem almost superhuman. The predominately white townsfolk have been waiting for Henson to play high-school ball, and now they're overjoyed to finally possess an elite Black athlete of their own.

Until a horrifying incident forces Henson to speak out about injustice.
Until he says that he might not play football anymore.
Until he quickly learns he isn't as loved by the people as he thought.

In that moment, Henson's town is divided into two chaotic sides when all he wants is justice. Even his best friends and his father can't see eye to eye. When he is told to play ball again or else, Henson must decide whether he was born to entertain people who may not even see him as human, or if he's destined for a different kind of greatness.

Written for children ages 10 and up, Derrick Barnes's groundbreaking novel masterfully combines a modern-day allegory with classic-style tall tales to weave a compelling story of America's obsession with relegating Black people to labor or entertainment. Spanning the 1800s to today, this exceptional story shows how much has changed over centuries. . . and, at the same time, how little.

Author: Derrick Barnes
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Published: 09/23/2025
Pages: 272
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.70w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9781984836755
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 07/01/2025
Publishers Weekly 06/16/2025
Kirkus Reviews 07/01/2025
Booklist 08/01/2025
School Library Journal 09/12/2025 pg. 1

About the Author
Derrick Barnes is a National Book Award Finalist for his graphic novel Victory. Stand!-Raising My Fist For Justice, which also won the YALSA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Award, and a Coretta Scott King Award Author Honor. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning picture book Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut which received a Newbery Honor, a Coretta Scott King Author Honor, the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award, and the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers. In 2020, he became the only author to win the Kirkus Prize twice for the New York Times bestseller, I Am Every Good Thing, which also won a Charlotte Huck Award and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor. Derrick is also the creator of the New York Times bestselling companion picture books, The King of Kindergarten and The Queen of Kindergarten. He is a native of Kansas City, MO, but currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his enchanting wife, Dr. Tinka Barnes, and their four sons, the Mighty Barnes Brothers.