Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad

HIghly Recommend

Freedom is such a powerful term, something many have fought for and either lost or won. In Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine, illustrated by Kadir Nelson and published by Scholastic Press in 2007, the main character expresses the urge to find his freedom. A young black boy named Henry, who has not even been reserved the right to have a birthday, is a slave in the one of the southern states in North America during the times of slavery. He is first taken away from his mother and then must also part with his wife and children when they are sold just like he was. In muted shades of brown, orange, red, and splashes of other colors, Kadir Nelson portrays Henry's life. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and truly realistic. Levine tells the story of Henry as he grows up and experiences slavery first hand. But the major clincher for this story is whether he gets his freedom and how he gets it. Children as well as adults will enjoy the written word as well as the pictures in this book. This book loosely based on a real person tells a classic tale that should bring sorrow as well as pleasure at the end of the story.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Mail Yourself as Cargo?

Close your eyes if you will and imagine what it would be like to curl up in a box and ship yourself as cargo. Hard to imagine isn't it. For one brave salve, Henry Brown, this became his way to escape to freedom.

Sold away from his family as a child, Henry Brown did what many slaves had to do. They accepted their lives as slaves, but continued to dream of freedom. Henry soon found himself married with two children and the reality of being separated loomed each day. Their greatest free now reality exploded before Henry as he watched helplessly as his family was dragged away.

A man who found happiness from within and with his family, Henry became withdrawn and resolved to escape to freedom. His ingenious idea of mailing himself as cargo and with the assistance of a white doctor, Henry did just that.

Come along on this heart wrenching journey to freedom through the true story of Henry "Box" Brown. You'll find your heartbeat racing for his safety.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

Henry, after losing his family, decides to escape from slavery. The story is moving and sensitive. Children are able to identify with Henry and his decisions, and they are empathetic to his situation. While the topic is difficult, the author manages to present the topic with a positive spin of personal choice and risk. Every child should hear this book read aloud.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Very Moving ~ A MUST Read for Children AND Adults

Henry Brown is born a slave (he doesn't have a choice about it). After being separated from his parents he is sent to work in a tobacco factory, where the conditions. Henry then meets and falls in love with Nancy, who is also a slave. Because both of them are slaves, they have to get permission from their owner to marry - which they do. Soon they start a family together. Then their owner sells Nancy and their kids to another man far away. Henry is separated from his family once again, never to see them. Henry no longer wants to be a slave and desires nothing more than freedom.... he "sends" himself to the north, where he obtain freedom, in a box.

This book is very touching, emotional and nothing short of affecting. Henry Brown is a man who never gives up and follows his dreams, no matter what his circumstances are. Henry Brown's courage is something to be admired and transcends time. Levin's writing style is very simple while carrying a very heavy topic and themes (:slavery, courage, determination).

Kadir Nelson's illustrations are out of this world! While the images have a vintage touch to them, they pop out the page with the hint of realism. This book would be perfect to help promote history, multiculturalism, and the themes that it presents.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Henry's Freedom Box : A True Story from the Underground Railroad

This Caldecott Honor Book introduces a young slave by the name of Henry, who doesn't know his age and lives on a plantation with his mother and siblings. Henry's master is ill and sends him to work for his son and in the process forces Henry to leave his family. Henry, as an adult, meets Nancy whom he later marries and has a family with. One day Henry's wife and children are sold, and after many days of loneliness he makes the decision to mail himself to freedom.
This book is a true story about Henry "Box" Brown, who with the help of friends was able to mail himself in a crate to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and freedom. I would recommend this book for younger children, in grades such as first through third. The text is simple, yet expresses its points and emotions clearly to its audience. The illustrations enhance the text so that the reader has a visual understanding to support the story's content. The younger children can relate to Henry because of his age and since that particular connection exists, wonderful discussions can arise in classrooms. Information that may be considered objective is the topic of slavery, that fact that Henry was not reunited with his family, or that Henry forced himself into a crate. This questionable information can all be defended if topics like slavery and the Underground Railroad are taught about and explained by adults to the children. The powerful storyline and dynamic character made this book an amazing read and a joy to share with other readers.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great Storyline!

This book has a very powerful storyline that describes the time of slavery. I love this book because it focuses on the point of view of a younger child. Teaching such a controversial subject such as slavery, is made a little more realistic with this book. I truly enjoy the raw truth in the situation presented within the story. Not only will children be interested, but adults can appreciate this book as well.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great Book!

I absolutely loved this book! The illustrations were beautiful and the story was touching. One thing that I particularly liked about this book was that it was a true story. There are not many children's books about slavery and civil rights issues so I think that it would be a great book to read to students. I also think that it would touch them much more because it is factual. Parts of the book were sad, but that is appropriate for that time and place. It would not be as believeable if the story was happy and cheerful. I think that this is such an important part of history that children need to be aware of and reading this book aloud to a class would open the doors to discussion about slavery.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A must have for all pre-school programs.

Great for discussion related to Cultural Diversity and/or African/American history.

Heart-wrenching, beautiful, and uplifting

Based on the true story of Henry "Box" Brown, Henry's Freedom Box is powerful story that's beautifully illustrated and expertly told. A heart-wrenching tale of a slave who escapes Richmond, Virginia after his wife and children are sold to a new master in the Deep South. Instead of just running north, Brown uses an ingenious and unique method of escape - he mails himself to Philadelphia! The escape is harrowing and the story is truly powerful. Henry's Freedom Box won a Caldecott Honor, and is an important addition to any family's library particularly a family with a keen interest in history.

I really enjoyed this book!

Henry's Freedom Box by Kadir Nelson Henry was a slave who's master got sick. Henry was sold to his old master's son. Henry mailed himself far away to freedom. I like this book because it is cool that he mailed himself to freedom. I recommend this to any one. I give this book five stars. Cole S. 9-12-11

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