Henry's Freedom Box

Title: Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad
Author: Ellen Levine
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Genre: Historical Fiction
Awards: Caldecott Honor (2008)
Grade Level: K - 5

Like many other slaves, Henry Brown did not know his birthday and was separated from his family to work in a tobacco factory. When he was older, he met Nancy, another slave with a different master. He eventually married her and had three children. Unfortunately, Nancy and his children were sold at the slave market and he could do nothing to stop it. After weeks passed, Henry decided he wanted to be free and with the help of some friends, he devised a plan to mail himself in a crate to Philadelphia. Inside the crate, he was transported on a steamboat and train and his plan was successful. He arrived in Philadephia on March 30, 1849, which he made his birthday and he became known as Henry "Box" Brown. There were millions of slaves in America by the mid-1800s. Some slaves were able to escape through the Underground Railroad. While slavery is a difficult part of American history to talk about, it is essential for students to learn about it. I would use this book to introduce younger students to the Underground Railroad during the Black history unit. Students can research other Underground Railroad stories, the effects of slavery, and the events leading up to the Civil War.  

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