Henry's Freedom Box (Caldecott Honor Book) | Ellen Levine | Spare story of one man's struggle...

Henry's Freedom Box (Caldecott Honor Book) | Ellen Levine | Story finally being told

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Henry's Freedom Bo...

	Henry's Freedom Box (Caldecott Honor Book) Ellen Levine Scholastic Press, 2007 - 40 pages average customer review:based on 14 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Henry Brown doesn't know how old he is. Nobody keeps records of slaves' birthdays. All the time he dreams about freedom, but that dream seems farther away than ever when he is torn from his family and put to work in a warehouse. When Henry grows up and marries, he is again devastated when his family is sold at the slave market. Then one day, as he lifts a crate at the warehouse, he knows exactly what he must do: He will mail himself to the North. After an arduous journey in the crate, Henry finally has a birthday -- his first day of freedom.

Spare story of one man's struggle against slavery

This story documents the slavery and eventual freedom of one man. Henry and his brothers and sisters work for a good master. However, on his deathbed, the master gives Henry to his son, separating Henry from the rest of his family forever. Henry works well in the master's son's tobacco factory, presumably avoiding the beatings of the foreman. Later, he meets Nancy, a slave of another master. The two are allowed to marry and live together, and eventually they have three children. Unfortunately, Nancy's master suffers a financial loss, and Henry is informed one day that his wife and children have been sold.

The loss of this family is forever too, and Henry is now spurred to seek his freedom so he'll never have to suffer a loss like that again. With the help of two friends- one another slave, one a white doctor who doesn't believe in slavery- he literally mails himself to freedom in Philadelphia.

What I liked most about this book was that the author does not force an emotional response out of the reader because she doesn't have to. Young readers- as well as adults- can immediately appreciate the horror of being separated from your family as a child and then losing your children. The author presents the losses, but doesn't dictate the grief and anger that the main character must have felt. This makes the reader's response that much more powerful.

Although Henry does eventually gain his freedom, his previous losses haunt the end of the story, just as they must have haunted him and countless other American slaves.

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Story finally being told

This is a story that all children should hear - enslaved people fought to be free in very unconventional ways. I would also recommend the story of William and Ellen Craft's escape from slavery.

Excellent

The book is brand new and I received it during the expected delivery time. I am very pleased!

Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children

Henry, a sweet child born into slavery in the early 1800s, did not know his exact age but did know that he wanted freedom. That aching desire to escape the bonds of slavery deepened when the plantation's dying owner, rather than set him free, gave Henry to his son. Years of hard work in the new master's factory under terrible conditions, and another agonizing separation from beloved family members, strengthened Henry's resolve to find a way out. With the help of members of the Underground Railroad, Henry stowed himself inside a wooden crate and was delivered through the post to Philadelphia.

This inspiring book is based on the true story of Henry "Box" Brown, one of the most famous people to escape slavery through the Underground Railroad. The reader cannot help but feel moved by Henry's sadness and courage through the poignant illustrations; these stunning paintings rightly led the book to garner recognition as a Caldecott Honor Book in 2008. With the U.S. government having issued a formal apology to African Americans for slavery, Henry's Freedom Box constitutes a valuable resource for teaching younger children about some of the heart-wrenching experiences and harsh working conditions that were associated with slavery.

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Inspiring book for my 6 year old grandson

My grandson, age 6, loves books and true stories. I bought this book for him, and after reading it the first time he had so many questions. It is now his favorite book and it still stimulates that little mind and questions are still being asked. What a great way to teach children about history and encourage great conversations. I can't say enough about "Henry's Freedom Box" and certainly give it an A+.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3

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