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

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.

This beautiful picture book with minimal text begins, "Henry Brown wasn't sure how old he was. Henry was a slave. And slaves weren't allowed to know their birthdays." This story presents--in ways a young grade-school child might understand--some aspects of slavery: the traumatic separation of families, the personal sense of insecurity, and the resulting strong desire for freedom.

Henry "Box" Brown was an actual person, and this short book (a fictionalized history) covers the highlights of his life from a childhood of slavery in Virginia through his travel to freedom in Philadelphia as an adult. His insight, intelligence, and courage fuel how that freedom comes about.

The story is simple but very well written, and the artwork (pencil, watercolor, and oil) is both beautiful and effective. A worthwhile purchase for any library, and a good addition to bookshelves in those homes that value history, diversity, and a unique protagonist.

[School Library Journal recommends for grades 2-5]

We've heard the story before, and though we have it touches the core each time. What makes this book exceptionally powerful is the illustration. The illustration places the reader in the box with the main character, to feel in a way I never imagined. I too became the main character and every other slave running towards freedom. Worth a million plus re-reads.

This book is based on the true story of Henry “Box” Brown who was a slave in the the south. As a child he is separated from his family when his master falls ill. Later, he manages to marry and have three children—but once again he is separated from his family when they are all sold at auction. Frustrated by the system, he finally comes up with the idea to mail himself to freedom. With the help of a couple of trusted friends, he climbs into a box and is mailed from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA.

The way that Levine structures the narrative of the story is simple and powerful. By showing how Henry twice loses his family, she creates a thread of loss in his story. She also does an excellent job of using nature, in the form of leaves and birds to serve as metaphors for loss and freedom. The accompanying illustrations, rendered in paint, led to the book receiving the Caldecott Honor in 2008

Henry’s Freedom Box is an emotionally stirring work of historical fiction that sheds light on the cold realities of life for African-American slaves in the 1800s. This beautiful piece of literature has received several awards and honors such as a 2008 Caldecott Honor Book, a 2008 IRA Teacher’s Choices selection, and a 2010 ALA Notable Children’s Book, to name a few. Author Ellen Levine, a Jane Addams Peace Award winner, does an excellent job to portray the unfolding life of a person enslaved from childhood into their adult years. Sometimes slaves were treated well, but there was never a guarantee that they would remain with a kind owner. Slave families were often torn apart, as was the firsthand experience of Henry Brown. Henry Brown is a man who grew up in slavery and experienced a wide range of treatment. However, after watching his family being taken away from him, freedom was all he could hope for. And so, he cleverly punches his ticket to freedom by mailing himself from Virginia to Pennsylvania in an uncomfortable wooden box; thus, he was referred to as Henry “Box” Brown.
The illustrations in this book by Kadir Nelson, a Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist, are beautifully done and show the true heaviness and sadness that surrounds slavery by the overall use of color and lighting in the pictures, as well as the downcast facial expressions of the people enslaved. There are also light, thin zig-zagged lines across most parts of the illustrations, which gives makes it feel like there is some sort of screen or cage that encapsulates the slaves and gives it a rugged look. However, on the last page the lighting becomes much brighter and there is a sense of warmth and security that comes over the reader as Henry has found freedom at last.
This story is appropriate for grades 1-4, and anyone who wants to learn more about Black History and the trials of gaining freedom. The plot of the story really becomes relatable to children by beginning with Henry as a young boy sitting on his mother’s lap, watching the leaves fall from the trees. This book may help to develop empathy in young children by allowing them to see how Henry felt when he was sold to another master, as well as when his children were sold later on. A teacher or parent should definitely be present to answer and discuss any questions that children will have.
I really enjoyed this book because it shed light on the heaviness and sorrow that accompanied people who were enslaved and it gives me a new desire to work on the behalf of others. This is a great book to help teach concepts of injustice, freedom, empathy and how we should treat others, especially those who are different from us. I would definitely recommend this book as a tool for teachers and parents.
Levine has written other educational books such as If Your Name was Changed at Ellis Island (1993), and If You Lived at the Time of Martin Luther King (1994). Nelson has also contributed to other well-known works, such as the concept work for the feature films “Amistad” and “Spirit: Stallion of Cimarron,” as well as his artwork and authorial debut “WE ARE THE SHIP: The Story of Negro League Baseball,” winner of the Coretta Scott King and Robert F. Sibert Awards. Levine and Nelson have come together to bring a heart-gripping story of a man’s journey to freedom, which has received nothing but praise from all who read it.

Had the story not been documented, one would believe that the story of a fugitive slave shipping himself to freedom by freight mail was merely a urban legend. In Henry Freedom's Box this unbelievable but daring true story is brought to life. The story authored by Ellen Levine succesfully traces Brown's early life to his ultimate escape to freedom at the age thirty-three. Award-winning illustrator Kadir Nelson creates such realistic intimacy with his muted but intense illustrations of former Virginia slave Henry "Box" Brown. In just two pages, the artist convincingly conveys the painful and risktaking trip of Mr. Henry "Box" Brown. This scene, this story will touch any person who can empathize with any harrowing escape.

A fantastic book to begin a dialogue with young children about slavery. My children (4 and 6) had so many questions! The art is beautiful and the story stirred up emotions in my children about the injustices. Highly recommend.

Henry was born into slavery. He doesn't know how old he is. He doesn't have a birthday. His heart has been broken countless times, first when he was sold and separated from his mother, and then later, when his wife and children were sold while he was working. But instead of accepting the cruelty of an unjust system, Henry decides to make his escape. Henry's Freedom Box (Scholastic Press, 2007), written by Ellen Levin and illustrated by Nadir Nelson, tells the true story of Henry Brown's escape to freedom. Traveling in a wooden box, his "Freedom Box," which he built himself, Henry was sent through the mail from Virginia to Pennsylvania. And although Levin uses simple, straightforward language, and doesn't go into the graphic details of slavery, it still adequately depicts its horror. Nadir Nelson's illustrations, which are based off of a lithograph made of Henry Brown in 1850, are rich in their detail and color, and the varying angles and perspectives of some of the illustrations, including a close-up of Henry's face after he hears that his family has been sold; help add emotional depth to story. What Levin failed to do, and what you will only learn if you read the Author's Note, is that Henry Brown was one of the most famous runaway slaves. He also spent 27 hours holed up in his Freedom Box and eventually moved to England. For a reader who has never heard of Henry, it would have been interesting for Levin to include a few more details about what happened after Henry finally made it to safety.

"Henry's Freedom Box" by Ellen Levine is about Henry, a boy who was a slave. His wife and children were sold by their master. This forces Henry on a journey for his freedom. This sad, but hopeful story has beautiful illustrations. It is a true story that helps us learn about some difficult parts of the past. This is a perfect addition to your home or school library. This beautiful book should be shared with your friends and family!

Written by Mrs. Barrett's 2nd Grade Class

Henry "Box" Brown is mentioned in other books (If You Traveled on the Underground Railroad also by Ellen Levine) but in Henry's Freedom Box much more detail about his life pulls the reader into his story. From the beginning where as a child he is sent to his master's son, to the loss of his family when his wife and three children are sold, your heart will grieve for the losses Henry endures. You will also rejoice in Henry's resilience through the trials and when he risks all he has to reach freedom. The story is told just through the outstanding pictures, but the author reveals much through her research which is revealed in the text.

This is a great picture book for young and not-so-young to read and discuss the evil of slavery.

Henry's Freedom Box is a beautifully told reminder of the horrors of slavery and the ingenuity of the enslaved. Henry's love for his family is quite touching and it is life-affirming to read a story about being enslaved where the person frees himself! It is a great reminder that no matter how dire the circumstances with perseverance and creativity some will make it through. Essential reading for all.

There's always more we should know about historical elements of society. I enjoyed this book written about a true story, not because of the topic which is hard to read about, but because I like learning about it. I think children will learn from this book which is tastefully and beautifully done; the illustrations are amazing.

Synopsis: This picture book shows the character as a young boy on the cover, but this story is really about Henry Brown as a n adult and the incredible decision he made to reach freedom through an ingenious plan. That "Box" as a middle name was adopted by Brown in commemoration of the method by which he gained his freedom. He had himself crated up and shipped from slavery to liberty. His risky plan worked, and this is his story.

Evaluation: Many children in the primary grades may have heard the stories of slave escape through the Underground Railroad but this well written book brings to life the time of slavery and the voice of Henry "Box" Brown. As a child Henry dreams of freedom and the author appeals to the heart and minds of all readers K-3 as the metaphors are simple but effective. The reader is able to get engrossed in the language and pictures for they are truly representative of the time of slavery. The well chosen words the author uses are beneficial for helping a young child see just how devastating slavery was to the slave and their families. When Brown's family was sold, he was determined to escape to the North. His determination and pain leaps off the page and right into our hearts. We are holding our breath as the author describes the decision and the process of which Henry will escape. The story of that escape provides an inspiring view to the younger reader. Along with well-written narrative and metaphors, the awesome and moving illustrations provided by Kadir Nelson create a journey not only for Henry but for the reader. We are able to grow with young Henry to adulthood. This adds to the story so that the reader feels a part of the time and life of Henry. The illustrations tell a story of their own. Kadir Nelson gives the pictures the detail and beauty they need so that the reader is able to visualize Brown's life. Kadir uses minor details to bring this story to life. For instance we see the tear in Henry's eyes as his learns the fate of his family. You also see the seriousness in his eyes and fear in the eyes of his friends as he plots to escape. All these details are shown to the reader so that the curious mind will seek the answers and ask question more to the fae of Henry and the fate of his family. This book will appeal to the young reader and tug at the hearts of adults so that they will be encouraged to seek a biographical account to learn more about the infamous Henry "Box" Brown on their own. This very personal account can be used in classrooms and students could come Henry's escape to that of Harriet Tubman's. They could also write a journal describing the events during Henry's 27 hour journey to freedom.

"Henry's Freedom Box" for ages 4-8, is a wonderful way to introduce young children to the history of the Underground Railroad,which was the term used to refer to the secret ways in which slaves used to escape to freedom. This story is all the more engaging because it happens to be true! Henry "Box" Brown really existed, and he actually travelled in a Freedom Box, a journey that was 350 miles long, and took 27 hours.

Henry's story is well-developed in this picture book, and makes for a poignant read that both young and old readers alike will sympathize with. The illustrations are appropriately dark in tone and color which makes Henry's plight all the more real. Highly recommended for ages 4-8.

Henry's story appeals to a wide variety of ages. I have read this to third graders who then wanted to read it themselves and borrow it. These were boys who didn't read well.

I have read this to seventh and eighth graders who were outraged at the injustice of separating children from their families and the other indignities of slavery. How well this story illustrates the human sides of history! History, as we know, is not dates and names and strange events. It is how people affect other people in whatever form of society is in effect at the time.

Henry's tale is an excellent forum for all these issues to wake up children to the realities of our world... past and present.

HENRY'S FREEDOM BOX tells the story of Henry "Box" Brown, the slave who shipped himself out of slavery in a wooden box. As a child, Henry's master treated he and his family well, but his mother always reminded him that just as leaves blow in the wind after being torn from a tree, slave children could be torn from their families. Henry was in fact separated from his family when he was given to his master's son. As he grew older he met and fell in love and was eventually allowed to marry. Henry and his wife were able to live together and raise a family, but unfortunately his wife and children were sold at a slave market, leaving him alone. Overcome with grief, Henry began to think more and more about freedom and ultimately, with the help of friends, executed the plan to ship himself to Pennsylvania, where he could be free.

Ellen Levine has done an excellent job retelling the story of Henry "Box" Brown. Kadir Nelson's illustrations really enhanced the story, conveying just the right amount of emotion. As the story moves along, readers can sense Henry's fear, grief, desperation, and hope. HENRY'S FREEDOM BOX is a great book for young readers because it highlights the fact that many slaves did not simply accept their circumstances, rather, they found brave, inventive ways to obtain freedom.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Most people have read or heard haunting and inspiring tales of the Underground Railroad, and Ellen Levine and Kadir Nelson's Henry's Freedom Box (Scholastic, 2007) is surely one of them. Henry is a young boy who has been separated from his mother. Forced into work at a tobacco field, his life ambles on--he marries, he has children. But when his family is sold at auction, a desire to escape is kindled within Henry. With the help of a doctor, Henry assembles a plan to get to freedom--by mailing himself there. The journey is as perilous as expected. Young readers will be amazed at the adventure his box takes him on, and finally delighted as he arrives in Philadelphia safe on March 30th. While Henry's story is an astounding journey in itself (and Levine brings it to light with sympathy, warmth, and factual information), it is Nelson's illustrations that steal the show. Unflinchingly honest portraits of slave life--the horrors and injustices--are painfully breathtaking. Henry's Freedom Box is a perfect introductory story for young readers interested in the history of slavery, and Henry's transit is one that will strike a haunting chord with readers for years to come.

Born a slave, Henry and his siblings worked in the "big house" for his master -- who, on his deathbed, gave Henry to his son. During the years he worked for the son in his tobacco warehouse, Henry grew to manhood

and married a girl who was enslaved by a neighbor. They had children. His wife accurately discerned that her master had debts that might cause him to sell his slaves. This was done one day while Henry was working.

At lunchtime, he caught a departing glimpse of his family members, and then he never saw them again.

After weeks of despair, Henry had an idea while he was moving a crate. He would mail himself to freedom.This true story is told in understated prose which only enhances its power. With realistic paintings in a dark

palette appropriate for Henry's sad experiences, there are no smiles in this book except on the page depicting Henry's family together. His wife has a gentle half-smile. On the last page when Henry is climbing

out of his box in Philadelphia, both the mailed and the recipients are smiling.

WOW! WOW! WOW! Before reading Henry's Freedom Box I had never in my life heard the story of Henry Brown. In fact while reading the story I was thinking about how vivid of an imagination the author, Ellen Levine has. Reading the author's notes at the end I was made aware that Henry Brown and the events with his freedom box really happened. My favorite part of the book was most definitely the illustrations and I am not one bit surprised about all of the awards illustrator Kadir Nelson received for this book. Although this book is a very easy read I would not recommend reading it to children under the 4th grade. The details in the book were too complex for children under 4th grade to understand, for example, Henry's family getting sold and separated. All in all I think this is a wonderful book and a great read!

Henry wanted more than just freedom of speech. He wanted freedom from working in poor conditions, freedom to always be with his family, freedom to be counted as a person. This is an excellent book to introduce children to the topic of slavery in elementary schools. They can make the connection to how they would feel if their families were taken away, or they were not even allowed to sing in public. There is no question that this book deserved the Caldecott Honor Book award. Between the detailed and beautiful illustrations to the descriptive text, this book has it all plus a lesson about slavery.

This book is great for grades k-2nd grade. Henry was born into slavery where his family was owned. As Henry got older his master gifted him to his son. Henry met a young lady who belonged to another master. Henry married and they began to have children, Henry's wife's master lost a significant amount of money and she feared that their children would be sold. Henry's wife's fear came true she and her children were sold. Henry had a hard time dealing with this leading up to his plan of escaping. Henry decided that he would mail himself to another state where he would be free. This was a very dangerous plan, but Henry felt he had no other choice. I really enjoyed reading this book to my children they had a lot of questions as to why the kids were sold.

Henry's Freedom Box, written by Ellen Levine and illustrated by Kadir Nelson is a true story from the Underground Railroad. It is such a sweet, uplifting story of a slave who works hard his whole life and finally manages to find a way to freedom. From a very young age Henry learns that he is a slave and being a slave it not a very happy life. At the age of nine Henry is sold to another family and has to say goodbye to his mother and siblings. The next few years Henry works hard and is very lonely for a long time. Things start to look up for Henry when he meets a young girl named Nancy. They get married and have two children and Henry knew he was very lucky to be blessed with his wife and children. Sadly, a few years later Henry's wife and children are sold and Henry is lonely once again. Henry decides that he has to find a way out to freedom no matter what it takes. He meets up with a doctor who is part of the Underground Railroad and helps slaves to freedom. They decide to ship Henry to Philadelphia in a large crate. It is a long and painful trip but Henry finally makes it Philadelphia.
This book is perfect to use when teaching students about slavery and the Underground Railroad. I used it in a fourth grade lesson plan. The students got a glimpse of what slave life was like and how Henry must have felt losing his family.
The National Council for the Social Studies Standards, Individual, Groups, and Institutions, and Time Continuity, and Change are related and presented in the story. This book talks about the past during the time of slavery. It talks about how people lived and the students can gain a historical understanding of that time period and slavery. This book also relates to the standard about Individual, Groups, and Institutions. They students can see how serious the institution of slavery was. Slaves were owned by their masters and did not have the freedom to leave whenever they wanted. They were torn apart from their families and there was nothing they could do about it. The students can also see how much the laws and people have changed since that time.

Jaclyn Torres
Baylor University

Not only is the story itself uplifting and inspiring, but it is truly one of the most beautifully illustrated books I have ever seen. I was nearly moved to tears just reading the book for the first time. The stories of courageous men and women from an era not too long-gone is told and illustrated with poignancy, dignity, and respect. A book like this should be on the shelf of any child studying issues of slavery and freedom in the context of American history, as well as the shelf of any adult who could stand to be reminded of just how far we've come and how far we must still go.

First off, this is a quality book. But, this was given to my child as part of his Summer Reading program after First Grade to get ready for Second. Wow, I felt that the mature subject matter was upsetting for my Autistic/Asperger's child, creating fear, anxiety, and worry. He is very smart, but very sensitive. He can read much more than he can understand. He doesn't like anything violent (movies, videos, etc) and gets upset at many Disney films with lots of fighting and violence. He doesn't understand meanness and cruelty and you can see the bewilderment & upset on his face. He can dwell on topics to a great extent and can conjure up unrealistic fears that can really upset him emotionally...like beatings, being taken from the family, family sold and taken away...not to mention being shipped off confined in a box to somewhere far away and never seeing his family again. I just think it's a little much for my 7-year old and is a heavy topic for Summer Reading. I'd rather this be tackled in class with a good teacher who can guide the students in understanding and interpretation of the material. There are so many great books that tell such history to little ones without scaring them unnecessarily and so many books that are positive, uplifting, and happy to start the Summer with. There is plenty of time to give him a dose of reality when he is better able to handle it...but in truth, we are not sure when that might be. What we do know is that he needs to feel secure and not frightened. We want him to experience the joy of reading and learning as he appropriately matures on his own timetable. I read the book tonight but he evidently had read it in class. He was upset and couldn't go to sleep tonight and wanted us to stay with him in his room. There was actually another old folk tale book along with this one that also upset him and it too was an award winner. I thought the other one was gruesome instead of entertaining (for him or me) and am not happy that 2 books with sad, negative, heavy content would be given to my child for Summer Reading. I'd like it fine if he was older (5 stars) and I like the story myself...but for my specific child, I'd only give it 2 stars at his age. There are kids/families who would not think this story upsetting at all, but families usually know the quirks of their little ones and when you raise an Autistic child, you have to be one step ahead to avoid major emotional meltdowns, anxiety, and disrupted sleep so that these kids can have peace and rest. It's tricky choosing books for special needs children and one choice does not fit all. Best advice is to read the book beforehand to see if you notice anything that might trigger an upsetting response in your special child.

I got fooled by this book - the child on the cover led me to believe that a child was going north to freedom. Henry "Box" Brown escaped to freedom as an adult. Adorable boy on the cover is him as a child.

Beautiful book, simple words, understates the tragedy. Great illustrations of Henry *inside* the box.

Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad Henry is a dreamer! His perseverance and resilience takes him far! Levine and Nadir work hand in hand to create a vivid image of this young boy who barely knew himself but proves that there is always that possibility that things work out in the end. Hoorah! Henry travels the road of so many and wins in the end!

My boys absolutely love this book. Whenever we read it, they have so many questions and are truly interested in knowing what it must have been like to be a black boy in Henry's time. They also show such empathy for him and express feelings of concern as they see the different trials that Henry goes through. They usually finish the book with a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the freedom that they have. It is a sad book but sometimes the truth doesn't always feel good. Great book!

You will not be dissapointed with this book. It may break your heart if you allow yourself to really think about what was going on. My daughter's teacher read it to her class and had an entire room full of 2nd graders enthralled until the end. The story is well told & the illustrations are (as usual with Kadir Nelson) excellent. This is worth owning.

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.

This is the true story of Henry Brown, a slave during the mid-1800's, and his unique journey through the underground railroad. Wonderful pictures and simple text makes this a powerful read aloud that your students will want to hear again and again or borrow from the library to read for themselves.

I have to admit I bought this book because it was on sale, it won an award, and because it was on a tough subject and thought it would help teach my children about slavery. I didn't know if my daughter would like it at all, but she LOVES it! It is one of her all-time favorite books! She is almost 5 and my almost 2 year old likes it, too. Its a very sad book, but its something we need to know about and to teach to our children. It blows my mind that this took place in recent history and after I read the book, I think about that in amazement and gratitude that it is not like that anymore.

I really enjoyed this book! It explains what it was like to be a slave during the Civil War. As a kindergarten teacher, we talk about Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War and this helps students to understand what it was like to be a slave. It is very touching and brings tears to your eyes!

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+.

I wanted to like this book as a way to further approach the painful legacy of this country's past. However, I cringed at two insensitive items: 1) I do not like my ancestors referred to as slaves. I feel it is a degrading corroboration that they were somehow property as opposed to the reality that they were enslaved people kidnapped and held in captivity against all sense of humanity. 2) I cringe whenever I hear about masters being good to slaves. I have a hard time accepting the concept of a good master. If they were so good than why are they masters? Why are they forcing people to labor for them for free? I will be returning this book because I don't want it in my house.