Henry's Freedoom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad, Caldecott Book #3

Levine, E. (2007). Henry's freedom box: a true story from the underground railroad. New York: Scholastic.


This book tells a wonderful but heartbreaking story of a man named Henry Brown who was a slave. As a boy, Henry's master was on the verge of death and Henry was optimistic that he would be granted freedom. Instead, Henry and the other slaves were given to the master's son, who treated them even worse than their original master. After he became an adult and had children of his own, Henry's family was sold and seperated. Out of desperation, Henry speaks to an abolitionist and decides to be boxed in a crate, and mailed to freedom! The journey is hard and long, but Henry makes it through!
I thought this book was absolutely fabulous! The pictures are out of this world! Henry's story is very sad but does end on a high note after he mails himself to freedom. As I read this book, I found myself reflecting on what life must have been like for the slaves of this era. I can't imagine being ofrced to do some of the things that slaves did on a daily basis, let alone being sold away from my family with no say about anything. I also can't imagine the heartbreak of Henry's family after thinking they would be granted freedom and then being turned to a new master that was even worse than the first.
Henry's story is one of hope and love. I have not read any other books by this author, but I venture to say that if they're anything like this book, I would like them! This book showed me that even though it is Children's Literature, you can still address issues that are usually reserved for a more mature audience, with reservation.