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Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad
A stirring, dramatic story of a slave who mails himself to freedom by a Jane Addams Peace Award-winning author and a Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist.
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. Henry grows up and marries, but 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.
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. Henry grows up and marries, but 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.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
130 people are currently reading
8,055 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Levine
83 books50 followersEllen Levine's books have won many awards and honors, including the Jane Addams Peace Award. Although she enjoys writing both fiction and nonfiction, most of Ellen's books for young readers have been nonfiction. "Writing nonfiction lets me in behind the scenes of the story. I enjoy learning new things and meeting new people, even if they lived 200 years ago."
Ellen Levine was born in New York City. She received her B.A. degree in Politics from Brandeis University, graduating Magna cum laude. She has a Master's degree in political science from the University of Chicago and a Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law. She has worked in film and television, taught adults and immigrant teenagers in special education and ESL programs, and served a law clerkship with Chief Judge Joseph Lord, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania. A former staff attorney with a public interest law group, Levine now devotes her time to writing, lecturing, and teaching. She is on the faculty of Vermont College's MFA program in writing for Children and Young Adults.
Ellen Levine divides her time between New York City and Salem, New York.
Ellen Levine was born in New York City. She received her B.A. degree in Politics from Brandeis University, graduating Magna cum laude. She has a Master's degree in political science from the University of Chicago and a Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law. She has worked in film and television, taught adults and immigrant teenagers in special education and ESL programs, and served a law clerkship with Chief Judge Joseph Lord, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania. A former staff attorney with a public interest law group, Levine now devotes her time to writing, lecturing, and teaching. She is on the faculty of Vermont College's MFA program in writing for Children and Young Adults.
Ellen Levine divides her time between New York City and Salem, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,253 reviews
August 13, 2019
It’s amazing to me how much you can learn from children’s books. It might not have a ton of depth and it spares some of the reality of how brutal or hard things were, but I learn so much from reading these to the kids.
This is about Henry who lived as a slave to a good man, but the owner died and left him to his son. Henry grows up and eventually gets married. The woman is owned by another man and they are able to live together, which I didn’t know they let you do. Henry had several kids. One day, the owner of his wife up and sells all the kids and the wife and Henry is heartbroken. I can’t imagine losing your family like that. Cruel, just cruel. That broke my heart.
Henry can’t take it so, he makes a big box and with the help of a slave sympathizer he mails himself to Philadelphia. For 27 hours he endures being in a box upside down. I don’t know how he stood it. I can’t imagine.
Henry did win his freedom.
The niece was heartbroken that their family was broken up. She didn’t understand how that was possible. She did not like it. The nephew couldn’t understand why someone had to mail themselves anywhere. I admit, it is hard to comprehend such a brutal time among people. Both thought it was a good story, but a hard story. It does have a good ending, but it left them feeling funny too. There was no laughter, but the kids were glad that Henry made it to Philly. The nephew gave this 3 stars and the niece gave this 4.
This is about Henry who lived as a slave to a good man, but the owner died and left him to his son. Henry grows up and eventually gets married. The woman is owned by another man and they are able to live together, which I didn’t know they let you do. Henry had several kids. One day, the owner of his wife up and sells all the kids and the wife and Henry is heartbroken. I can’t imagine losing your family like that. Cruel, just cruel. That broke my heart.
Henry can’t take it so, he makes a big box and with the help of a slave sympathizer he mails himself to Philadelphia. For 27 hours he endures being in a box upside down. I don’t know how he stood it. I can’t imagine.
Henry did win his freedom.
The niece was heartbroken that their family was broken up. She didn’t understand how that was possible. She did not like it. The nephew couldn’t understand why someone had to mail themselves anywhere. I admit, it is hard to comprehend such a brutal time among people. Both thought it was a good story, but a hard story. It does have a good ending, but it left them feeling funny too. There was no laughter, but the kids were glad that Henry made it to Philly. The nephew gave this 3 stars and the niece gave this 4.
February 10, 2023
Ellen Levine's Henry's Freedom Box is a book that tugs at all of one's emotions. It makes one angry, sad, despairing, happy. And above all, it should make any reasonable, any compassionate human being indignant at the inhumanity of slavery and strive for liberty, justice and equality for all. In fact, I think that Henry's Freedom Box should be required reading in every elementary school classroom, not only in the United States of America, but globally.
That Henry Brown has basically no rights, that slaves are considered merely property and can be sold as though they were furniture, horses, cows etc. is both mind-boggling and an assault on all that is decent. And that Henry would be willing to actually mail himself in a wooden crate to an area of the United States where there is no slavery, in spite of the extreme danger of this undertaking to both life and limb, shows how desperate Henry is, how inhumane, how cruel slavery and the concept of slavery was and is. And while I do appreciate the fact that Henry is helped in his endeavour by not only his friend James, but also by Dr. Smith, a white man who is against slavery, I do indeed at times wonder why Dr. Smith does not offer to travel to Philadelphia with the box, as this would have made Henry's trip both safer and also much more comfortable.
As to the accompanying illustrations by Kadir Nelson, they literally do take one's breath away with their detail and expressiveness. Indeed they are a wonderful complement to the story, to Ellen Levine's words, and as such, they majorly underline the cruelty of slavery, the despair that slavery and the inhumane actions, behaviours of many (perhaps even most) of the slave owners have on those affected; one only has to look at Henry's eyes, his depicted sadness and utter despair when he loses his family (and not only once, but actually twice). I also appreciate that both the illustrations and textual words manage to successfully convey the cruelty of slavery without the use of either overtly violent pictures or narrative. And the appreciated fact that the violence and physical cruelty of slavery are never all that overtly shown (although always implied, always lurking in the backgorund) makes Henry's Freedom Box suitable for both younger and older children.
I have to admit that I do have a bit of a problem with Henry Brown being called a "runaway" slave. I know this is likely very much a personal dislike of the word, but whenever I hear or read the word "runaway" in conjunction with slave, it leaves a bit of a stigma and an air of negativity (as though Henry and other escaping slaves historically actually did something wrong, which in my mind is simply not the case, as they were escaping from situations, scenarios that were both morally and ethically criminal and inhumane). My friend Abigail calls Henry "Box" Brown an Abolitionist celebrity in her excellent review, and that is a much more fitting description in my opinion; one can even call Henry "Box" Brown an Abolitionist hero, because "runaway" semantically does (at least to and for me) leave the unacceptable tinge of Henry Brown actually having done something morally wrong in some manner.
And finally, while I have generally enjoyed the author's note and am most happy it has been included, I do rather feel that Ellen Levine has not given us nearly enough details. As I knew patently nothing about Henry "Box" Brown prior to reading , I for one would most definitely have appreciated more historical facts, additional information, not only about Henry's life and times as a slave, but also and especially with regard to his life after freedom, about his life in Philadelphia. Additional historical, non fiction details would of course also be an additional boon to teachers using this book in the classroom, as the story will undoubtedly engender both discussion and questions (which it should, which it must). But all-in-all, Henry's Freedom Box is a wonderful, moving, and very much important picture book, a book that should really be read by every child, and in my opinion, every adult as well.
That Henry Brown has basically no rights, that slaves are considered merely property and can be sold as though they were furniture, horses, cows etc. is both mind-boggling and an assault on all that is decent. And that Henry would be willing to actually mail himself in a wooden crate to an area of the United States where there is no slavery, in spite of the extreme danger of this undertaking to both life and limb, shows how desperate Henry is, how inhumane, how cruel slavery and the concept of slavery was and is. And while I do appreciate the fact that Henry is helped in his endeavour by not only his friend James, but also by Dr. Smith, a white man who is against slavery, I do indeed at times wonder why Dr. Smith does not offer to travel to Philadelphia with the box, as this would have made Henry's trip both safer and also much more comfortable.
As to the accompanying illustrations by Kadir Nelson, they literally do take one's breath away with their detail and expressiveness. Indeed they are a wonderful complement to the story, to Ellen Levine's words, and as such, they majorly underline the cruelty of slavery, the despair that slavery and the inhumane actions, behaviours of many (perhaps even most) of the slave owners have on those affected; one only has to look at Henry's eyes, his depicted sadness and utter despair when he loses his family (and not only once, but actually twice). I also appreciate that both the illustrations and textual words manage to successfully convey the cruelty of slavery without the use of either overtly violent pictures or narrative. And the appreciated fact that the violence and physical cruelty of slavery are never all that overtly shown (although always implied, always lurking in the backgorund) makes Henry's Freedom Box suitable for both younger and older children.
I have to admit that I do have a bit of a problem with Henry Brown being called a "runaway" slave. I know this is likely very much a personal dislike of the word, but whenever I hear or read the word "runaway" in conjunction with slave, it leaves a bit of a stigma and an air of negativity (as though Henry and other escaping slaves historically actually did something wrong, which in my mind is simply not the case, as they were escaping from situations, scenarios that were both morally and ethically criminal and inhumane). My friend Abigail calls Henry "Box" Brown an Abolitionist celebrity in her excellent review, and that is a much more fitting description in my opinion; one can even call Henry "Box" Brown an Abolitionist hero, because "runaway" semantically does (at least to and for me) leave the unacceptable tinge of Henry Brown actually having done something morally wrong in some manner.
And finally, while I have generally enjoyed the author's note and am most happy it has been included, I do rather feel that Ellen Levine has not given us nearly enough details. As I knew patently nothing about Henry "Box" Brown prior to reading , I for one would most definitely have appreciated more historical facts, additional information, not only about Henry's life and times as a slave, but also and especially with regard to his life after freedom, about his life in Philadelphia. Additional historical, non fiction details would of course also be an additional boon to teachers using this book in the classroom, as the story will undoubtedly engender both discussion and questions (which it should, which it must). But all-in-all, Henry's Freedom Box is a wonderful, moving, and very much important picture book, a book that should really be read by every child, and in my opinion, every adult as well.
February 21, 2015
This is another book that I was reading for the Children’s Book Club for Black History Month and I will admit that I just loved this book to death! “Henry’s Freedom Box” is a Caldecott Honor Book by Ellen Levine along with illustrations by Kadir Nelson and it is about a runaway slave named Henry “Box” Brown who thinks of a clever plan to get out of slavery after his family is sold. “Henry’s Freedom Box” is a truly inspiring and dramatic book for children who want to learn more about the horrors of slavery.
I am so glad that I had the opportunity to read this book because I wanted to learn more about black history, being that this is black history month and I wanted to learn more about the horrors of slavery for blacks. Ellen Levine had done an excellent job at writing this true story about Henry “Box” Brown’s clever escape from slavery. I loved how Ellen Levine made this story extremely dramatic and breathtaking at the same time as I was really moved by Henry’s loss of his family and how he wanted to escape from the cruel life of slavery and I was so amazed at how Henry escaped slavery by mailing himself in a box to freedom because that idea sounded so ingenious and risky that I was practically worrying about Henry’s safety in arriving to a land of freedom. I also loved how Ellen Levine provided a note at the end of the book about how Henry Brown was one of the most famous runaway slaves and how there were over four million slaves living in the United States and that information alone was enough to let me ask myself about how could we have so many innocent people as slaves? It really gave me so much knowledge about Henry Brown that I never knew before and how his plan made him such a famous runaway slave, which I think that his recognition in black history is greatly well deserved because his plan was so brilliant. Kadir Nelson’s illustrations are extremely beautiful in this book as they realistically portrayed the pain and sorrow that Henry has to endure during his days of slavery. The image I really loved was a close up shot of Henry’s sad face after his wife Nancy told him that their children might be sold and you can see the sadness on Henry’s face and what truly made this image so breathtaking was how the light from the window reflected off of Henry’s face, which seems to make this image look like a foreshadowing about what is in store for Henry.
All in all, “Henry’s Freedom Box” is a truly touching book that children who want to learn more about slavery and the heroic figures during slavery will easily enjoy this book! I would recommend this book to children ages five and up due to some sad scenes.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
March 1, 2017
This was a phenomenal book that taught about Henry Brown. During slavery he was married and had children, but when their master struggled with money they were sold to a different owner. He escaped slavery by being shipped in a box to Philadelphia.
This book is easy for children to follow a long and has great photos that represent everything that is being said.
This book is easy for children to follow a long and has great photos that represent everything that is being said.
February 1, 2011
I read this as one of six books chosen by the Children's Books group’s Picture Books Club for its February theme of Black History Month.
The subtitle of this book is: A True Story from the Underground Railroad. It’s the true story of Henry “Box” Brown, a man who mailed himself to freedom, to a state where there was no slavery. Before I read this, I thought that it was a historical fiction story; I didn’t realize that this was a true story until I read it. This book is a seamless mix of highly disturbing & very uplifting!
This book did a magnificent job of describing horrific events in a way suitable for children, even though there are going to be many highly perturbed readers/listeners. But, that is appropriate.
How Henry tolerated his burn and the shipping box, and the loss of loved ones (I’m still broken hearted over that!) makes for an amazing story. I’d never heard of this man before I’d read this book, and now I want to read more about him. This story covers Henry’s life from the time he was a young boy until he makes his escape as a man who’s been a husband and father.
Both within the story and in the author’s note, much information gets conveyed about the inhumanity of slavery. It does not shy away from the horrors slavery entailed, not the least of which was not belonging to yourself, not being free. Henry’s brilliant and brave choice is very inspiring and it and the resolution kept the book from being overly disturbing. I was happy to see that one of the people who helped Henry escape, and helped make arrangements for his destination, was a white doctor who did not believe in slavery.
I do recommend this for reading aloud, one to one or in a group. Kids, especially sensitive kids, are likely to have a lot of questions and want to discuss Henry’s life, slavery, etc.
The illustrations are wonderful. I can understand why this book is a Caldecott Honor book.
4 ½ stars; ½ star off because I wanted more details, even in this children’s picture book.
Henry's birthday (which he made possible) after living a life with no birthday (because slaves were not allowed to have birthdays - don't get me started on the human race -) is such a powerful moment in the story.
The subtitle of this book is: A True Story from the Underground Railroad. It’s the true story of Henry “Box” Brown, a man who mailed himself to freedom, to a state where there was no slavery. Before I read this, I thought that it was a historical fiction story; I didn’t realize that this was a true story until I read it. This book is a seamless mix of highly disturbing & very uplifting!
This book did a magnificent job of describing horrific events in a way suitable for children, even though there are going to be many highly perturbed readers/listeners. But, that is appropriate.
How Henry tolerated his burn and the shipping box, and the loss of loved ones (I’m still broken hearted over that!) makes for an amazing story. I’d never heard of this man before I’d read this book, and now I want to read more about him. This story covers Henry’s life from the time he was a young boy until he makes his escape as a man who’s been a husband and father.
Both within the story and in the author’s note, much information gets conveyed about the inhumanity of slavery. It does not shy away from the horrors slavery entailed, not the least of which was not belonging to yourself, not being free. Henry’s brilliant and brave choice is very inspiring and it and the resolution kept the book from being overly disturbing. I was happy to see that one of the people who helped Henry escape, and helped make arrangements for his destination, was a white doctor who did not believe in slavery.
I do recommend this for reading aloud, one to one or in a group. Kids, especially sensitive kids, are likely to have a lot of questions and want to discuss Henry’s life, slavery, etc.
The illustrations are wonderful. I can understand why this book is a Caldecott Honor book.
4 ½ stars; ½ star off because I wanted more details, even in this children’s picture book.
Henry's birthday (which he made possible) after living a life with no birthday (because slaves were not allowed to have birthdays - don't get me started on the human race -) is such a powerful moment in the story.
December 14, 2012
Reviewed for THC Reviews
Henry's Freedom Box is a wonderful storybook for teaching younger children about slavery and the Underground Railroad. It is the true story of Henry “Box” Brown who mailed himself to freedom. Henry's bravery and ingenuity were inspiring to read about. It is very sad that Henry lost his entire family when they were sold and apparently was never reunited with them, but it seems that his pain may have been a driving force in his quest for freedom. He also became an internationally renowned spokesperson for the Underground Railroad and abolition, and even wrote an autobiographical account of his life as a slave and his escape which I hope to read at some point.
Half the beauty of a picture book are the illustrations and the ones here are quite lovely. I was very impressed with how realistic and emotive they are. The pictures almost tell the story all by themselves. Kadir Nelson is a very talented artist. His illustrations combined with Ellen Levine's words to create an amazing book that became a Caldecott Honor book as well as winning numerous other awards and accolades. In my opinion, they are all well-deserved. I recommend Henry's Freedom Box to both children and parents, and I'll definitely be acquiring a copy for my own keeper shelf.
Henry's Freedom Box is a wonderful storybook for teaching younger children about slavery and the Underground Railroad. It is the true story of Henry “Box” Brown who mailed himself to freedom. Henry's bravery and ingenuity were inspiring to read about. It is very sad that Henry lost his entire family when they were sold and apparently was never reunited with them, but it seems that his pain may have been a driving force in his quest for freedom. He also became an internationally renowned spokesperson for the Underground Railroad and abolition, and even wrote an autobiographical account of his life as a slave and his escape which I hope to read at some point.
Half the beauty of a picture book are the illustrations and the ones here are quite lovely. I was very impressed with how realistic and emotive they are. The pictures almost tell the story all by themselves. Kadir Nelson is a very talented artist. His illustrations combined with Ellen Levine's words to create an amazing book that became a Caldecott Honor book as well as winning numerous other awards and accolades. In my opinion, they are all well-deserved. I recommend Henry's Freedom Box to both children and parents, and I'll definitely be acquiring a copy for my own keeper shelf.
February 3, 2011
Excellent biography of Henry, a slave who mails himself to freedom with help from white friends on "the underground railroad." I love that it conveyed the issues and emotions so poignantly and powerfully without being too graphic or bogged down. I just felt so in-tune with what Henry was going through--I mean, obviously I have no idea what it must have really been like, but kudos to the author and illustrator for making me feel like I was "there" and that my heart had been on a remarkable journey in just these few short pages. I also appreciate that "good" white people were shown, helping on the Underground Railroad, and I loved Henry's ingenuity and bravery in mailing himself to freedom. And the complexities of the slave owners were also hinted at--such as how the one was a "good master" but not good enough to free his slaves upon his death; and how Henry's family was allowed to stay together (a "nice" thing in the time) until there were hard times on the plantation and the owner had to sell them. Not that I am making any excuses for the slave owners, but I just appreciated the book showing these nuances so subtly and in a seamless flow with the narrative. And the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and so heartfelt. Anyway, a five star book for me! (The typical age recommendation I see is 4-8; I think four is too young but the 6-8 group might be okay-- it is more gentle than a lot of picture books about slavery; but at the same time some children could be very upset at the idea of a family being torn apart. I think it's so haunting! And the scene where Henry burns his own hand so he has an excuse to stay home one day is heart-wrenching!)
August 11, 2017
This is an inspirational, amazing and true story, with breathtakingly detailed and expressive illustrations. It is certainly worthy of its Caldecott Honor designation. It's a story that will take you from joy to heartache and back again in a short narrative that will captivate young elementary school-age children.
We read this as one of the February 2011 selections for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books group here at Goodreads. I am so grateful to have been introduced to this story, and that I was able to share it with our girls.
This book was also selected as one of the books for the September 2017- Caldecott Honors 2008-2012 discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
We read this as one of the February 2011 selections for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books group here at Goodreads. I am so grateful to have been introduced to this story, and that I was able to share it with our girls.
This book was also selected as one of the books for the September 2017- Caldecott Honors 2008-2012 discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
February 14, 2008
More amazing illustrations by Kadir Nelson. Definitely deserves all the accolades it's gotten this year. Based on an incredible story that I hadn't heard before. A boy born in to slavery is sold away from his family as a young child. As an adult, his wife and children are sold away from him. At that point, he just can't take it anymore, and he decides to send himself all the way from Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, in a box. He makes it there, and for the rest of his life he's known as Henry "BOX" Brown. I love this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2011
Henry's Freedom Box was a story selection for the Children’s Picture Book Club found here: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4...
First off thank you again to the group for introducing wonderful books I may have otherwise never found! I held this book in my hands for several minutes after I read it. This isn’t a normal practice for me. I fought back tears and feelings of heartbreak at the same time thinking this was a fabulous book. I felt I was living every moment with Henry on his journey to freedom by mailing himself in a box. Henry was amazing and brave to even have thought of that. It was refreshing to read about the people who helped Henry on his journey, one of them being a white doctor who thought slavery was wrong. I had never heard of Henry “Box” Brown before reading this book and actually thought it was a fiction until I read the inside jacket flap.
The illustrations were superb, using crosshatched pencil lines and applied layers of watercolor and oil paint. So lovely, no wonder it is a Caldecott Honor Book. I learned that Kadir Nelson illustrated Will Smith’s Just the Two of Us which received an NAACP Image Award. (I have added this to my to-read shelf)
I always appreciate when books add additional information. This book provided additional information on Henry and the Underground Railroad. This is a book that makes you think, think about what this man had to go through for freedom and how lucky you are to have been born free.
First off thank you again to the group for introducing wonderful books I may have otherwise never found! I held this book in my hands for several minutes after I read it. This isn’t a normal practice for me. I fought back tears and feelings of heartbreak at the same time thinking this was a fabulous book. I felt I was living every moment with Henry on his journey to freedom by mailing himself in a box. Henry was amazing and brave to even have thought of that. It was refreshing to read about the people who helped Henry on his journey, one of them being a white doctor who thought slavery was wrong. I had never heard of Henry “Box” Brown before reading this book and actually thought it was a fiction until I read the inside jacket flap.
The illustrations were superb, using crosshatched pencil lines and applied layers of watercolor and oil paint. So lovely, no wonder it is a Caldecott Honor Book. I learned that Kadir Nelson illustrated Will Smith’s Just the Two of Us which received an NAACP Image Award. (I have added this to my to-read shelf)
I always appreciate when books add additional information. This book provided additional information on Henry and the Underground Railroad. This is a book that makes you think, think about what this man had to go through for freedom and how lucky you are to have been born free.
October 19, 2016
This is a true story from the Underground Railroad about an African American slave gaining his freedom and the hardships he faces achieving this victory. Henry is a young boy who does not have a birthday. This is no surprise because there were no records of slave’s birthdays. He is torn from his family at a young age and put to work in a warehouse. He soon meets a girl named Nancy and marries her. They have three children and are happy. Henry’s happiness is torn away when his family gets sold in the slave market while Henry was at worked. He continues to work and accepts that he will never see his family again, but does not accept his current lifestyle. He decides that he must try to escape to a place where there are no slaves. With the help of a White man named Dr. Smith, Henry mailed himself in a wooden crate to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After a long journey, Henry arrives safely and finally has a birthday which is also the day he gained his freedom.
I would use this book in my classroom as a starting point for a social studies unit on slavery. We would first discuss what we think we know about slavery before reading this book. As we read the book, there will be numerous stopping points and pauses for children to think about what they just heard and respond to it in turn and talks and in their writing journals. I would have the students compare their ideas prior to reading the book to the new information they learned about slavery after reading “Henry’s Freedom Box.” I think that this is a great way to introduce slavery to students especially because this text is based on true events.
I am in awe after reading this book. I caught myself constantly empathizing with Henry and feeling all sorts of emotions. I felt devastated, upset, hopeful, and joyous while reading this book. I think that it would be a wonderful story when teaching empathy because the reader gets so drawn into each page, constantly feeling what Henry is feeling. The first page draws you in right away saying, “Henry Brown wasn’t sure how old he was. Henry was a slave. And slaves weren’t allowed to know their birthdays.” Wow. Right away I was captivated and dying to read the rest. The author’s words are undeniably impactful and captivating. The illustrations coincide beautifully with the sentences and shine into the soul of each character.
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“Do you see those leaves blowing in the wind? They are torn from the trees like slave children are torn from their families.” This quote along with this illustration tugged at my heart. As she tenderly holds her son watching the leaves leaving the trees foreshadowing their upcoming separation.
“Free bird! Happy Bird!” Henry thought as he observed a carefree bird flying into away. Henry constantly dreamed of his freedom and later references a free bird stating, “A little bird flew out of a tree into the open sky. And Henry thought about being free.”
![](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1424556072i/13777045.jpg")
“Blood rushed to his head. His face got hot. His eyes ached. He thought his head would burst. But he was afraid to move.” I cannot imagine how painful this journey was for Henry. This picture shows his discomfort, pain, and struggle as he journeys far away to gain his freedom.
I would use this book in my classroom as a starting point for a social studies unit on slavery. We would first discuss what we think we know about slavery before reading this book. As we read the book, there will be numerous stopping points and pauses for children to think about what they just heard and respond to it in turn and talks and in their writing journals. I would have the students compare their ideas prior to reading the book to the new information they learned about slavery after reading “Henry’s Freedom Box.” I think that this is a great way to introduce slavery to students especially because this text is based on true events.
I am in awe after reading this book. I caught myself constantly empathizing with Henry and feeling all sorts of emotions. I felt devastated, upset, hopeful, and joyous while reading this book. I think that it would be a wonderful story when teaching empathy because the reader gets so drawn into each page, constantly feeling what Henry is feeling. The first page draws you in right away saying, “Henry Brown wasn’t sure how old he was. Henry was a slave. And slaves weren’t allowed to know their birthdays.” Wow. Right away I was captivated and dying to read the rest. The author’s words are undeniably impactful and captivating. The illustrations coincide beautifully with the sentences and shine into the soul of each character.
[image error]
“Do you see those leaves blowing in the wind? They are torn from the trees like slave children are torn from their families.” This quote along with this illustration tugged at my heart. As she tenderly holds her son watching the leaves leaving the trees foreshadowing their upcoming separation.
“Free bird! Happy Bird!” Henry thought as he observed a carefree bird flying into away. Henry constantly dreamed of his freedom and later references a free bird stating, “A little bird flew out of a tree into the open sky. And Henry thought about being free.”
“Blood rushed to his head. His face got hot. His eyes ached. He thought his head would burst. But he was afraid to move.” I cannot imagine how painful this journey was for Henry. This picture shows his discomfort, pain, and struggle as he journeys far away to gain his freedom.
March 29, 2010
Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story of the Underground Railroad is appropriate for students in grades 2-5. It received a Caldecott Honor Award in 2008.
It might seem odd, but Kadir Nelson's illustrations for this book reminded me of Brian Selznick's work in The Invention of Hugo Cabret. More than anything, the quality that seems to connect these illustrators in my mind is the crosshatching that adds texture, depth and shadow to the images in both close ups and "wide shots" of the action. To me, Nelson's work is what Selznick's might look like if oil and watercolor were added. Although Nelson's art was inspired by a lithograph of Henry "Box" Brown and Selznick was inspired by early film, the two artists are stylistically inseparable for me.
The very first page of this text is captivating as one side of the spread is a wash of sepia tone with a small, tan textbox inset which reads, "Henry Brown wasn't sure how old he was. Henry was a slave. And slaves weren't allowed to know their birthdays." The directness of the words paired with the image of Henry on the following page is both captivating and haunting. Henry Brown seems to stare out at you, beckon you, with sad eyes, to read his story.
The true events of his life, like his eyes, are somber. As a boy, Henry thinks he will be set free when his master dies, but instead is given to his owner's son and separated from his family. One day in town he meets Nancy, and months later, he asks her to be his wife. They have three children. Henry never imagined he could be so happy, but Nancy worries that the children will be sold. Then Nancy's fears become reality--Henry watches as his wife and children disappear from his life, forever. Next, out of great melancholy comes great desire. Henry devises a plan to escape the bonds of slavery. He decides to mail himself to freedom, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This fateful journey earns him the name Henry "Box" Brown. He declares that his first day of freedom, March, 30, 1849 is his birthday.
For me, this book is a satisfying whole. The breathtaking illustrations take readers along on Henry's heroic journey to freedom and the text, while sparse and to the point includes critical and meaningful details. It could be utilized in a unit on the underground railroad.
The reason this text received a Caldecott Honor is clear. The combination of drawing, oil and watercolor displays “excellence of execution in the artistic technique employed.” Nelson picks up on the most critical elements of the text and at times his close-up illustrations force the reader to focus on details they might otherwise overlook. His “pictorial interpretation of the story” makes the reader sympathize with Henry “Box” Brown, and rejoice at his freedom. The style of the illustrations—realism—is appropriate to the story because the text is historical fiction. In much of Nelson’s work, the story is told through the illustrations and Henry’s Freedom Box is no exception. The illustrations, particularly the sequence where Henry enters the box and ships himself to freedom will help younger readers understand and appreciate this book. I also feel that because the story begins with Henry as a child and follows him through adulthood, child readers will empathize with his story.
It might seem odd, but Kadir Nelson's illustrations for this book reminded me of Brian Selznick's work in The Invention of Hugo Cabret. More than anything, the quality that seems to connect these illustrators in my mind is the crosshatching that adds texture, depth and shadow to the images in both close ups and "wide shots" of the action. To me, Nelson's work is what Selznick's might look like if oil and watercolor were added. Although Nelson's art was inspired by a lithograph of Henry "Box" Brown and Selznick was inspired by early film, the two artists are stylistically inseparable for me.
The very first page of this text is captivating as one side of the spread is a wash of sepia tone with a small, tan textbox inset which reads, "Henry Brown wasn't sure how old he was. Henry was a slave. And slaves weren't allowed to know their birthdays." The directness of the words paired with the image of Henry on the following page is both captivating and haunting. Henry Brown seems to stare out at you, beckon you, with sad eyes, to read his story.
The true events of his life, like his eyes, are somber. As a boy, Henry thinks he will be set free when his master dies, but instead is given to his owner's son and separated from his family. One day in town he meets Nancy, and months later, he asks her to be his wife. They have three children. Henry never imagined he could be so happy, but Nancy worries that the children will be sold. Then Nancy's fears become reality--Henry watches as his wife and children disappear from his life, forever. Next, out of great melancholy comes great desire. Henry devises a plan to escape the bonds of slavery. He decides to mail himself to freedom, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This fateful journey earns him the name Henry "Box" Brown. He declares that his first day of freedom, March, 30, 1849 is his birthday.
For me, this book is a satisfying whole. The breathtaking illustrations take readers along on Henry's heroic journey to freedom and the text, while sparse and to the point includes critical and meaningful details. It could be utilized in a unit on the underground railroad.
The reason this text received a Caldecott Honor is clear. The combination of drawing, oil and watercolor displays “excellence of execution in the artistic technique employed.” Nelson picks up on the most critical elements of the text and at times his close-up illustrations force the reader to focus on details they might otherwise overlook. His “pictorial interpretation of the story” makes the reader sympathize with Henry “Box” Brown, and rejoice at his freedom. The style of the illustrations—realism—is appropriate to the story because the text is historical fiction. In much of Nelson’s work, the story is told through the illustrations and Henry’s Freedom Box is no exception. The illustrations, particularly the sequence where Henry enters the box and ships himself to freedom will help younger readers understand and appreciate this book. I also feel that because the story begins with Henry as a child and follows him through adulthood, child readers will empathize with his story.
September 4, 2021
Eight years ago when I first read this, I thought it was great. Looking at it again now having developed a more critical lens on representation, there are concerns. This was shared in a group talking about it: "The author of the story is white. There are very outdated terms that are problematic. Twice the author compares Henry to inanimate objects. While Henry is the main character, he only has 5 out of 19 lines of dialogue. So he does not preside over his own story. The author states that the enslaver is "good to Henry and his family". In general the book makes enslavement appear like it was easy to avoid if you were smart and tried to be inventive to escape." which leads to concerns about continuing to elevate it uncritically.
December 15, 2015
Henry Brown wasn't sure how old he was. Henry was a slave. And slaves weren't allowed to know their birthdays.
April 15, 2022
This is such a sad and heart-breaking read regardless the happy ending but still, i cannot imagine my wife and kids being taken away from me like that and being sold like they are some kind of goods. That's just too much to take in. Whatmore to gain one's freedom by squeezing oneself into a box and got it mailed to another state like Henry does, i just cannot imagine how much more pain,suffering and discomfort one has got to endure in order to seek one's freedom. I wish the book would elaborate more on what happened to Henry? Did he get to be reunited with his family again or not?.
June 7, 2017
Henry doesn’t know his age-slaves aren’t allowed to know their birthdays. Henry’s master sells him to his son, and Henry works many years in a factory. He married a woman named Nancy and they had children. Then, one heart-wrenching day, Henry’s wife and children are sold and Henry knows me may never see them again. He decides to mail himself to a place where there are no slaves, in Philadelphia. Some friends help Henry stow away in a shipping crate. On his journey in his box, he was lifted, thrown, and turned upside down. Then, he arrived safely in Philadelphia and was reborn a free man.
I listened to an audio version of this book through my library’s Hoopla site. During the reading of this book, soulful music played in the background, and this was a nice added touch. Henry’s Freedom Box is a 2008 Caldecott Honor book. This book can help teach students about the realities of families being sold and separated during slavery. People could be sold at any time like they were an object. The author uses a lot of great symbolism, such as comparing leaves ripping off trees to families being ripped apart, or a bird representing freedom. Students could find symbolism as they read this story and the symbolism would help students understand what the characters feel like.
I listened to an audio version of this book through my library’s Hoopla site. During the reading of this book, soulful music played in the background, and this was a nice added touch. Henry’s Freedom Box is a 2008 Caldecott Honor book. This book can help teach students about the realities of families being sold and separated during slavery. People could be sold at any time like they were an object. The author uses a lot of great symbolism, such as comparing leaves ripping off trees to families being ripped apart, or a bird representing freedom. Students could find symbolism as they read this story and the symbolism would help students understand what the characters feel like.
January 29, 2019
A well told tale to assist younger children in learning of slavery and how one slave managed to escape to freedom.
Ages: 4 - 8
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Ages: 4 - 8
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
February 7, 2017
Beautifully hand drawn portraits about Henry Brown, a young slave who didn’t know how old he was because slaves weren’t allowed to know their birthdays. Henry grew up, married and had children then one day while working in the tobacco field, another slave told Henry that his wife and children had been sold.
Henry’s Brown Box is about the chances Henry took to gain his freedom after his family was sold.
Henry’s Brown Box is about the chances Henry took to gain his freedom after his family was sold.
May 18, 2017
I'm going to predict that this will win a Coretta Scott King Award for illustrations in 2008. I'd read about Henry "Box" Brown in books for older children, so I'm happy to see this picture book on him. I can't imagine being cramped up in that box for days!
February 11, 2018
A picture book based on a true story. I read this story aloud to my middle school classes during Black History Month. When they discover that it is based on a true story, they're fascinated, horrified, and in awe of this man's courage and yearning to be free. A must read!
September 27, 2009
This true story of the time of the Underground Railroad would be a perfect companion to “Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt,” a story about Harriet Tubman, or any of the books included in a unit on the Underground Railroad. The beautiful imagery and vivid descriptions make it a perfect read aloud. Freedom is compared to an autumn leaf, as Henry’s mother says, “Do you see those leaves blowing in the wind? They are torn from the trees like slave children are torn from their families.” This also foreshadows Henry’s future. Henry, himself, compares freedom to the birds that soar above. The difficulties and hardships of the slaves are depicted in both the full page illustrations, as well as the story text. An action-filled page shows Henry’s family being driven away from him. The dark background of the next few pages accurately depicts Henry’s feelings. At last, Henry’s escape from slavery is by being mailed in a box to Philadelphia. He celebrates his birthday on his first day of freedom. This incredible story of courage and fortitude while faced with intense sadness is a tale that children and adults alike will not forget.
September 17, 2011
Kadir Nelson’s art is amazing, as always. He uses color very effectively to illustrate Henry’s moods and feelings throughout the story. Henry, a slave living before the Civil War, decides to escape to freedom. His beloved wife and children have been sold and he doesn’t expect to ever be reunited with them. He finds a white friend who doesn’t believe in slavery who agrees to literally mail him to a free state. Ellen Levine very clearly describes the effect that slavery had on families and address some of the realities of slave life in the United States. Highly recommended for students in grades 2 - 5.
August 19, 2016
First, let me just say how incredible Kadir Nelson's illustrations are. The sheer beauty and brilliance of his work never ceases to amaze me. The pictures in Henry's Freedom Box are no exception--simply gorgeous. The text is fairly simple, making this a great introductory book for children about the topic of slavery. It's a heartbreaking story, don't get me wrong, and by the end if you don't weep and cheer for Henry, well, I'm not sure you're actually a human being. There's a little author note at the end that sums up the remainder of Henry's life that I really appreciated. Definitely read this Caldecott Honor Book if you haven't already.
October 28, 2011
This book caught my eye because of the fabulous illustrations by Kadir Nelson. It tells the story of Henry Brown, who, in 1849, escaped from slavery by having himself mailed to Philadelphia. Henry traveled 350 miles from Richmond, Virginia, in a nail-biting trip that took twenty-seven hours. Henry “Box” Brown became one of the most famous escaped slaves and his story remains incredibly inspirational.
July 10, 2017
An interesting story from the Underground Railroad that I hadn't heard before. I really liked how the sensitive issues of slavery were presented without sugar coating them for kids but also without making them super graphic, either. A great intro to slavery and the Abolitionist movement for young elementary kids.
June 17, 2018
Calecott Honor 2008
True story based on one of the most famous runaway slaves. This story is about Henry "Box" Brown who literally mailed himself to freedom. I liked how the story was historically accurate, sad, but uplifting, too. This account was documented in The Underground Railroad by William Still, published in 1872.
True story based on one of the most famous runaway slaves. This story is about Henry "Box" Brown who literally mailed himself to freedom. I liked how the story was historically accurate, sad, but uplifting, too. This account was documented in The Underground Railroad by William Still, published in 1872.
January 9, 2017
Absolutely love using this book in my classes as we embark on our historical fiction unit. The illustrations help to tell the story of a brave young man on his journey to start his new life.
December 3, 2019
Ellen Levine, the author of numerous historical and biographical works for young people, including a number of entries in the If You... series -
If Your Name Was Changed At Ellis Island
,
If You Lived With The Iroquois
,
If You Traveled on the Underground Railroad
- turns her attention to the story of escaped slave Henry Box Brown in this award-winning picture-book. Born a slave in antebellum Virginia, Henry Brown was parted from his mother and family at a young age, and sent to work at a tobacco factory in Richmond. Here he met and fell in love with Nancy, a follow slave, and having obtained the permission of their respective owners, they married, and had three children together. But one terrible day, when Nancy's owner sold her and the children away from Richmond, Henry knew that - for the second time in his life - he would never see his family again. It was then that he conceived of his daring escape plan - to ship himself north to freedom in a box - a plan that would make him an Abolitionist celebrity, and earn him his middle name...
I knew nothing about Henry's Freedom Box before it was chosen by the Picture-Book Club to which I belong as one of our February selections, in honor of Black History Month; nor had I ever heard of Henry Box Brown. How glad I am that this omission has been rectified! Levine's narrative is a moving one, emphasizing the inhumanity of slavery, and the courage of those who rebelled against it. Young readers will be enthralled, as they follow Henry's perilous journey north. I myself came away with a desire to know more, and will try to track down Brown's own (adult) narrative. The artwork by Kadir Nelson, done in pencil, watercolor and oil, won him a Caldecott Honor in 2008, an award that was richly deserved! His colors are deep, his use of light adept, and his underlying pencil lines create an impression of depth and texture that is very appealing.
Highly recommended to anyone looking for good picture-books about slavery and the Underground Railroad, as well as to all Kadir Nelson fans!
I knew nothing about Henry's Freedom Box before it was chosen by the Picture-Book Club to which I belong as one of our February selections, in honor of Black History Month; nor had I ever heard of Henry Box Brown. How glad I am that this omission has been rectified! Levine's narrative is a moving one, emphasizing the inhumanity of slavery, and the courage of those who rebelled against it. Young readers will be enthralled, as they follow Henry's perilous journey north. I myself came away with a desire to know more, and will try to track down Brown's own (adult) narrative. The artwork by Kadir Nelson, done in pencil, watercolor and oil, won him a Caldecott Honor in 2008, an award that was richly deserved! His colors are deep, his use of light adept, and his underlying pencil lines create an impression of depth and texture that is very appealing.
Highly recommended to anyone looking for good picture-books about slavery and the Underground Railroad, as well as to all Kadir Nelson fans!
December 8, 2020
Does it ever still just floor anyone else that PEOPLE were bought and sold? And this was just ACCEPTED? Like what the hell is wrong with humanity that we were able to somehow justify and/or ignore this, in so many places and times across the world and history? This is a necessary book, as I hadn't ever heard of Henry "Box" Brown, and I am highly encouraging of untold stories being told and unheard voices being listened to. I do have some qualms about some of the phrasing about Henry's master being "good" to the family. I mean, I really don't care how polite you are if you are okay with thinking you can own another human being. *shrug* But that aside, I'm glad Henry's story is being told. I'm just broken that he never found his wife and children after they were sold.
October 18, 2016
Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad is about a boy named Henry who was a slave. When his master gets sick, Henry feels a glimmer of hope that he might be set free. Instead he learns that he will be sold to his master’s son. As Henry says goodbye to his family, he notices the free birds soaring high above him. Henry works in his new master’s factory and he is very lonely until he meets Nancy. He falls in love with Nancy and they get married and have kids together. Sadly, Henry’s wife and kids get sold, and Henry is left all alone. He knows that he will never see his family again. He is sad and no longer sings or hums the way he did when he had his family with him. He decides to risk it all and seek help from conductors in the Underground Railroad. They put him in a box and he mails himself to Philadelphia where he can now live as a free man.
Henry’s Freedom Box would be a wonderful book to use for a think aloud focusing on modeling making connections, predictions, questions, and wonders. Being that this is such an emotional book, the think aloud should also include thoughts on how the reader is feeling while reading. I’ve found a couple of interesting stopping points that teachers might want to use:
“‘Do you see those leaves blowing in the wind? They are torn from the trees like slave children are torn from their families.” Wow I can only imagine being torn away from my mom and dad. Everyone close their eyes and imagine how slaves might feel knowing that they could be separated from the ones they love. I wonder if Henry’s family will be torn apart.
“‘Your wife and children were just sold at the market.” “No!” cried Henry. Henry couldn’t move. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t work.” My heart just dropped. Henry’s family made him so happy that he sang. I predict that Henry will be very sad and might have to find a way to make himself happier.
“Many weeks passed. One morning, Henry heard singing. A little bird flew out of a tree into the open sky. And Henry thought about being free.” I am thinking about how slaves could become free. I am remembering when we read about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. I wonder if this is what Henry will do. I hope he does. I think he deserves freedom after all he has been through.
Henry’s Freedom box could be used in any literature unit revolving Black history, slavery, the Underground Railroad, freedom, family separation, and much more.
This book is a WOW book because it is a unique story of the Underground Railroad. The main character risks his life to literally mail himself to freedom!! The book will really stir readers up emotionally and get them thinking about the development of human rights over time. A lot of progress has been made since the days of slavery, but there is a lot more to be done. This book is a reminder of America’s dark past, the heartache it caused for slaves, and the hope that was offered by brave souls who were willing to stand up for what was right.
Storyline aside, the pictures themselves are so detailed and interesting that it is no wonder it is a Caldecott honor book. Upon doing simply a picture walk, readers can be emotionally triggered and have a sense of what the story is about while still begging to know how the story will unfold.
Henry’s Freedom Box would be a wonderful book to use for a think aloud focusing on modeling making connections, predictions, questions, and wonders. Being that this is such an emotional book, the think aloud should also include thoughts on how the reader is feeling while reading. I’ve found a couple of interesting stopping points that teachers might want to use:
“‘Do you see those leaves blowing in the wind? They are torn from the trees like slave children are torn from their families.” Wow I can only imagine being torn away from my mom and dad. Everyone close their eyes and imagine how slaves might feel knowing that they could be separated from the ones they love. I wonder if Henry’s family will be torn apart.
“‘Your wife and children were just sold at the market.” “No!” cried Henry. Henry couldn’t move. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t work.” My heart just dropped. Henry’s family made him so happy that he sang. I predict that Henry will be very sad and might have to find a way to make himself happier.
“Many weeks passed. One morning, Henry heard singing. A little bird flew out of a tree into the open sky. And Henry thought about being free.” I am thinking about how slaves could become free. I am remembering when we read about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. I wonder if this is what Henry will do. I hope he does. I think he deserves freedom after all he has been through.
Henry’s Freedom box could be used in any literature unit revolving Black history, slavery, the Underground Railroad, freedom, family separation, and much more.
This book is a WOW book because it is a unique story of the Underground Railroad. The main character risks his life to literally mail himself to freedom!! The book will really stir readers up emotionally and get them thinking about the development of human rights over time. A lot of progress has been made since the days of slavery, but there is a lot more to be done. This book is a reminder of America’s dark past, the heartache it caused for slaves, and the hope that was offered by brave souls who were willing to stand up for what was right.
Storyline aside, the pictures themselves are so detailed and interesting that it is no wonder it is a Caldecott honor book. Upon doing simply a picture walk, readers can be emotionally triggered and have a sense of what the story is about while still begging to know how the story will unfold.
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