Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine, Illustrations by Kadir Nelson
Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine and illustrations by Kadir Nelson is the last book that I’ll be spotlighting for Black History Month. First, just take a look at that cover! Oh my. What a beautiful book, what beautiful illustrations. It’s the type of book that you know is special as soon as you lay eyes on it.
Like the title says, this book is based on the true story of Henry. Beginning when he’s just a boy, Henry doesn’t know how old he is. Slaves aren’t supposed to have birthdays. When his master falls ill he hopes that he will be set free, like some other slaves. But he’s instead given to the master’s son and torn from his family. Henry grows older, meets Nancy, and they marry and have three beautiful children. While Henry is working at the factory, a friend comes to tell him that his wife and children were just sold at the slave market. He arrives just in time to see them being carted away.
Knowing that he will never see his family again, he decides to take desperate measures to secure his freedom. He literally nails himself into a crate and mails himself to Philadelphia. For 27 hours, he is crammed into this little box as he is thrown around, put upside down, and travels more then 350 miles. And amazingly, it worked! As the author’s note states, “Henry ‘Box’ Brown became one of the most famous runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad – the man who mailed himself to freedom.”
Kadir Nelson’s illustrations are simply stunning. What more is there to say than to know that you’ve got your hands on something special? Henry’s Freedom Box is a 2008 Caldecott Honor Book. Amazing story. Amazing book.
Kadir Nelson’s website.
Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad is part of my themed reading for the month of February which celebrates Black History Month. Join me this month as I explore books that celebrate the history of African-Americans. Also reviewed this month Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, Voice that Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights by Russel Freedman, Letters from a Slave Girl, The Story of Harriet Jacobs by Mary E. Lyons, The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles, The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox, Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grime, The Well by Mildred D. Taylor, Freedom Walkers, The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Russell Freedman, Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges and Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson. Other reviews of interest: A Thousand Never Evers by Shana Burg, Yankee Girl by Mary Ann Rodman.
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Category: Book Reviews, Fiction, Picture & Board Books
Tags: Black history, Caldecott, I-L Author, published 2007, slavery
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I love this book! Have you seen He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands and All God’s Critters? Both are illustrated by Kadir Nelson. I just love his work
on February 22nd, 2009 at 11:21 pmKadir Nelson is just brilliant. The librarian I work for LOVES him and does a lot of reading from his books. I’m currently working my way through We Are the Ship and it is tremendous.
on February 23rd, 2009 at 7:16 amI just reviewed this book as well and I was amazed by the illustrations. The story was good as well. It was such a fantastic book. I’m glad i bought this one.
The book fairy brought it with a bunch of others through Scholastic
on February 23rd, 2009 at 8:47 amIt sounds like an amazing story and book! Do you know if any other books are available about him besides this one?
on February 23rd, 2009 at 7:43 pmBecky – I haven’t! I’m going to have to check out more of his books. I just love his style.
Janssen – We Are the Ship is definitely on my TBR. I can’t wait to read it.
Jenn M. – I saw your review, now I just need to comment. Mine was a library copy. I must buy his books.
Ladytink_534 – You know, I’m not sure, I didn’t check. . . . Okay, just checked. According to Wikipedia, he did write his own autobiography entitled Narrative of the Life of Henry Box Brown. In 1997 he was the subject of a play called Henry Box Brown or the Mirror of Slavery.
on February 24th, 2009 at 12:07 am[...] a lot of his back titles to go through. The two that I have reviewed which he illustrated are Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story From the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford. I had him [...]
on September 26th, 2009 at 2:33 am