2008 Notable Books for Children

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

by Ellen Levine is a 2008 Notable Books for Children book that deals with bravery and the strength of the human spirit. This book is based on the true accounts of a runaway slave from Virginia named Henry Brown. The story begins with a picture of Henry sitting on top of a wooden barrel. He didn't know how old he was because slaves were never allowed to know their birthdays. One day his mother explained to him that many children were torn away from their families and that it might happen to them. Henry longed to be free so when their sickly master called him and his mother to come to his bedside he was hoping to be set free. To his discontent, his master told him he was giving him to his son. He was now experiencing what his mother so warned him about. The dreadful day had come and he was being torn away from his family. As he grew up, he married and once again his wife and children were torn away from him. They were sold at the slave market. Determined to be free he enlisted the help of a local doctor who was opposed to slavery. With his help, he was put inside a wooden crate and mailed out to some of the doctors friends. After 27 days he had finally arrived in Philadelphia. Not only was it his first day of freedom but now Henry had a birthday, March 30, 1849.

The story is richly enhanced by the watercolor, oil, and pencil illustrations. This is a personal account of the injustices of slavery and will help young readers understand the concept of slavery. I was practically in tears as I was reading.