E. Levine
40 p.
Age – 4 -8 years
This story tells of the amazing and courageous escape to freedom by slave born, Henry “Box” Brown. As a young child, Henry is sold by his master and painfully separated from his parents and family. After enduring loneliness and hardship as an adult, Henry meets and marries Nancy. But once again suffers a tragic separation from his family when his wife and young children are sold off while Henry is at work one day. Sad and desperate, Henry devises a plan to escape from slavery. With the help of a local doctor, he is enclosed and nailed shut into a wooden crate and shipped from Richmond, Virginia to Philadelphia. Henry spends 27 hours trapped in the box but gains his freedom, becoming one of the most famous runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad.
Interesting Points – Not only is this story poignantly told, but its illustrations are beautiful. During one point of the story, I was literally brought to tears while trying to read it to my 2nd grade class. I had to pause in order to compose myself. And although Henry does gain his freedom, the story does not tell of him reuniting with his family, which spurs another important aspect and discussion regarding slavery and the fight for freedom.
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