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

This is the story of a brave enslaved African American man who escapes slavery against all odds by using his wits and coming up with a successful plan despite the serious risks. Portrayals of Black characters are positive, as is the portrayal of the White abolitionist doctor who helps mail Henry in a wooden crate to some friends of the doctor's in Philadelphia.

A sick and dying man shown in his bed. Henry's wife and children are sold to another enslaver and he isn't reunited with them by the end of the book. Illustrations show Henry in cramped positions in a wooden crate as it's shipped from Richmond, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Parents need to know that Henry's Freedom Box, written by Ellen Levine and illustrated by Kadir Nelson, is based on a true story from the Underground Railroad and is as riveting as the strong, straightforward stare of the young boy on its cover. It may disturb younger readers, as it should, that during slavery, children were sold away from their families, and parents should be prepared to talk about this and the other harsh realities of Henry's life. An author's note at the end tells of the real Henry Brown and his Freedom Box.