Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story of the Underground Railroad
Written by Ellen Levine Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Scholastic Inc. ,2007
Written by Ellen Levine Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Scholastic Inc. ,2007
Picture Book, Biography K-5
Summary: Henry Brown grows up as a slave, not sure how old he is, for slaves were not allowed to know their birthdays. Growing up, Henry was able to live with his mother, brothers, and sisters, who all worked for the same master. One day his master called Henry to his bedroom and told him that he was giving Henry to his son. Henry then worked at in a tobacco factory, where he was beat if he made a mistake. One day, Henry met a slave girl in town named Nancy. Months later, Henry asked Nancy to be his wife. They had three children and were able to live together even though they had different masters. Still, Nancy was worried that their children would be sold. One day, Henry's friend James told him that his wife and children had been sold. Henry was devastated. At lunch, Henry rushed to the center of town where he saw his children and wife disappear down the road. Henry tried his best to be happy, but he just could not find a reason to sing like he used to. One day, when Henry was watching a little bird, he wondered what it would be like to be free. He then knew the answer as he lifted a crate! Henry went to Dr. Smith and his friend James who sealed him inside the crate. Dr. Smith addressed the crate to Philadephia, where slaves are free. Henry was then placed on the baggage car of a train. Hours passed and Henry was lifted and thrown down, and turned upside down. Soon he was on a ship and his crate was turned upright for two men to sit on! Still, he did not make a noise. Soon, Henry heard knocking on his crate and someone saying,"Henry, are you all right?" When he stood out of the crate, four men smiled at him, saying "Welcome to Philadephia."
Response: Wow! I did not know about Henry "Box" Brown and this is a wonderful story! I believe that this book conveys the devastation and harshness and cruelity of slavery in the aspect of families of being torn apart. I can not even begin to feel the loss and sorrow that one must have felt due to this separation.
I believe that this book does a great job creating a main character, Henry, and developing him so that children care about him and want to learn more. The fact that the book begins when he is a young child provides a way for children to relate. Henry introduces the idea of children and slavery. Henry is developed so that he is an authentic, believable human being. The illustrations make Henry and his situation seem so real! The illustrator, Kadir Nelson says that he wishes to share essential human truths in his artwork. In Nelson's interview, he says that he also wishes for everyone to understand the different emotions we have and connect them to the characters as well as ourselves. This is very true in the story of Henry. As a young boy, the emotions that are expressed are worry and sadness as he is a slave child being separted from his mother. Actually, a character does not smile at all until Henry meets Nancy, his wife. One very close-up painting of Henry shows emotion of concentration and determination, as he is working and trying not to think about his wife and children being sold. This determination is also displayed as he carries out his plan to be sent North in a crate. Henry smiles when he arrives safe and unharmed to Philadephia! The paintings are doube spread and cover each page. The text is integrated into the painting, which contain much detail.
This biography also reflects careful research about Henry Brown, for the book includes a bibliography that lists sources and an author's note that provides more information about slavery in the mid-1800s as well as information about the Underground Railoroad.
Teaching Ideas: Students can read on their own about Henry Brown and see how this compares to the story. Did they learn anyting new? When I did more research, I found out that Henry's wife Nancy and children were sold to another slave owner who sent them to North Carolina. As Nancy was shackled to other adult slaves, and with their children loaded in a wagon, Henry walked hand-in-hand with her for a few miles. This is heartbreaking!
Students may also learn that the name of the man who helped him was Dr. Samuel Smith and that Henry spent at least two hours on his head and almost lost consciousness. His trip was between 24-27 hours. Students can just imagine staying in a crate for this long amount of time!
Summary: Henry Brown grows up as a slave, not sure how old he is, for slaves were not allowed to know their birthdays. Growing up, Henry was able to live with his mother, brothers, and sisters, who all worked for the same master. One day his master called Henry to his bedroom and told him that he was giving Henry to his son. Henry then worked at in a tobacco factory, where he was beat if he made a mistake. One day, Henry met a slave girl in town named Nancy. Months later, Henry asked Nancy to be his wife. They had three children and were able to live together even though they had different masters. Still, Nancy was worried that their children would be sold. One day, Henry's friend James told him that his wife and children had been sold. Henry was devastated. At lunch, Henry rushed to the center of town where he saw his children and wife disappear down the road. Henry tried his best to be happy, but he just could not find a reason to sing like he used to. One day, when Henry was watching a little bird, he wondered what it would be like to be free. He then knew the answer as he lifted a crate! Henry went to Dr. Smith and his friend James who sealed him inside the crate. Dr. Smith addressed the crate to Philadephia, where slaves are free. Henry was then placed on the baggage car of a train. Hours passed and Henry was lifted and thrown down, and turned upside down. Soon he was on a ship and his crate was turned upright for two men to sit on! Still, he did not make a noise. Soon, Henry heard knocking on his crate and someone saying,"Henry, are you all right?" When he stood out of the crate, four men smiled at him, saying "Welcome to Philadephia."
Response: Wow! I did not know about Henry "Box" Brown and this is a wonderful story! I believe that this book conveys the devastation and harshness and cruelity of slavery in the aspect of families of being torn apart. I can not even begin to feel the loss and sorrow that one must have felt due to this separation.
I believe that this book does a great job creating a main character, Henry, and developing him so that children care about him and want to learn more. The fact that the book begins when he is a young child provides a way for children to relate. Henry introduces the idea of children and slavery. Henry is developed so that he is an authentic, believable human being. The illustrations make Henry and his situation seem so real! The illustrator, Kadir Nelson says that he wishes to share essential human truths in his artwork. In Nelson's interview, he says that he also wishes for everyone to understand the different emotions we have and connect them to the characters as well as ourselves. This is very true in the story of Henry. As a young boy, the emotions that are expressed are worry and sadness as he is a slave child being separted from his mother. Actually, a character does not smile at all until Henry meets Nancy, his wife. One very close-up painting of Henry shows emotion of concentration and determination, as he is working and trying not to think about his wife and children being sold. This determination is also displayed as he carries out his plan to be sent North in a crate. Henry smiles when he arrives safe and unharmed to Philadephia! The paintings are doube spread and cover each page. The text is integrated into the painting, which contain much detail.
This biography also reflects careful research about Henry Brown, for the book includes a bibliography that lists sources and an author's note that provides more information about slavery in the mid-1800s as well as information about the Underground Railoroad.
Teaching Ideas: Students can read on their own about Henry Brown and see how this compares to the story. Did they learn anyting new? When I did more research, I found out that Henry's wife Nancy and children were sold to another slave owner who sent them to North Carolina. As Nancy was shackled to other adult slaves, and with their children loaded in a wagon, Henry walked hand-in-hand with her for a few miles. This is heartbreaking!
Students may also learn that the name of the man who helped him was Dr. Samuel Smith and that Henry spent at least two hours on his head and almost lost consciousness. His trip was between 24-27 hours. Students can just imagine staying in a crate for this long amount of time!
Students can also read Henry Brown's narrative as they are researching more about this hero.
The Underground Railroad is a major part of Henry Brown's story. Students need to understand what the Underground Railroad was-that it was not really a railroad underground. The national geographic website provides an interactive underground railroad journey for students as they travel to freedom. Harriet Tubman is the leader on the journey. Students are taken to different towns, travel through swamps and over mountains, and meet those who provided safe house for slaves such as Thomas Garrett, William Still, Frederick Douglas, and Susan B. Anothony. Students finally make it to Canada and are free!! The teacher can also read the book Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People To Freedom. This book provides insight into Harriet Tubman's life and her sacrifice and bravery.
Bio-Poem:
Henry
Determined, courageous, filled with sorrow and hope.
Husband of another slave named Nancy and father of three wonderful children.
Lover of my family and the hope for freedom and equality.
Who feels worry, fear, love, and hope all at the same time.
Who finds happiness in the laughter of my children, the kiss of my wife, the thought of being free.
Who needs to feel my family's love to get through each day and the joy of being together.
Who gives all I can to a job I do not enjoy but must twist tobacco, for it is my duty as a slave.
Who fears the possibility that my family may be sold, that we will be separated, never to share a life love and laughter.
Who would like to see slavery abolished, where slaves will no longer be slaves, but free people with equal rights to life and opportunties.
Who enjoys giggling with my children, teasing my best friend James, and playing my banjo.
Who likes to wear overalls and a soft shirt when I play and dance with my children.
Resident of Richmond, Virginia, of the United States.
"Box" Brown
No comments:
Post a Comment