Henry's Freedom Box (multicultural)

Henry's Freedom Box
By: Ellen Levine

This book is about an African American slave and his life in slavery, as well as his escape. Henry Brown's master was ill, and instead of freeing Henry like other masters did with their slaves, he gave him to his son. Henry married Nancy, and had children, even though they had different masters. His wife and children were sold at the slave market. Henry planned his escape, he mailed himself to a place were they had no slaves. He was sent to William Johnson, were he found his freedom. March 30, 1849 was his first day of freedom, his first birthday, since he never had one.

Not only is this book considered multicultural because of its depiction of events that happened to minorities in this country, it is also considered Historical fiction, because it is based in historical facts that depict a character that could be real. The theme is escape and freedom, as well as the unfairness of slavery. The setting is Pre-Cival War America, presumably the South, when slavery was still legal. The plot is the life and escape of Henry, a slave. The main charcter is, of course, Henry Brown, who does not know his age, because slaves do not know their birthdays.

The illustrations in this book, use representational art, and the media and technique is paint, probably water colors by the look of the paint colors and highlights. It uses muted tones of mostly browns, greys, greens, and other dull colors. This was probably to set the mood, which is very serious. The art adds to the mood of the book, it tells about the somber events that takes place in this young boy to man's life, and his escape. Each picture tells that part of the story through the images.

Some great activities for classroom when reading this particular book would be to make a bubble chart of Henry's character traits. The other would be a prequal to the story. This would be an idea of bringing in a box, and having the kids put their ideas of what a freedom box could mean or hold. Place their ideas on paper into the box. At the end have them write their ideas after reading the story. What changed, what didn't change? Have them write their finding in an essay and share with the class.

Resources:

Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2010). Literature and the child (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworths, Inc.

Levine, E. (2017). Henry's Freedom Box. New York. Scholastic Press.