Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

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Henry's Freedom Box
by Ellen Levine

This was a book talk book the librarians at one of my local library talk about to elementary school kids before the summer reading program. It crossed my path one day when I was working in the library, so I decided to give it a read.

It surprised me! From the cover and the story concept (a slave mails himself in a box to a state where there isn't slavery) and the fact that it was for children, I thought that Henry was a child when this happened. But, I was completely wrong. This book explained slavery in simple terms children could understand. It actually looks at things like how slaves could have families. But it also shows how Henry grew up, had a family, and lost them. The scene where his family is sold was shocking and painful. Just the thought of a grown adult (as opposed to a small child) choosing to mail himself in a small box all the way to Philly (days) is so much more amazing. His suffering and courage really come through loud and clear.