Title: Henry’s Freedom Box

Author: Ellen Levine

Genre: Historical fiction

Summary: Henry was a slave, and as a slave you weren’t allowed to know your birthday. Henry’s master was good to him and his family.  Unfortunately, his master was very ill so he gave Henry to his son. If you made a mistake he would beat you. Henry found his wife, Nancy, and both of their masters agreed them to get married. They had a baby. Nancy’s master lost a lot of money and sold Nancy and their kids. Henry was so upset he knew that he would never see his family again. Henry mailed himself to his friends in Philadelphia in a box. March 30th, 1849, was the day he arrived and his first day of freedom.

Review: This book made me upset to imagine that humans were actually treated this way. I could never imagine people selling my family away and never seeing them again. It was written well and the illustrations were awesome!

Content Area Connection:

Social Studies: This book goes back in history when slaves were around. It explains the daily life and feeling of the slaves.