I read
Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. This book was recognized as a Caldecott Honor book in 2008. This book is historical fiction and it is evident why because the main character, Henry, is a slave, and the book does a great job of portraying what life as a slave looked and felt like. The book starts out with Henry as a young boy, but when his family's master becomes ill Henry is sold to another master to roll tobacco. Henry's life changes when he meets a sweet girl named Nancy. They end up getting married and have children, and they even get to live together even though they have different masters. Nancy's master is having financial problems, so he sells Henry's wife and children before Henry could even say goodbye. After that, Henry comes up with the idea to mail himself to a place where he can be free. With help of others, and being tossed around in a box a bit, he finally makes it to Philadelphia where he is finally free. I would definitely use this book in my classroom because I think it introduces slavery in a new, yet truthful light. I think the appropriate grade level for this book would be first grade to high school. I think a great writing activity to do after reading this book would be for each child to imagine they were in Henry's spot, and to write their own ending to the story of how they would get to freedom. This activity would incorporate creativity, writing, and perspective.
I read Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. This book was recognized as a Caldecott Honor book in 2008. This book is historical fiction and it is evident why because the main character, Henry, is a slave, and the book does a great job of portraying what life as a slave looked and felt like. The book starts out with Henry as a young boy, but when his family's master becomes ill Henry is sold to another master to roll tobacco. Henry's life changes when he meets a sweet girl named Nancy. They end up getting married and have children, and they even get to live together even though they have different masters. Nancy's master is having financial problems, so he sells Henry's wife and children before Henry could even say goodbye. After that, Henry comes up with the idea to mail himself to a place where he can be free. With help of others, and being tossed around in a box a bit, he finally makes it to Philadelphia where he is finally free. I would definitely use this book in my classroom because I think it introduces slavery in a new, yet truthful light. I think the appropriate grade level for this book would be first grade to high school. I think a great writing activity to do after reading this book would be for each child to imagine they were in Henry's spot, and to write their own ending to the story of how they would get to freedom. This activity would incorporate creativity, writing, and perspective.
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