Picture Book # 25

Henry’s Freedom Box

1.      Title- Henry’s Freedom Box

2.      Author- Ellen Levine

3.      Illustrator- Kadir Nelson

4.      Genre- Children’s Picture Book

5.      Subgenre- Autobiography Multicultural and biography

6.      Theme- Slavery, Families, African American History, Determination, and Perseverance

7.      Primary and secondary characters- Henry

8.      Award(s) date of publication-2007 Won the Caldecott Honor Award

9.      Publishing company- Scholastic Press

10.  Brief summary and how you would use the book, with students.

                This is a great story about a little boy growing up wanting to become free. This little boy Henry and his mom lived with this nice slave owner. One day the owner became ill all of a sudden. The owner asked both his mom and Henry to come by his bed side. Henry was thinking he was going to become free since they have done such a good job. Come to find out he was splitting him up and giving Henry to his son. Henry was sad! He did not want to leave him mother. Henry lived with his new owner and over time grew up wanting a family. Henry wanted to marry his sweetheart from another farm. The owners allowed it and they became a family and had kids. One day Henry's owner went broke. So he sold his wife and kids to get money. Henry was tried of being broke up and having things taken away. With the help of the Dr. he shipped his self to freedom. This is a great book. I would love to use this book during African American Month. I would get my student to  write a story of how they would feel if they where in Henry's situtation? I just love this book! It is sad but I love it!