Book Review -- Henry's Freedom Box (Module 1)

Kadir Nelson as Illustrator Picture Book Review
Henry’s Freedom Box

1. Bibliography

Levine, Ellen. HENRY’S FREEDOM BOX. Ill. by Kadir Nelson. New York: Scholastic Press, 2007. ISBN 0439428788

2. Plot Summary

This story recounts the childhood enslavement and eventual flight to freedom through the Underground Railroad system of a historical figure by the name of Henry Brown. The tone is very straight-forward and factual. Twice in his life, Henry Brown is separated from loved ones through the selling of himself or his slave family members to other slave masters. This occurred as a small child, when he was sold away from his mother, and then as an adult, when he watched his wife and children call out to him as they were sold and carried away from him. The pain of such great loss and sorrow eventually inspired Henry Brown to escape his enslavement through the historic Underground Railroad.

3. Critical Analysis

The narrative style is very direct. Truths about slavery and the pain inflicted upon the enslaved are stated without any embellishment. This makes the story about a serious subject all the more grave. If the author’s purpose was to make the readers of this book feel pain along with the main character, Henry Brown, it seems she likely succeeds in this endeavor. The book ends abruptly, leaving unanswered questions as to the fate of Brown's family, what his life might have been like as a free man, what further contributions he might have made to the cause of emancipation, and the like.

The illustrations by Kadir Nelson are highly realistic, varying from silent poses of people in thought to people moving in action. Some elements of the illustration style, though very colorful, are vaguely reminiscent of the lithographs or block drawings seen in history books where pictures from the nineteenth century or earlier are displayed. The infusion of bright colors, while hinting at a more primitive means of creating an image, give the story its remnants of history while creating images children can relate to in our current century.

The subject matter of this picture book is historical, but some information related in this story seems better suited for older children. For instance, the concept of being sold away from one’s family may be too disturbing and abstract for the mind of a very young child, whose limited life experience makes it difficult to adequately explain the many moral and historical implications of slavery. Levine’s style is so forthright that some unpleasant or horrific facts are stated without any preemptive explanation.

4. Review Exert(s)

Caldecott Honor Book

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY review: “Readers never learn about Henry's life as a free man—or, perhaps unavoidably, whether he was ever reunited with his family. Still, these powerful illustrations will make readers feel as if they have gained insight into a resourceful man and his extraordinary story.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “While some of the specifics are unfortunately questionable, this book solidly conveys the generalities of Henry Brown's story.”

5. Connections

This book seems most useful as a supplemental story for a study of the Underground Railroad in Social Studies.