Henry's Freedom Box

Henry's Freedom Box is a true and honest tale about Henry “Box” Brown who mailed himself to freedom. The text and the illustrations complement each other and tell not just Henry’s story, but the story of all slaves. This book could be used in a study during Black History month or a social studies piece on the Civil War or the Underground Railroad.

How Can I Use this Book in My Classroom?

The most obvious reason to use Henry's Freedom Box in your classroom would be to teach students about what slavery was like during this difficult time in history. Henry's Freedom Box could also be used to teach important plot elements, character traits, and theme. Comparing this historical fiction text with a real account of Henry "Box" Brown would be a great way to introduce paired texts to students. Reading this book in the beginning of the year, could lead to numerous teaching points that extend throughout the whole school year.

Teachers looking to use this book for more in depth teaching points should visit Scholastic for more discussion ideas: Scholastic Teaching Guide.