Written by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Michele Wood
Powerful, poetic and extraordinary! A true account written in poetic form from the life of Henry “Box” Brown. The poetic format effectively adds emotion to the difficult and cruel topic of slavery. Each page has two or three stanzas that cover brutality, fear, being sold, the splitting up of his family, abuse, courage, freedom, the Underground Railroad, and more. Even though his experiences are written as poems, the story flows together as you learn about Henry’s experiences and how he literally mailed himself in a wooden box to freedom. The illustrations are unique. While not realistic in nature, they bring to life the emotion of his story and show his suffering, his love of family, his gratitude, and his unconquerable spirit. The book ends with, “Freedom is fragile. Handle with Care.” Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom shows human resilience at its finest!
Reviewed by Heidi Reed, Media Clerk, Morningside Elementary
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4-8
Author Website: https://cbweatherford.com/
Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom
Written by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Michele Wood
Candlewick Press
56 pages
Release Date: April 14, 2020
ISBN: 9780763691561
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
