Henrys freedom box is based on the true story of henry browns creative and courageous journey to freedom. Henrys freedom box youtube with images henrys freedom. Henry box brown was one of the underground railroad s most famous runaways, but his story is an unfamiliar one for many modern students. Thanks to nelson s ellington was not a street penetrating portraits, readers will feel. Levine tells the true story of henry brown, a slave who came up with the ingenious idea to escape slavery by traveling from virginia to pennsylvania in a wooden box.
All the time he dreams about freedom, but that dream seems farther away than ever when he is torn from his family and put to work in a warehouse. Feb 05, 2018 henry s freedom box by ellen levine black history book a stirring, dramatic story of a slave who mails himself to freedom by a jane addams peace awardwinning author and a coretta scott king. Henry grows up and marries, but he is again devastated when his family is sold at the slave market. The book, by the same author as henrys freedom box, is a nonfiction text written in an engaging questionandanswer format. Edit the description on the pin to tell how the resource could be used. He was a runaway slave that mailed himself in a wooden box to philadelphia, in the us mail. A set of 11 short answer, multilayered comprehension questions, 6 project challenges, and a picture comparison activity to go with the book, henrys freedom box, by ellen levine. Aug 12, 2016 each 3336 course member should pin one resource that could be used in conjunction with this book. In this underground railroad lesson, students read the story henrys freedom box and discuss the plot, settings and characters. After an arduous journey in the crate, henry finally has a birthday his first day of freedom.
A fictionalized account of how in 1849 a virginia slave, henry box brown, escapes to freedom by shipping himself in a wooden crate from richmond to philadelphia. Ellington was not a street by ntozake shange won the coretta scott king award. Henry s freedom box ellen levine narrators 17, master, nancy, henry, james, dr. Henry s freedom box is a tale based upon a true story of a slave s escape to freedom. This is a comprehension quiz designed for 3rd and 4th graders based. Henrys freedom box kindle edition by levine, ellen, nelson. You may use the story as a guide or learn more about henry box brown by clicking on the blue button bellow. In 1849, a few months after his wife and children were sold away, henry decided he was through with being a slave. But when his family is sold, he risks everything for what he knows is right. Include a headline, a picture, and several facts about henrys journey.
The book was published in 2007 and a decade later this childrens book still conveys a message more relevant than ever. Henrys freedom box study guide by bookit repertory. If youve read the book henrys freedom box, you know that its a must for. Playwright mike wiley wrote a oneman show about the life of henry box brown entitled one noble journey. Henrys freedom box, written by ellen levine and illustrated by kadir nelson, will change that.
Henrys freedom box, book by ellen levine hardcover. Click here for reading level, lessonactivity ideas, details. Feb 10, 2017 henrys freedom box is a historical nonfiction childrens picture book that tells the story of henry box brown escaping slavery by mailing himself to freedom. Henrys freedom box is the emotional story of a boy born into slavery. Henry s freedom box by ellen levine hardcover book the parent store. This book would be perfect for a unit on the undergroun. Comprehension trifold for the book henry s freedom box by. Henrys freedom box by ellen levine and kadir nelson. Thanks to nelsons ellington was not a street penetrating portraits, readers will feel. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Henrys freedom box is the emotional story of a boy born into slavery and his unconventional escape to freedom. Torn from his mother as a child, and then forcibly separated from his wife and children as an adult, a heartsick and desperate brown conspired with abolitionists and successfully traveled north to philadelphia in a packing crate. Encourage students to read the book and compare how information is presented in the two books. Based on the life of henry brown, the book tells the story of a slave. Henry does not know his birthday, he is torn apart from his family, and in desperation, he sets out on a brave quest for freedom.
Levine freedom s children recounts the true story of henry brown, a slave who mailed himself to freedom. Henrys freedom box vocabulary worksheet answers printable during instruction this lesson uses the book as a starting point for a social studies unit on slavery and the underground railroad. For readers who have some knowledge of this time in history, this is an excellent selection for. Create a front page article of a philadelphia newspaper the day that henry was mailed safely to his freedom. Bryan walls precipitating factor that motivated browns escape. Henrys freedom box is an awardwinning childrens book about an escape from slavery. Henry s freedom box kindle edition by levine, ellen, nelson, kadir. A true story from the underground railroad by ellen levine, illustrated by kadir nelson and published by scholastic press in 2007, the main character expresses the urge to find his freedom. This is a great book to teach young children about slavery. Kadir nelson a fictionalized account of how in 1849 a virginia slave, henry box brown, escapes to freedom by shipping himself in a wooden crate from richmond to philadelphia.
Henrys freedom box kindle edition by levine, ellen, nelson, kadir. Henry box brown was one of the underground railroads most famous runaways, but his story is an unfamiliar one for many modern students. Black history month activitiesupdated with vocabulary, word search, problem and solution graphic organizer. Henrys freedom box is the poignant, harrowing and true story of henry brown, an african american slave, who in the midnineteenth century escaped slavery by mailing himself to freedom. After an arduous journey in the crate, henry finally has a birthday, his first day of freedom. Inspirational in its simplicity, henry s freedom box tells a moving story of one individual s strength of spirit. Henry traveled 350 miles in a large box, sometimes upside down and. See more ideas about henrys freedom box, freedom and underground railroad. Henry box brown black history month by caras creative playground. Henrys freedom box kindle edition by levine, ellen. Henry and his brothers and sisters worked in the big house where themaster lived. Ellen levines henrys freedom box is a book that tugs at all of ones emotions.
Reading to kids is a grassroots organization dedicated to inspiring underserved children with a love of reading, thereby enriching their lives and opportunities for future success. As a public figure and fugitive slave, brown felt extremely endangered by. A true story from the underground railroad from the worlds largest community of readers. I first read about henry box brown in william stills 1872 book, the. Tell the student to pay close attention to the struggles of henry and what the causes and effect of the struggles. Jan 07, 2011 henrys freedom box by ellen levine and illustrated by kadir nelson is the true story of henry brown, a slave who mailed himself to freedom through the underground railroad. It also poignantly presents the heartwrenching sorrow of families torn apart, and the powerlessness of the enslaved. Levine freedoms children recounts the true story of henry brown, a slave who mailed himself to freedom.
Ellen levine reads aloud from henrys freedom box, an imaginative story of how henry gains freedom. Henrys freedom box was a story selection for the childrens picture book. This henrys freedom box lesson plan is suitable for 2nd 5th grade. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading henry s freedom box. Buy henrys freedom box book online at best prices in india on. Henrys freedom box is a tale based upon a true story of a slaves escape to freedom. Henrys freedom box a book study and mini unit about henry. Drawing from an actual historical account, ellen levine details some of the hardships. The story authored by ellen levine succesfully traces brown s early life to his ultimate escape to freedom at the age thirtythree.
Henry s freedom box, written by ellen levine and illustrated by kadir nelson, will change that. It s a picture book that chronicles the life of henry box brown. Torn from his mother as a child, and then forcibly separated from his wife and children as an adult, a heartsick and desperate brown conspired with abolitionists and. Henry box brown black history month if youve read the book henry s freedom box, you know that it s a must for black history month. Explore this audiobook discover epic childrens books. Buy the hardcover book henrys freedom box by ellen levine at indigo. I like this book because it is cool that he mailed himself to freedom. Henry box brown is the subject of a 2012 film, box brown, by director rob underhill.
Students explore the civil war by reading a childrens book in class. The illustrations are wonderful, especially the pictures of henry in the box while on the boat. Buy the hardcover book henry s freedom box by ellen levine at indigo. Henrys freedom box in about a boy who grows up in a culture and environment of slavery. The story of henry box brown 2012, illustrated by sean qualls. See more ideas about henrys freedom box, social studies, underground railroad. After the introduction, each student should receive a copy of henrys freedom box so the students can follow along during shared reading. Students will use henrys freedom box by ellen levine to identify new information about slavery and the underground railroad, and make connections with story and new info teachers lessons and ideas. Henrys freedom box book east lansing public library. Then one day, as he lifts a crate at the warehouse, he knows exactly what he must do.
Henrys freedom box written by ellen levine and illustrated by kadir nelson is a historical fiction book. This book is based on the true story of henry brown, a slave who mailed himself to freedom. Grade 25inspired by an actual 1830s lithograph, this beautifully crafted picture book briefly relates the story of henry box browns daring escape from slavery. Reading and writing connection write a play script. Henry box brown a true story from the underground railroad illustrated by kadir nelson, written by ellen levine. Henrys freedom box a caldecott honor is the true story of a slave who mailed himself. Kadir nelson illustrated two caldecott honor books. Challenge students to turn the story of henry s freedom box into a short play. Heartrending but hopeful, true story of slave boys escape.
With the strength and conviction of the best kind of hero, henry makes a harrowing journey in a wooden crate and mails himself to freedom. The book, by the same author as henry s freedom box, is a nonfiction text written in an engaging questionandanswer format. Henry box brown was born enslaved in louisa county, virginia in 1815. Henrys freedom box by ellen levine hardcover book the. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading henrys freedom box. Henrys freedom box read aloud with ellen levine scholastic. A true story from the underground railroad henrys freedom box. The book does not try to sugarcoat slavery but it also stays away from details that might not be understood by a child. Henrys freedom box by ellen levine childrens books read.
A true story from the underground railroad hardcover january 1, 2007 by ellen levine author. This is a comprehension quiz designed for 3rd and 4th graders based on the book by ellen levine and kadir nelson. Henry dreams of a world where his life belongs to him. Henrys freedom box ellen levine narrators 17, master, nancy, henry, james, dr. Kadir nelson henry brown wasnt sure how old he was. In henry freedom s box this unbelievable but daring true story is brought to life. A stirring, dramatic story of a slave who mails himself to freedom by a jane addams peace awardwinning author and a coretta scott king awardwinning artist. Will smiths just the two of us won an naacp image award, and his new book, we are the ship continues to garner major awards. Buy henrys freedom box book online at low prices in india. Drawing from an actual historical account, ellen levine details some of the hardships and heartbreaks of slavery, and the creative resiliency of henry box brown, a man who mailed himself to freedom. Nelson showed artistic talent at age 3 and began working. No more slave work for henry box brown, in the box by express he did go, in the box by express he did go. An adorable craft and writing activity that i have included different writing options pages for. Smith, mother, passenger 1, passenger 2, william still, railroad workers all.
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