Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad

Henry's Freedom Box | Historical Fiction | Ellen Levine | Coretta Scott King; Caldecott Medal; Jane Addams Peace Award; Notable Children's Books | ages 5-9 |

Henry, a young boy who is a slave dreams of freedom. When his boss gets sick, Henry is separated from his family and becomes someone else's slave. Henry grows up, marries, and has children of his own. When his wife's master loses money, he sells Henry's wife and their sons, leaving Henry alone once again. Soon though, he gets the idea that'll give him freedom. Henry will ship himself in a box to Philadelphia where he will be free. 

I think this book is a great introduction to children grades preschool to third grade and talk about a crucial part of American history. They get to see a glimpse of life as a slavery with honesty truth. I think this book can help and I would use this book in my class to discuss with children empathy and compassion, justice, and right vs wrong.