BOX: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom

"BOX: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom" encapsulates the extraordinary journey of Henry Brown, a man who turned his despair into a daring escape from slavery. Published on April 14, 2020, and a Newbery Honor recipient, this lyrical narrative, crafted by a New York Times best-selling author and enriched with vivid illustrations by Michele Wood, delves deep into the resilience and ingenuity required to sever the chains of bondage. Henry's life, marked by painful separations and unfulfilled promises, finds a glimmer of hope through the Underground Railroad. His audacious plan to mail himself to freedom in a wooden box symbolizes the immense risks enslaved people took to reclaim their autonomy. Ideal for middle school readers, this book not only recounts a pivotal moment in racial justice but also uses the structure of its stanzas—each line representing one side of the box—to mirror the confinement Henry endured and overcame. This powerful story invites young readers to reflect on the past and inspires them to consider their own roles in the ongoing fight for justice.