Written by: Ellen Levine
Illustrated by: Kadir Nelson
Genre: historical fiction
Awards: ALSC Notable Children's Book Award 2008
Caldecott Honor 2008
IRA Notable Books for a Global Society 2008
Summary:
Henry longs for freedom; he's always known that something would change his life drastically and has waited for his time to come. He works in a tobacco factory, but he is happy at home with his wife and children. When his family is sold at the slave auction, Henry knows that it is time for him to take control of his life. With the help of Dr. Smith, a white abolitionist, Henry devises a plan to mail himself to freedom. He travels by steamboat and railroad car to establish himself as a free man. On March 30, 1849, Henry "Box" Brown celebrated his first day of freedom.
Teacher Evaluation:
This book is a great read-aloud option for all classrooms; it could be used to teach history or reading analyzation. I think this book would be best for third through fifth-grade classrooms. Since this book deals with slavery and the Underground Railroad, teachers could focus on the timeline of American history. Classes could discuss how slavery affects the lives of African Americans over time. This book could also be used to discuss characterization and what features make a well-rounded character. Students could also practice close reading with this book by completing gallery walks or conducting individual book clubs. I would use this book as a read aloud in a secondary ELA classroom as a short intro to multicultural literature. We would talk about how authors and readers are impacted by the cultural experiences depicted in stories.
No comments:
Post a Comment