Born into slavery, Henry experiences the heartache of seeing his wife and children sold to other owners. Henry wants to live as a free man, but how can he get to a place where there are no slaves? One day, Henry has an idea. He will mail himself in a large wooden box from Richmond to Philadelphia. Two men help him into the box, nail on the cover, and then Henry's journey begins. The box travels on trains and a steamboat, and sometimes Henry is upside down or sideways, unable to move in the small box! After 27 hours, he arrives in Philadelphia and is helped out of his box. Henry is now a free man! The beautiful illustrations convey the story of this picture book.
Awards nominated: Bluestem 2011
Awards won: Caldecott Honor Book 2008
Date read: 6/17/2010
ISBN-10: 043977733X
ISBN-13: 9780439777339
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