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ENCHANTED STORIES: Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom

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Written by: Carole Boston Weatherfore
Illustrated by: Michele Wood
Candlewick Press, 2020. Biography.

This is the story of how Henry Brown escaped slavery by mailing himself, in a box, to freedom. Henry was born into slavery and was passed down to different owners throughout his life as property. He watched as everything he valued in life was taken away from him and when he finally decided he had nothing else to loose he took a chance and laid the plans for his escape. 

This retelling of the story of Henry Brown is creative and powerful. Wood has created paintings that have a folk art feel with rich colors from the 1800's era. The characters  are full of emotion and they seem to look directly at you as if they are asking to be seen and remembered. With beautiful illustrations and short effective poetry we are told the story of Henry Browns life from a child to an adult and what drove Henry to break the bonds of slavery. A story that will inspire older readers and help them understand the strength and determination necessary to pursue ones dreams.
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