NCSS Notable Trade Book Lesson Plan Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad Written by Ellen Levine

Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad recounts the remarkable story of a Richmond slave who shipped himself in a wooden crate to Philadelphia to escape slavery in the south. After participating in a pre-reading activity designed to enhance critical thinking skills, students will read not only the notable trade book, but also other versions of Henry’s narrative. Students will use and will evaluate alternative sources. Students also will analyze illustrations, comparing and contrasting the interpretation of this historical event. A data retrieval chart and culminating discussion will allow students to detect source variation, to evaluate how critical the differences are between sources, and to determine which sources are credible.