I learned that Henry is a dreamer. I learned this because the text says, “Henry felt like singing.” I wonder why the author said this if Henry knew he wasn’t allowed to sing in the streets. Maybe the author wants to show us that Nancy made Henry very happy, that he dreamed of dancing in the streets. Or could it be that the author wants us to think that Henry is finally happy. On the other hand, perhaps the author wants us to introduce us to the love that Henry has for Nancy, because a few sentences later the author wrote, “Months later, Henry asked Nancy to be his wife.” Based on what I have read, Henry appears to be a dreamer, especially when it comes to love. 

In the text on page 1 it says “The little girl knew that the promise to red was finally hers.” I think the author included this piece because Trisha finally could start learning to read and was very excited about it. On the other hand, the author may have included this because she wanted to show us how scared Trisha was to learn how to read. Or it possibly was to show us that Trisha didn’t know how to feel about reading and learning to read. Based on what I have read I think that the author is foreshadowing that there will be a problem later in the story because everything seemed so perfect at the time.

I notice that in the start of the book Mrs.Jones comes across as really aggressive, For example, on pg 1 the author states “Then she reached down, picked the boy up by his shirt front, and shook him until his teeth rattled.” I wonder if the author put this part in here because he wanted to show how Mrs.Jones’s reaction was, and what she did to show how she felt about the situation. On the other hand perhaps, the author is trying to show how Mrs Jones is trying to protect herself from the “robber”, and she is willing to “shake him until his teeth rattle”. Or it could be that, Mrs.Jones is willing to make a child scared, other than just scolding the kid. Based on what I read, I think that Mrs.Jones can be an aggressive person but is just aggressive for her own protection.

I noticed that whenever Trisha mentions school (mostly reading) or when she reflects on herself, she is always thinking negatively about each topic. Trisha is always thinking things like, “School seemed harder and harder now. Reading was just plain torture.” and “She just knew she was dumb.” I wonder why the author put these thoughts in this passage. Maybe the author wants to show the reader that Trisha really just has nothing positive to say about herself or reading (school). On the other hand, perhaps the author is trying to tell us that Trisha has given up completely on herself and school and that she just doesn’t even want to try anymore. Or it could be that the author is trying to show that Trisha thinks that because she is a horrible reader, that she needs to think of herself as dumb. Based on what I read, Trisha appears to think very negatively about herself and school and will not change her mind. 

I notice that when the boy tries to steal her purse she grabs him and is really strict with him, because in the story it says “‘Pick up my pocketbook, boy and give it here.’” I wonder why the shout added this detail about Mrs.Jones. Maybe the author want to show us that Mrs.Jones is not messing around and just want to get home, also maybe she does not like kids. On the other hand, perhaps the author is showing that Mrs.Jones wants to teach the boy a lesson. Based on what I have read, Mrs.Jones might be a very nice lady for letting him come into her home and help him. 

The text states, “Henry’s master ad been good to Henry and his family. But Henry’s mother knew things could change. ‘Do you see those leaves blowing in the wind? They are torn from trees like slave children are torn from their families.’” I wonder why the author include that they leaves were just like children torn from there families. Maybe the author is trying to lead into something further into the story. On the other hand, perhaps the author is showing us that Henry does not think it is right to take people from there families. Or it could be that that the author is trying to show us that the mom does not think slavery is right. Based on what I read Henry seems to be a caring person.

From reading I know that Henry cared  and loved his family very much. So when Henry’s family is taken from him Henry “He could not think. He could not work.” Maybe the author included this because it shows how Henry reacts to losing his family. On the other hand maybe the author included this because it shows how much Henry’s family meant to him. Elan Lavine also wrote “Henry no longer sang. He couldn’t hum. He went to work and at night he ate supper and went to bed.” This is important to notice because this sentence shows us how heartbroken and hopeless Henry is. On the other hand the author may be trying to show us how much Henry thinks about his family each day and how different his life fells without them in his life.    

When Henry sees his wife and kids being dragged away he decides he wants to be free, he ends up being mailed but having doing so he needed an excuse to stay home, in the passage it says “James pointed at Henry’s sore finger. But Henry knew it wasn’t bad enough. He opened a bottle of vitriol. ‘No’ cried james Henry poured it on his hand It burned through skin to bone Now Henry would have to stay home” this might mean that Henry now will do anything to be free and is very persistent in that way. On the other hand this may also mean that henry is mourning his children and wife knowing that they would want him to be free. In conclusion I think that the author wanted to make the reader think that a)he was willing to do anything for freedomOr b) he wanted to make his family proud.

I think Mrs. Jones is caring. Even though she held the boy by his shirt, kicked him and “shook him until his teeth rattled” after he tried to steal her purse, she still said, “‘Um-hum! And your face is dirty. I got a great mind to wash your face for you. Ain’t you got nobody home to tell you to wash your face?’ 

‘No’m,’ said the boy.

‘Then it will get washed this evening.’ said the large woman starting up the street, dragging the frightened boy behind her.” Maybe the author included this in the text to show Mrs. Jones wasn’t the kind of person she looked like. Even though she was powerful and as the story says, large, she was actually just being kind. On the other hand, the author could have included this so the readers would have questions, and they can look for answers, because first, Mrs. Jones was dragging the boy along the street but then, she offered to wash his face for him. Another reason why the author may have wrote this to give a hint about the next events. I wondered where Mrs. Jones was going at first. When it said she would wash his face, it would give a clue where they were going.

From what I have read in the text, Mrs. Jones seems to be caring, although she seems aggressive and hostile.

I notice that Henry doesn’t know a lot of things people do know. “ Henry brown wasn’t sure how old he was. Henry was a slave. And slaves weren’t allowed to know their birthdays.” Maybe the author wants to show that Henry was very poor and was a slave. On the other hand, perhaps the author wanted the readers to know that Slaves didn’t have birthdays. Or it could be that the author is trying to show that things could change for a slave. Based on what I read, Henry appears to be an uneducated slave and doesn’t want to be freed, because he doesn’t want leave his mom.

I notice that Henry was very horrified when his family could be sold in the slave market, on pg.1 it said “Henry sat very still.” I wonder why the author showed something related to him being taken away from his mother.  Maybe the author wants to show that Henry doesn’t want the feeling of him being torn away from people he loves, again.  On the other hand, perhaps the author is showing us how he loves his family so much that nothing can separate them even though they could be separated.  Based on what I have read Henry loves his family to much, and doesn't want to be torn away from anyone he would do anything.

I noticed that when henry was a slave he was nor even allowed to know his birthday so no slave knew what what his or her birthday was. Henry's family worked at the big house and their slave owner was really nice but henry's mom knew that there was a better life out their and they could get to it if they tried. But his slave owner gave him away to his son and said that you are a good worker and you must obey him and never ever tell a lie. This could mean a worse life for henry. Henry did not like his knew boss and he said that every time you make a mistake you would be beaten really badly. What I wonder of henry is that he knows that there is a better life out there and he could not have to work for free and get beaten whenever he made a simple mistake. Henry got married to someone named nancy and they had children. One of his friends their at the factory named james told him that his wife and kids were sold to a slave market and never to be seen again. Henry said no he could not work and or move. Twist the tobacco shouted the boss poking henry. Henry had to lie to his boss by burning his hand to the bone and could not work so he got in the box and started mailing himself to the north.     

I noticed that when Henry thought he was going to finally have freedom, Henry reacts by

thinking. “Some slaves were feed by their owners. Henry’s heart beat fast. Maybe the master would set him free.” I wonder why the author included this detail about Henry-that wants to be free, Maybe the author wants to show us that Henry is really desperate to be set free, and not be a slave. On the other hand perhaps the author is showing use that Henry really wants to see what life is like, and what's the outside world like. Or it could be that the author is trying to show that Henry is nervous to see what it's like out in the world. Based on what I read, Henry appears to be very hopeful and determined to live a non slave life.

I notice when Henry’s master ships him to his son, to work for him and that he is a slave and that he must behave and I notice when he gets shipped to his masters sons house that “The boss yelled at the new boy. He poked the boy with a stick, If you made a mistake, the boss would beat you” [Pg.1]  and like I said this made me notice that his boss is a cruel as he thought also I notice that Henry is not happy until he meets Nancy because he would never hum or whistle but after he met Nancy he did both of those things...Based on what I read so far he seems very fulfilled but on the other hand his wife and 2 kids were just sold in the slave market so now he is grieving and  decides to ship himself to Philadelphia,DC to escape slavery and to see his friends again.Maybe the author wants us to see how hard it is to be a slave and how Henry was determine enough to escape and go to a land where you are free. Or perhaps the author is trying to show that, we should try our hardest to succeed and to always be truthful to one and other.But the main thing I saw in Henry is that he is thinking outside the box, caring, kind hearted, most outgoing character in this book because he was wiling to take risks even if he got caught.

I notice when people say something from there own opinion Henry always acts like he agrees with everything people say. The author made Henry react by thinking “Henry nodded but he didn’t say thank you. That would have been a lie.” I think wonder why the author included this specific detail about Henry- that he did not want to tell a lie to the master. Maybe the author wants us to know that Henry wants to get on the masters good side and not say anything bad to the master. On the other hand perhaps, the author is showing us that he does not like being rude by telling lies and messing up his words because he does not want to be rude. Or it could be that the author is trying to show that Henry is sad about something and is just feeling down because when people are down they do not talk alot. Based on what I have read, Henry is trying to be a nice person and he does not like the feeling of lying and making a fake response. 

I can see how Mrs. Jones reacts to Roger trying to steal her purse or pocketbook, “The large woman simply turned around and kicked him right in his blue-jeaned sitter.” Perhaps The author wanted us to know, that Mrs.Jones has decent reflexes and isn’t scared of just a little boy, but on the other hand, the author could have also included this because he wanted us to see how Mrs.Jones acts in one of these situations. Not soon after we see Mrs.Jones further punishing the boy for attempted theft, “Then she reached down, picked the boy up by his shirtfront, and shook him until his teeth rattled.” Maybe the author wanted to show how violent and mean Mrs.Jones is. Or could it be that the author is trying to show that Mrs.Jones is very negative towards thieves and is willing to fight them for attempting to take her belongings. Based on what I’ve read, Mrs.Jones Is Violent when she needs to be and simply doesn’t stand for thieves trying to take her stuff.

I notice that when Mrs.Jones almost got her purse robbed, she doesn’t freak out in the text her actions were “The large woman simply turned around and kicked him square in his blue-jeaned sitter. Then she reached down, picked the boy up by his shirt front, and shook him until his teeth rattled.” I wonder why this author included a lot of detail into how Mrs.Jones handled this attempt of robbing. Maybe the author wants to show us that Mrs.Jones was really angry at a person attempting to steal her precious belongings, since in the beginning the author did say that her purse had everything except a hammer and nails, so she just acted on her frustration.On the other hand, perhaps the author wanted to show us that maybe this happens to Mrs.Jones quite a bit because it said she simple turned around which isn’t really a normal behavior when you almost got robbed of your stuff.Or it could be that the author is trying to show that Mrs.Jones thinks it is okay to instead of talk things out at first she rather behave aggressively? Based on what I have read, Mrs.Jones is a tough and aggressive when people try to take her belongings.  

The quote I picked from Thank you, Mr.Falker on page 1 says, “Each day she saw the kids in the first grade across the hall reading, and before the year was over, some of the kids in her class began to read. Not Trisha.” This is important because without knowing the reason why Trisha is getting mad about reading because of the other kids reading and not her. If the author didn’t include this part we as readers wouldn’t know why Trisha is getting mad. I wonder if Trisha had good and trustworthy friends, if she wouldn’t get mad about other kids reading. On the other hand, if Trisha learned how to read would she feel bad for the kids that still couldn’t read, or would she stand up for the bullies. Trisha has a great growth mindset.

When I looked back into the text, I realized that Henry’s heart always seems to beat faster when he thinks about being set free. In the text on page 1 it states, “Some slaves were freed by their owners. Henry's heart beat fast.” Maybe the author included this part because Henry is excited to see the master again. Henry could be inspired by the thought of something good happening. On the other hand, Henry could be nervous thinking about why his master has called him and his mother to him. Wondering if things are good or bad. Though still, Henry’s sudden excitement could be from the sudden thought of being set free. Henry could be anxious and worried but waiting to go see the master. Many thoughts could be running through his head and they could be excited, nervous and a little bit of both. So what I am really trying to say is, with Henry, when it comes to being set free, or going to his master to hear what he has to say, Henry gets hopeful about possible ideas that run through his head.

I noticed that Henry is willing to do anything to be free after losing his family that now he is willing to do anything to get free I know this because in my passage it says “ He opened a bottle of oil of vitriol “No” James cried Henry poured it on his hand it burned his skin to the bone.” May be the author include this because she wanted to show how determined he was to be free so that he didn’t have to lose any more family.     

I noticed that when Henry’s master called him and his mother into his house and he said “You are a good worker. Henry, I am giving you to my son. You must obey him and never tell a lie”. Mabey the author wants to show us that Henry wasn’t really that happy when he had to go work for another person and be separated from his family and that Henry was not used to being separated from his family. Because Henry had worked with his family his whole life and now him being separated from them makes him feel nervous. On the other hand if Henry’s original master made his mom go with him to his son’s place so that they atleast have each other. Also when Henry got to his master’s sons place he would always be poked by a stick if he made a mistake. The boss would beat Henry if he didn’t do his job Henry was very lonely and didn’t have his family at all. Or it could be that the author is trying to show us that life as a slave wasn’t faire and that things didn’t go the way you want them to go. Also in the story the author tells us and shows us that Henry met a girl named Nancy and that they walked and talked together. So now that Henry met Nancy he isn’t lonely anymore. Based on what I have read Henry is a good kid with someone who cares for him and that doesn’t beat him. Henry may still be a slave but Henry is just a normal person with a family. 

On page 1 I notice that Henry is hopeful. The text stated, “Some slaves were freed by their owners. Henry’s heart beat fast. Maybe the master would set him free,” I wonder why Ellen Lavine included Henry’s thought. Maybe the author included this because, she wanted us to know that Henry wanted to leave. Or it could be that the author wanted to re-insure that Henry didn’t want to be a slave. On the other hand, maybe Henry was nervous because, his master had treated him so well that he did not want to leave. Based on what I have read, Henry appears to be hopeful.

In the text, I noticed that when the boy tried to rob her, she “simply turned round and kicked him right his blue-jeaned sitter.  Then she reached down, picked the boy up by his shirt front, and shook him until his teeth rattled.”  This led me to multiple possible conclusion the author wanted us to come to.  One possible idea is that she would rather deal with her problems herself, rather than call the police to report a robbery attempt.  This could mean she is independent.  However, it could also mean that she is simply violent.  On the other had, she may have gone through something like living on the streets and stealing herself, and she wants to change the boy‘s ways before it is too late.  But, overall, the fact that she kicked and shook him suggests that Mrs. Jones is tough.  My other ideas also contribute to that theme because, if she lived on the streets, she would be tough.  If she was violent, I would infer she is tough.  If she was independent, that would definitely mean Mrs. Jones is tough, because the weak rely on others, and the independant are strong and tough.  Therefore, Mrs. Jones is tough.

I noticed that Trisha's family members always read to her and brought home books. It states on page 1, “ The little girl knew that the promise to read was at her last. Soon she was going to learn to read. Trisha, the littlest girl in the family, grew up loving books. Her schoolteacher mother read to her every night. Her redhead brother brought his books home from school and shared them. And whenever she visited her family farm, her grandmother or grandfather read to her by the stone fireplace. “ The author wants to tell us that Trisha hasn't learned to read because it says “Soon she was going to learn to read.”  On the other hand, Trisha family has a big impact on her because they grew up loving books. I wonder now that she know that her family truly cares about reading that it will puss her to learn to read early and want to read more.  Based on what I read, I know that Trisha hasn't learned to read yet and her family love to read. 

I notice that when Henry saw a bird that is free, he reacts by thinking, “Free bird!  Happy bird!”  I wonder why the author included this detail about Henry, that he thinks a lot about things that are free, like that bird.  Maybe the author wants to show us that Henry feels happy for the bird, that he doesn’t feel jealous of the bird.  On the other hand, the author could be showing us that Henry is jealous of the bird, and wants the bird to feel like he does.  Or it could be that he just can’t stop wondering about things that are free, and wonders what it would be like.  Based on what I have read, Henry thinks a lot about things that are free and what it would be like to have that sort of freedom, instead of being forced to do things that he doesn’t want to do.

 

I notice that Leah is always riding her pony. On page 1, the author wrote, “The whole summer, Leah and her pony crossed through cloud-capped cornfields and chased cattle through the pasture.” The author also wrote, “Each day Leah loved to ride her pony into town just to hear Mr. B shout from the door of his grocery store, ‘That’s the finest pony in the whole county.’” Maybe the author included this to show that Leah is thankful about having her very own pony, so she is showing her thankfulness by riding her pony everyday. On the other hand, Leah could just be fun-loving and she just wants to have fun, so she’s always riding her pony. Otherwise, Leah could just wants to be motivated because she is observant by knowing that Mr. B. always saying,”’That’s the finest pony in the whole county.” From the reading, I know that Leah must really like her pony since she rides it any day.

I notice that Henry is hopeful to be free and not have to be a slave anymore. When his master calls him, the text says, “Henry’s heart beat fast. Maybe the master would set him free.” Maybe the author included this because it shows that Henry is hopeful to be set free because if his heart beat fast, it shows that Henry is hoping to be set free. Or it could be that the author wants to show us that Henry does not like his master, because he is ready to be set free, and he wants to get out. On the other hand, the author could be trying to hint at us that Henry is determined to not be a slave, which might be important later in the story. Based on what I have read, Henry seems to dislike being a slave and that he wants to be set free.

In the story Henry’s Freedom Box, I realized that Henry is very good at his job, but even if he makes a very small/tiny mistake, he would get beat by his boss. The author wrote, “He was good a his job...If you made a mistake, the boss would beat you.” Maybe the author included this because she wants us to know that even though Henry is good at his job, he makes mistakes. On the other hand, maybe the author included this because she wanted us to know that being a slave is hard and that Henry’s boss is cruel, unlike his old boss, and that Henry is not used to getting beat for making mistakes. Or maybe the author included this because she is trying to show us that slaves don't get appreciated, and that a lot of the bosses are cruel.

 I noticed that Henry is willing to do anything to be free because in my passage that I picked and it said “He opened a bottle of oil of Vito.” also it said, “Henry poured it on his hand it burned his skin to the bone.’’ this is important because he didn't want to be a slave. Maybe the author did that to show that slavery is bad but on the other hand, perhaps the author did it to show that Henry only didn’t because his wife and kids were taken away. I wonder why the author put in Henry burning himself so he could mail himself to freedom or it could could be that the author is showing that Henry will do whatever it takes to be free. Based on what I read, I think that Henry is loyal and hardworking and brave.

 I noticed that even through hard times he did his job right and wouldn’t upset his boss. “Henry worked hard all morning. He tried to forget what Nancy had said.”I wonder if the author included that so she could show that he worked hard even though something bad was happening. Maybe the author was showing us Henry was loyal to do his work, and would never break a slave rule. Or on the other hand, perhaps it was a way for him to take his mind off the bad stuff that might happen in the near future. Or it could be that the author is trying to show that Working hard and doing the job, makes time go by faster so he could try and see his wife and children one last time, before he might never see them again. Based on what I have read, It shows that Henry, even when the times are tough is still loyal to his boss and does his job, even though there was something bad happening.

I saw that in one of the paragraphs that henry was talking about how leaves, when they are torn off the tree, they are like slave children torn from there families. Why was he talking about? My thought of that was, Maybe the author was showing us a symbol of henry’s life as a slave. On the other hand, maybe he was showing us how his life was when he wasn’t a slave, with a family, a dad, a mom and not a master. Maybe it is a sign of how the age of slavery was. Another one was when he asked a girl named nancy to marry him and both of their masters agreed that they could marry each other. I was also thinking why did they put this in here. Maybe it was because the author wanted to show more understanding of how henry wanted his and maybe everyone’s lives to go. Or maybe all of this was to show the steps of how henry got free of slavery.

I noticed that the author includes Henry’s family getting sold at the slave market. “Your wife and children were just sold at the slave market.”(p.2) Henry’s reaction to this heartbreaking news were very emotional, “No! Cried Henry. When he wiped away his tears, Nancy, too, was gone.”(p.2) I wonder why the author decided to add these heartbreaking news-about Henry’s family getting sold? Maybe the author wants the reader to know that back during slavery people could get sold, and they had no choice. After the author decided to talk about Henry’s family getting sold with no choice, I noticed that the author mentioned a little bird, “Henry heard singing. A little bird flew out of a tree into the open sky. And Henry thought about being free.”(p.2) Based on what I read, the author wants the reader to know that the little bird is a symbol of hope and freedom.

In the story the main character is named Henry. After i reread my selected passage from the text, I have some ideas on Henry.

Henry is a slave and when the master called him and his mother upstairs i noticed that Henry reacted by thinking that the master was going to let him go i know this because the text says “Henry's heart beat fast. Maybe the master would set him free” I wonder why the author chose to make him react this way. Maybe the author wanted to hook the readers and make us think that he was going to be set free. Also this could be because Henry really wanted a chance at a normal life and he was just thinking of all the best possibilities. On the other hand it could be that the author was trying to let us know that Henry is a positive person. Based on this quote i think Henry appears to be hopeful with a positive outlook on life.

On page 1 we see that Henry is going through some though changes in his life. But then he meet Nancy and everything changed he felt so happy that he wanted to sing but slaves would not dare to sing as the book said. Even though he knew that, he just hummed his way back home. This shows that how happy he was to see someone who he liked for the first time and even happy for the first time in a while. Because of what happened and he had to get separated from his family. And even though Henry and Nancy had different masters they still stayed close and they had babies they were happy they even said they were lucky. Maybe the author wanted us to see this because they might be affected later on in the story maybe something bad happened or something good. Based on what I read I think that their family is going to impacted the story a hole lot more than I think.

I can see that Henry is happy, courageous, and joyful because he had just met someone new and he likes her. They had agreed to meet again witch gave a clue that he was happy. For example    ” Henry was lonely. One day he met Nancy, who was shopping for her mistress. The walked and talked and agreed to meet again. Henry felt like singing, but slaves didn’t dare sing in the streets, so he hummed all the way home.” On the other hand, I think the author included this perhaps to show us that he loves her. But when things like this happens, a lot of things go wrong after these kind of parts but Henry doesn’t know that is going to happen. So this shows that Henry is happy, courageous, and joyful.