Book Review – ELIJAH OF BUXTON
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Curtis, Christopher Paul. 2007. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 978-0439023443
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Young Elijah is the first child born free in the town of Buxton, a settlement of runaway slaves across the border in Canada. We first learn about the community he lives in and his family members. Elijah’s a sensitive boy, described as being fragile because he is a bit gullible and cries easily. He also had a unique encounter with Frederick Douglass when he was a baby! When his friend, Mr. Leroy, saves enough money to buy his family out of captivity in the American south, tragedy strikes in the form a former slave preacher who steals the money and escapes to Michigan. Now it’s up to young Eli to help get it back! After Mr. Leroy sadly dies of a heart attack, he finds a group of captured slaves and the preacher, also dead. It’s a race back to the border to bring the group’s young baby to safety in Buxton. Elijah even makes his peace with Mr. Douglass on the journey back (with the baby’s help)!
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is an interesting story set in a period of time that is important, yet not widely known. What happened to the former slaves that did escape to the north? It covers a wide array of emotions, from capturing daily life for the first child born free in Buxton to giving young readers what might be their first description of what it was like to live in slavery. The story does not water down or sugar coat the issue of slavery and the desperate need to escape, and offers an uplifting ending. Young readers will see a lot of themselves in young Elijah, with all of the faults and insecurities. He comes across as a real boy, yearning to grow up and be a hero. The author has a great feel for writing dialogue and capturing an authentic feel of the era. Elijah of Buxton also features an interesting author’s note where Christopher Paul Curtis describes what Buxton means to him and what it meant to the freed slaves. “Buxton is an inspiration, and its importance in both American and Canadian history deserves to be much more recognized. I feel so honored to have been able to set my novel is such a beautiful place”. There is also a set of 15 Literature Circle questions that are matched to Bloom’s Taxonomy, along with a list of suggested activities. This is a great work of historical fiction that offers a lot of truth to young readers, and an appreciation of the freedom that they enjoy every day.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in BOOKLIST: “Many readers drawn to the book by humor will find themselves at times on the edges of their seats in suspense and, at other moments, moved to tears. A fine, original novel from a gifted storyteller.”
Reviewed in THE NEW YORK TIMES: “His latest book is another natural award candidate and makes an excellent case, in a story positively brimming with both truth and sense, for the ability of historical fiction to bring history to life.”
Newbery Honor Book
Coretta Scott King Award
Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction Winner
5. CONNECTIONS
More Newberry winners by Christopher Paul Curtis:
Curtis, Christopher Paul. THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM-1963. ISBN 978-0440228004
Curtis, Christopher Paul. BUD, NOT BUDDY. ISBN 978-0553494105
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