1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Curtis, Christopher P. 2007. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.
ISBN 978-0-439-02344-3
2. PLOT SUMMARY
With the distinction of being the first baby born into the Buxton Settlement of Canada, a safe-haven community for slaves who fled America in 1859, tenderhearted eleven-year-old Elijah longs to show his parents that he is no longer "fragile." When a tragic injustice takes place, not only does Elijah display courage and maturity, but his tenderheartedness becomes a great strength.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Set in Buxton, Canada, in 1859, the historical fiction relates folksy episodic stories of a young boy’s life and adventures in his community, charming accounts written in period dialect about a community with the creed: “One helping one to uplift all.” Readers will relate to Elijah’s sense of adventure, his love of family and friends, and his longing to be courageous. The residents’ appreciation of freedom and commitment to the success and cohesiveness of the community mirror the life and truth of this historical village of former slaves. With tenderness and humor, Christopher Curtis communicates through the voice of his “fragile” protagonist. Younger readers not accustomed to the period dialect may struggle with fluency; for that reason, and the episodic structure of the text, this would be a terrific book for a teacher read-aloud. The primary plotline moves slowly until two-thirds of the way through the text when not only does the plot explode into action, but also Elijah’s experiences surrounding his encounters with five shackled slaves simultaneously inspire and sicken the reader. The author weaves fact and fiction together into a tapestry reflecting a love of freedom juxtaposed with the horror of slavery. Author’s notes wonderfully support the story with a historical basis for the narrative.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS & AWARDS
Coretta Scott King Medal Award
CLA Book of the Year for Children
Newbery Honor Books 2008
Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, October 2007: “Curtis’s talent for dealing with painful periods of history with grace and sensitivity is as strong as ever.”
LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION, January 2008: “Curtis deals with the difficult topic of slavery from a youthful perspective, allowing Elijah to learn of its sadness and pain first hand. This is done without overwhelming the reader, by infusing the novel with humor.”
5. CONNECTIONS
* Read ELIJAH OF BUXTON as part of a study on the Underground Railroad.
* Read other award-winning books by Christopher P. Curtis:
BUD, NOT BUDDY, ISBN 978-0553494105
THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM- 1963, ISBN 978-0440228004
* Explore the following sites to discover more about the Buxton Settlement:
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