Elijah of Buxton

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Curtis, C. 2007. Elijah of Buxton. Scholastic Paperbacks. ISBN-10: 0439023459.

PLOT SUMMARY

Christopher Paul Curtis creates a humorous, adventurous, and inspirational historical fiction in Elijah of Buxton. Elijah, is a young and playful 11-year-old boy who is famous for being first-born free from a generation of slaves in the mid 1800’s. Elijah’s family and friends are settled closed to the American border in Buxton, a settlement in Ontario, Canada. Elijah is guided by his parents, church leaders, and community members throughout the story. Elijah has never experienced slavery as more than just stories told by family and friends. He is often perceived as fragile and experiences misadventures due to the deceiving Right Reverend Zephariah. The author depicts Elijah living a fun, normal and carefree life, until conflict arises and he is faced with making tough “grown up” decisions. Elijah embarks on a journey to the United States in hopes to buy Mr. Leroy’s family freedom from slavery, but the truth he uncovers will leave him appreciating life and becoming a hero. In the end, Elijah is forced to be brave and go against all odds and  to escape, reach freedom, and save a baby girl’s life.

AWARDS:

Notable Children’s Books – 2008

John Newbery Medal – 2008

Coretta Scott King Award for Authors – 2008

Scott O’Dell Award – 2008

Jane Addams Award – 2008

Booklist Editor’s Choice – 2008

Publishers Weekly – Best Children’s Books – 2007

Kirkus Reviews – Best Children’s Books – 2007

School Library Journal – Best Books – 2007

Horn Book Fanfare List – Best Books – 2007

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Author Curtis does an incredible job of incorporation a historical setting as a background in a fiction story about a young care-free boy who is one generation away from being a slave. The author bases the story in the famous settlement of Buxton in Ontario, Canada during a controversial time in the history of the United States when the freedom of slaves was a highly disputed issue. Former slaves living in Buxton where free from the tortures of their owners and were able to live a productive, successful, and hope filled future. Living a life of bliss, main character, Elijah lives his life playing with friends, fishing, and chunking rocks. Not being truly aware of the circumstances that other people are living, Elijah is impacted in the end when he uncovers the true heart-wrenching reality of slavery. Elijah is morally obliged to save a baby girl slave and to go against the law of the U.S. Even though Curtis uses humor and playful dialogue to set the tone and mood of the story, the issues are very true, serious, and serve as a reminder of our history, and the atrocities that people had to endure as slaves, and as newly freed slaves.

EXCERPTS

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “The arresting historical setting and physical comedy signal classic Curtis (Bud, Not Buddy ), but while Elijah's boyish voice represents the Newbery Medalist at his finest, the story unspools at so leisurely a pace that kids might easily lose interest.”2007

KIRKUS REVIEWS: “Then Elijah journeys to America and risks his life to do what’s right. This is Curtis’s best novel yet, and no doubt many readers, young and old, will finish and say, “This is one of the best books I have ever read.” 2007

CONNECTIONS

Classroom Activity: Social Studies/History: Students create a timeline with slavery laws in the U.S. in the 1800’s. Students will research on the Buxton settlement. GT students will write 5 impacting findings about the struggles and successes of the Buxton settlement.

Library Activity: Display historical fiction books related children overcoming obstacles through controversial and revolutionary events.  

·         Curtis, C. 1997.The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963. Yearling. ISBN-10: 9780440414124.

·         Curtis, C. 2002. Bud, Not Buddy. Yearling. ISBN-10: 0440413281

·         Curtis, C. 2013. The Mighty Miss Malone. Yearling. ISBN-10: 0440422140.