Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Curtis, Christopher Paul. 2007. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. New York : Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780439023450
Plot Summary
Elijah is special in his close knit Canadian community, and not only for being notoriously “fra-gile.” He was the first free born child in the settlement of Buxton, which consists mostly of runaway slaves from America. A typical twelve year old, he struggles through friendships, temptations of trouble making, school, chores, and pranks. Through his experiences, he proves his courage and his growing up by dealing with the hardships of others, the reality of slavery, and the importance of the support of others.
Critical Analysis
In this historical fiction novel set during the time of slavery and the Underground Railroad in America, the characters are very well developed and interesting. Anyone could identify with the personalities of the characters, the skittish follower, the charismatic trouble maker, the strict teacher, the feisty mother. Though very relavent to today, the characters are very rooted to the time period through their dialect, clothing, living conditions, recreation,etc., the setting being crucial to the entire story.
This story portrays a realistic history, both quaint and gritty, from the day to day life of the settlers to the realized brutality of slave catchers. Readers are able to follow and understand the story, but definitely benefit from coming with background knowledge of the time period and situation. The story interestingly progresses from focusing on character development and minor events to the more dramatic and heavy major events.
This authentic story balances fact and fiction, the author using dialect adna focus on family and relationships in addition to the atrocities of slavery. The issues of growing up, getting respect, and being strong in tough times are all relevant themse to today’s young readers.
Awards, Honors, Best Book Lists
Coretta Scott King Book Award, 2008 Winner Author United States Cuffies: Children's Booksellers Choose Their Favorite (and not-so-favorite) Books of the Year, 2007 Winner Book We Could Have Sold More of with a Better Jack United States IODE (National Chapter of Canada) Violet Downey Book Award, 2008 Short-List Canada Jane Addams Children's Book Award, 2008 Honor Book Books for Older Children United States John Newbery Medal, 2008 Honor Book United States NAACP Image Award, 2008 Nominee Outstanding Literary Work-Children United States Odyssey Award, 2009 Honor United States Parents' Choice Award, 2007 Gold Fiction United States Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award, 2008 Shortlist Young Adult/Middle Reader Canada Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, 2008 Winner United States TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, 2008 Finalist Canada
Best Children's Books of the Year, 2008 ; Bank Street College of Education; United StatesBooklist Book Review Stars , Sep. 1, 2007 ; United StatesBooklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2007 ; American Library Association; United StatesBooklist Editors' Choice: Top of the List, 2007 ; American Library Association; Winner; United StatesBooklist Top 10 Black History Books for Youth, 2008 ; Booklist; United StatesBooklist Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth, 2008 ; Booklist; United StatesCapitol Choices, 2008 ; The Capitol Choices Committee; United StatesChoices, 2008 ; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United StatesHorn Book Fanfare, 2007 ; Horn Book; United StatesKirkus Best Children's Books, 2007 ; Kirkus; United StatesKirkus Book Review Stars, August 15, 2007 ; United StatesMiddle and Junior High Schoool Library Catalog, Ninth Edition Supplement 2008, 2008 ; H.W. Wilson Company; United StatesNotable Books for a Global Society, 2008 ; Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group IRA; United StatesNotable Children's Books, 2008 ; ALSC American Library Association; United StatesPublishers Weekly Best Children's Books, 2007 ; Cahners; United StatesSchool Library Journal Best Books, 2007 ; Cahners; United StatesSchool Library Journal Book Review Stars, October 2007 ; Cahners; United States
Review Excerpts
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, August 15, 2007 (Vol. 75, No. 16))
“… a setting so thoroughly evoked, with characters so real, that readers will live the story, not just read it. This is not a zip-ahead-and-see-what-happens-next novel. It's for settling into and savoring the rich, masterful storytelling…”
Kathryn Erskine (Children's Literature)
“Christopher Paul Curtis knows how to write characters so engaging and believable you want to meet them in person. In fact, after reading his books, you feel like you have…Elijah’s heroism is believable, growing from almost accidental, to faltering, to determined, albeit limited, saving one tiny soul rather than a whole group, which is all that can be expected of a child. Indeed, giving a child the opportunity to learn the horrors of the past but understand the hope of the future is the most we can ask of a character--and of an author.”
“Christopher Paul Curtis knows how to write characters so engaging and believable you want to meet them in person. In fact, after reading his books, you feel like you have…Elijah’s heroism is believable, growing from almost accidental, to faltering, to determined, albeit limited, saving one tiny soul rather than a whole group, which is all that can be expected of a child. Indeed, giving a child the opportunity to learn the horrors of the past but understand the hope of the future is the most we can ask of a character--and of an author.”
Connections
- Students could explore historical figures and events, such as the Underground Railroad or Reverend King, mentioned in the novel through research projects, further reading, or enrichment activities
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