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Elijah of Buxton
Newbery Medalist and CSK Award winner Christopher Paul Curtis's debut middle-grade/young-YA novel for Scholastic features his trademark humor, compelling storytelling, and unique narrative voice. Eleven-year-old Elijah is the first child born into freedom in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves just over the border from Detroit. He's best known in his hometown as the boy who made a memorable impression on Frederick Douglass. But things change when a former slave steals money from Elijah's friend, who has been saving to buy his family out of captivity in the South. Elijah embarks on a dangerous journey to America in pursuit of the thief, and he discovers firsthand the unimaginable horrors of the life his parents fled -- a life from which he'll always be free, if he can find the courage to get back home.
341 pages, Hardcover
First published August 29, 2007
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6861 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Paul Curtis
51 books1,230 followersCurtis was born in Flint, Michigan on May 10, 1953 to Dr. Herman Elmer Curtis, a chiropodist, and Leslie Jane Curtis, an educator. The city of Flint plays an important role in many of Curtis's books. One such example is Bucking the Sarge, which is about a fifteen year old boy named Luther T. Ferrel, who is in a running battle with his slum-lord mother. Curtis is an alumnus of the University of Michigan-Flint.
Curtis is the father of two children, Steven, an ensign in the United States Navy, and Cydney, a college student and accomplished pianist. His third child is expected to make an appearance in 2011. Christopher modeled characters in Bud, Not Buddy after his two grandfathers—Earl “Lefty” Lewis, a Negro league baseball pitcher, and 1930s bandleader Herman E. Curtis, Sr., of Herman Curtis and the Dusky Devastators of the Depression.
Curtis moved to Detroit, Michigan in January, 2009
Curtis is the father of two children, Steven, an ensign in the United States Navy, and Cydney, a college student and accomplished pianist. His third child is expected to make an appearance in 2011. Christopher modeled characters in Bud, Not Buddy after his two grandfathers—Earl “Lefty” Lewis, a Negro league baseball pitcher, and 1930s bandleader Herman E. Curtis, Sr., of Herman Curtis and the Dusky Devastators of the Depression.
Curtis moved to Detroit, Michigan in January, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,743 reviews
March 17, 2008
The boys picked to read Elijah of Buxton for this month’s discussion. The librarian asked me how I tricked them into reading an historical novel. I told her it was my wit and good looks. I think it has more to do with the cover. Anyhow, some have loved it, and some have struggled. Third graders are so used to being told to make sure words are spelled correctly that when they read a novel with dialect that is different it takes them out of their comfort zone.
On Friday during Independent Reading I look up because I hear Chris say “oh my god, oh my god, WOW!” He was almost to the end of the book. He gets up goes to his friends and rereads them the part. They begin to discuss the book. So much for the discussion this Wednesday, and Independent Reading. I think the guys have discussed the book more then any adult book club. There are times when we see and hear things that tell us this is why I put up with No Child Left Untested and the CSAP.
September 18, 2015
Despite that I liked Curtis’s lively, colorful, convincing portrayal of everyday life in Buxton, I felt that Elijah of Buxton had a slow start. However, towards the middle of the novel, when Curtis began weaving individual Buxton residents' escape and slave stories into Elijah’s daily experiences, I slowly came to love the book. As I was reading the novel on a CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) bus, I found myself tearing up, suddenly struck by what Elijah and his mother would call being “fra-gile-ness,” while I was reading the scene in which the new escaped family arrives in Buxton. I loved the way in which Curtis incorporated the stories of many of Buxton’s free blacks to develop believable, human characters, show the myriad, torturous paths to freedom (or back to slavery), and the enduring pain that continues to linger under the surface of free Buxton. By beautifully developing his characters and binding them to readers' hearts, Curtis manages to convey the full sadness and horror of the Buxton residents' experiences without extreme graphical violence or an overly heavy story. We, as well as Elijah, are reminded that “people that used to be slaves are toting things ‘round with ‘em that caint be seen with your regular eyes….They’ve seen people acting in ways that caint help but leave scars and peculiarities” (101). By extension, these “scars and peculiarities” continue to lay beneath many of societies' present ills. We as a society oftentimes unknowingly hurt and offend, deserving the same rebuke that Mr. Leroy gives Elijah for using the word “nigger”: “Ya’ll’s ignorant in a whole slew of ways. Y’all ain’t been told your whole life what you is" (99).
In my opinion, Elijah of Buxton is largely the story of the title character coming of age through learning about his heritage, not necessarily in the classroom with Mr. Travis, but through hearing the stories of his community and experiencing the legacy of fear and violence, and ultimately, joy in freedom and H(h)ope. Curtis sprinkles others’ stories into the novel, and I thought to myself while reading the novel, “The title of the novel is *Elijah* of Buxton, so why does it seem like so little time is spent on the narrative episodes of his experience?” It occurred to me while writing this, that, simply, Elijah’s story is the story of the community of Buxton and vice versa. As alluded to earlier, Elijah’s story is our story, the story of individuals making sense of the world around them, of learning and becoming “growned up,” which I think that Curtis conveys wonderfully through Elijah’s comically confused, sometimes naïve observations of the world around him. With this method, Curtis captures the feeling of disconnect and confusion we oftentimes feel when something is beyond the scope of our understanding and experience. This is one of the reasons why I think that this novel would be good for educating children, as well as adults, who are largely unfamiliar with the broad repercussions of slavery, or who cannot associate the legacy of slavery with a human face with which to empathize.
Other things that I admired about this novel were its uncompromising immediacy, realism, and complexity. Although it may seem far-fetched that Elijah encountered Frederick Douglass or talked to captured slaves, Curtis recounts realistic stories about slavery through believable and well-developed characters. The stories about slavery, escape, and life in Buxton do not contain shocking graphical descriptions, yet they retain a strong emotional punch.
In my opinion, Elijah of Buxton is largely the story of the title character coming of age through learning about his heritage, not necessarily in the classroom with Mr. Travis, but through hearing the stories of his community and experiencing the legacy of fear and violence, and ultimately, joy in freedom and H(h)ope. Curtis sprinkles others’ stories into the novel, and I thought to myself while reading the novel, “The title of the novel is *Elijah* of Buxton, so why does it seem like so little time is spent on the narrative episodes of his experience?” It occurred to me while writing this, that, simply, Elijah’s story is the story of the community of Buxton and vice versa. As alluded to earlier, Elijah’s story is our story, the story of individuals making sense of the world around them, of learning and becoming “growned up,” which I think that Curtis conveys wonderfully through Elijah’s comically confused, sometimes naïve observations of the world around him. With this method, Curtis captures the feeling of disconnect and confusion we oftentimes feel when something is beyond the scope of our understanding and experience. This is one of the reasons why I think that this novel would be good for educating children, as well as adults, who are largely unfamiliar with the broad repercussions of slavery, or who cannot associate the legacy of slavery with a human face with which to empathize.
Other things that I admired about this novel were its uncompromising immediacy, realism, and complexity. Although it may seem far-fetched that Elijah encountered Frederick Douglass or talked to captured slaves, Curtis recounts realistic stories about slavery through believable and well-developed characters. The stories about slavery, escape, and life in Buxton do not contain shocking graphical descriptions, yet they retain a strong emotional punch.
January 21, 2024
An exciting historical fiction read. Even if you're well past your childhood, if you've never read this, it's worth a try; don't let the "juvenile" label stop you.
January 31, 2008
I laughed and cried. Elijah became flesh and blood to me, and of course, I learned a little more about slavery and what it means to be free. It took a page or two for me to get accustomed to the dialect. I kept waiting for the library copy to come in, but went ahead and bought it. It's one worth owning.
February 16, 2018
Oh, Christopher Paul Curtis, you had me at this description of hoopsnake poisoning:
Then Curtis seals the deal with a two page long section combining my two favorite things: Frederick Douglass and vomit jokes.
Clearly, Curtis has upped his comedy game. He has also upped the dramatic stakes. It seems impossible that anything could be more tragic than the final chapters of The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963, but this book achieves it. The main character is a brilliant proxy for the reader- a person connected to slavery who has to learn about it through a series of painful revelations.
Curtis' style is a masterful ode to Mark Twain. He skillfully evokes Twain's irony, fascination with lies, exaggerations, use of dialect, and discursive narrative structure. Elijah of Buxton should be required reading for anyone attempting The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
This book also contains a section on the N word that explains it better than I've seen anywhere else. This section should also be required reading.
Newbery Comments
2008 was a controversial year at the Newberys. Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village was a book nobody asked for and it continues to gather dust to this day. On the other hand, Feathers and The Wednesday Wars were both quality books that connected with readers. They are both still popular today. However, I argue that Elijah of Buxton is distinguished in ways that surpass any of the other contenders. Tragically, though, it is often forgotten or overshadowed by Curtis' other books. This is a masterpiece waiting to be rediscovered.
You swell so much that after exactly seven and a half days the pressure in your body becomes too great and you explode like an overheated steam boiler! In seconds your stomach and your lungs and your other entrails are flung around you for miles
Then Curtis seals the deal with a two page long section combining my two favorite things: Frederick Douglass and vomit jokes.
Clearly, Curtis has upped his comedy game. He has also upped the dramatic stakes. It seems impossible that anything could be more tragic than the final chapters of The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963, but this book achieves it. The main character is a brilliant proxy for the reader- a person connected to slavery who has to learn about it through a series of painful revelations.
Curtis' style is a masterful ode to Mark Twain. He skillfully evokes Twain's irony, fascination with lies, exaggerations, use of dialect, and discursive narrative structure. Elijah of Buxton should be required reading for anyone attempting The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
This book also contains a section on the N word that explains it better than I've seen anywhere else. This section should also be required reading.
Newbery Comments
2008 was a controversial year at the Newberys. Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village was a book nobody asked for and it continues to gather dust to this day. On the other hand, Feathers and The Wednesday Wars were both quality books that connected with readers. They are both still popular today. However, I argue that Elijah of Buxton is distinguished in ways that surpass any of the other contenders. Tragically, though, it is often forgotten or overshadowed by Curtis' other books. This is a masterpiece waiting to be rediscovered.
January 11, 2015
A story set in a Canadian settlement of runaway slaves. Elijah was the first child born there, thus the first person born free, living in the community. The book at 340 pages is a bit long for this kind of novel and though there are many small incidents, the major incident in the book doesn't happen until the last quarter of the book. I was waiting for something to happen. I suppose it's a deliberately different construction for a young adult novel. Because of its length, I probably won't put this on the reading list for my students in my Social Studies Methods class as they have so much reading to do.
April 27, 2018
I mistakenly thought that this was the author's Newbery medal-winning book. Did I "waste" time reading this when I had intended it to be credited towards my project of reading all the Newbery medal books? I don't think so! I enjoyed every page.
August 8, 2008
I had a hard time deciding what to rate this book. It isn't very action-packed or exciting. In fact, the events from the book description don't take place until the last 100 pages of the story. For the first 240 pages I felt like I was waiting for the real story to begin.
Also, the heavy use of dialect makes the reading a bit tedious. I hope I never have to read "gunn" used for "going to" or even "gonna" again!
On the other hand, I was fascinated with the setting. I learned a lot I hadn't known before about the settlement of runaway slaves called Buxton in Canada.
I also really liked the characters, especially Elijah and his wonderful sense of humor. He makes a great narrator. A favorite "Elijah" quote that made me chuckle: "All the growned folks that hadn't never learnt to read nor write whilst they were 'slaved in America had to take lessons at the school house at night. Between cooking and cleaning and gardening and sewing and knitting and working the fields at harvesttime and helping out at the chopping bees and the raising bees and tending to her sheep and shearing 'em and gathering wool and carding it and spinning it, Ma had been lazy and was slacking off on her school lessons and they waren't sticking particular good."
In fact, I found myself marking the place of several great quotes:
Wisdom from Elijah's neighbor: "Mr. Leroy kept chomping and said, 'Fish eating's like anything else in life, Elijah. If you go at it 'specting something bad to happen, all you gunn do is draw that bad thing to you. You caint be timid 'bout nothing you do, you got to go at it like you 'specting good things to come out of it. If I's to worry 'bout bones choking me, it'd happen every time I et fish. Ain't nothing further from my mind.' Fish bones snapped in his mouth like dry twigs."
Wisdom from Elijah's Ma when comforting a neighbor who just found out that her husband had died: "Well, the body don't never endure, do it? But I hopes . . . naw, I knows that something inside all of us be so strong it caint be stopped. It fly on forever."
Wisdom from Elijah's Pa when they found out Mr. Leroy was conned out of a huge sum of money that was meant to buy his family out of slavery: "Let this here be a lesson to you. You caint let your wantings blind you to what's the truth. You always got to look at things the way they is, not the way you wish 'em to be."
I can see why Elijah of Buxton won so many awards, and I'm definitely not sorry I read it! But because of the issues mentioned above, I really can't give it more than three stars.
Also, the heavy use of dialect makes the reading a bit tedious. I hope I never have to read "gunn" used for "going to" or even "gonna" again!
On the other hand, I was fascinated with the setting. I learned a lot I hadn't known before about the settlement of runaway slaves called Buxton in Canada.
I also really liked the characters, especially Elijah and his wonderful sense of humor. He makes a great narrator. A favorite "Elijah" quote that made me chuckle: "All the growned folks that hadn't never learnt to read nor write whilst they were 'slaved in America had to take lessons at the school house at night. Between cooking and cleaning and gardening and sewing and knitting and working the fields at harvesttime and helping out at the chopping bees and the raising bees and tending to her sheep and shearing 'em and gathering wool and carding it and spinning it, Ma had been lazy and was slacking off on her school lessons and they waren't sticking particular good."
In fact, I found myself marking the place of several great quotes:
Wisdom from Elijah's neighbor: "Mr. Leroy kept chomping and said, 'Fish eating's like anything else in life, Elijah. If you go at it 'specting something bad to happen, all you gunn do is draw that bad thing to you. You caint be timid 'bout nothing you do, you got to go at it like you 'specting good things to come out of it. If I's to worry 'bout bones choking me, it'd happen every time I et fish. Ain't nothing further from my mind.' Fish bones snapped in his mouth like dry twigs."
Wisdom from Elijah's Ma when comforting a neighbor who just found out that her husband had died: "Well, the body don't never endure, do it? But I hopes . . . naw, I knows that something inside all of us be so strong it caint be stopped. It fly on forever."
Wisdom from Elijah's Pa when they found out Mr. Leroy was conned out of a huge sum of money that was meant to buy his family out of slavery: "Let this here be a lesson to you. You caint let your wantings blind you to what's the truth. You always got to look at things the way they is, not the way you wish 'em to be."
I can see why Elijah of Buxton won so many awards, and I'm definitely not sorry I read it! But because of the issues mentioned above, I really can't give it more than three stars.
April 14, 2024
Elijah of Buxton, by Christopher Paul Curtis, c. 2007 Ages 9-12
This middle-grade story is about a young black boy - the first freeborn black in the Canadian colony of Buxton, Canada, a community of freed and escaped slaves. The book is based on true events, and there is a great summary about the Buxton settlement at the end of the story; it is just as interesting as the story itself. The author also lists his sources and more information about the settlement.
Elijah is an 11-year-old boy whom his mother calls "fra-gile" because he is very sensitive and easily frightened. There are several very funny events in the story as Elijah learns to face his fears. But there are also serious moments when his courage grows by leaps and bounds as the fate of others rests in his untried hands. It is an engaging tale, and an excellent picture of the state of slavery just before the Civil War - the cruelty and hardships experienced by the slaves and their overwhelming drive to be free and live their own lives. Highly recommended, not just for middle-grade students, but also for older students and adults. The only caveat I have is that the vernacular was occasionally difficult to read because it was different than other spellings of black vernacular. Example: using "gunn" for "going to." I more often see it spelled as "gonna," and it kept throwing me.
I only wish there was a sequel!
This middle-grade story is about a young black boy - the first freeborn black in the Canadian colony of Buxton, Canada, a community of freed and escaped slaves. The book is based on true events, and there is a great summary about the Buxton settlement at the end of the story; it is just as interesting as the story itself. The author also lists his sources and more information about the settlement.
Elijah is an 11-year-old boy whom his mother calls "fra-gile" because he is very sensitive and easily frightened. There are several very funny events in the story as Elijah learns to face his fears. But there are also serious moments when his courage grows by leaps and bounds as the fate of others rests in his untried hands. It is an engaging tale, and an excellent picture of the state of slavery just before the Civil War - the cruelty and hardships experienced by the slaves and their overwhelming drive to be free and live their own lives. Highly recommended, not just for middle-grade students, but also for older students and adults. The only caveat I have is that the vernacular was occasionally difficult to read because it was different than other spellings of black vernacular. Example: using "gunn" for "going to." I more often see it spelled as "gonna," and it kept throwing me.
I only wish there was a sequel!
December 5, 2016
I loved this story of Eli, the first free-born black child of Buxton, a black settlement in Canada. He gets into some little trouble and then some big trouble. The audiobook is a great read. This is probably considered middle grade.
November 9, 2022
I really enjoyed this!
The plot is original and the character's journey is one that would be hard to guess; something which I really appreciate. The character development is exceptional too. You really come to feel for the characters, agonizing with them in their guilt, foolishness, pain, and growth. It's a story that will stick with you because the lessons are poignant.
I would definitely recommend this be read by a more mature reader or as a family read-aloud so you can discuss the issues/life lessons presented in the book. They are well worth the time.
Ages: 13+
Cleanliness:
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 44 Incidents: doggone, doggone-it-all, blang it all, doggone humbug, I’ll be blanged, egads, shucks, dern, blasted, darn shoot, stupid, d*mn (spelled out incorrectly)
Name Calling - 14 Incidents: jackleg man of the Lord, scallywags, rapscallion, babbling idiot, chowderhead, fool, brat, yellow-belly dog of a blamed thief (this is mentioned as swearing), pickaninnies, N*gg-- (the boy doesn’t finish saying it and gets in big trouble).
Scatological Terms - 3 Incidents: Bl**dy (as in lots of blood)
Religious Profanity - 15 Incidents: Lord have mercy, God bless us all, What on God’s earth is wrong now?, Sweet baby Jesus, My word!, My goodness, Lord, Lord knows, Praise Jesus, Praise God, God-know-where, Lord almighty
Religious & Supernatural - None
Violence - 2 Incidents: Stories circulated that perhaps a man slit two guys throats, cut them into hunks and threw them in a lake. A thief is tortured (stripped of his clothes) and killed. “They … bust his teeth out and split his tongue in two.
Romance Related - 5 Incidents: Two boys mistakenly think they are going to learn about the birds and bees at school. They are actually going to learn about “familiarity breeds contempt.” They see the word “breed,” misinterpret it and then the other words as well. A boy pulls all of his clothes off to go swimming. A dwarf takes his pants off in front of a crowd and has no underdrawers on. Several slaves are completely naked, “I also saw she didn’t have no clothes on ’cepting a rag hanging ‘cross one of her shoulders. A thief is tortured (stripped of his clothes) and killed. “They … bust his teeth out and split his tongue in two.
Attitudes/Disobedience - 7 Incidents: A boy back-talks to his mom. A boy walks in an area his father warned him not to go. A boy swears, knowing it’s a swear word but doesn’t think it’s much of a sin no more (compared to learning about the birds and the bees). A boy lies, saying a sermon was good. A boy complains when he’s not allowed to go to a town meeting. He then disobeys and sneaks off to the meeting anyway. A boy tells a few lies (he is kind of being kidnapped, though he wants to go along with the man to help right a wrong. He lies to his mom and neighbor about where he’s going). A boy lies about his mother wanting a little girl so that the slave mother will give her baby to him so the baby will grow up free.
Conversation Topics - 18 Incidents: A man calls himself the Right Reverend Deacon Doctor Zephariah Connerly the Third. Everyone just calls him “Preacher” though he doesn’t have a church. (The man lies considerably, manipulates a young boy several times, almost kidnaps a boy and then shoots a man to get his gold). “I learnt from Ma that people who use to be slaves love prettying up any kind of story” meaning exaggeration and lying. This is throughout the entire book (though not with the main characters). A boy has good fishing skills and a man says it has a look of “conjuring” about it. (Conjuring is used in this way often throughout the book). The man says he’ll have to ponder this to see if it’s the work of the Devil (or of Jesus). “You do know that being left-handed is one of the sure signs of being in Satan’s clutches, don’t you?” Possible blasphemy: a man says metaphorically, “you’ve turned stones into fish! Maybe turning water to wine is more impressive and practical, but what you’ve done is no mean feat either.” Mentions ghosts, evil spirits and haints throughout the book. (It’s the thought the boy jumps to when there is a scary noise or when he sees a shadowy figure (it’s people)). “Watching your Sabbath school teacher get took over by Satan and commence twisting the juices outta children’s ears. Which is probably the first step the Devil takes when he’s ‘bout to wrestle your soul away from you!” A man convinces a boy to sneak out of the house one night to go to a carnival/freak show with him. He tells the boy he’s found a way for his God-given skills to be used to help people. Mentioned at the carnival are hypnotists, a mesmerist (which the boy sees how the tricks are done), gamblers and “all sorts of horrible things going on there.” The man talks to the owner of the freak show, trying to strike a deal with him regarding the boy’s uncanny skill for aiming and shooting targets. The owner offers to buy the boy, and there is shown a slight internal struggle, but the man decides he can’t sell the boy. Smoking a cigar is mentioned a few times. The word “Negro” is used a few times throughout the book. Mentions tabacky (tobacco). A slave woman says she’ll wring her daughter’s neck if she doesn’t take the next opportunity to run away to freedom. (She is serious and this is the conclusion of a long rant). It mentions drinking and carousing and gambling a few times. A man says he’ll shoot the thief who stole his money and “I’m-a look him in the eye and make sure he die a terrible death.” Mentions men playing dice for money. A boy promises a dying man that he’ll get the money back from the thief and if the thief doesn’t have the money any longer, that he will shoot him. A slave woman asks about a gun and how many bullets it has so she can shoot her baby, the other slaves and herself to end their torment. (It is not addressed whether they commit suicide or use the gun to kill their captors - though the second is more likely.
Parent Takeaway
There are a few times where the main character does something wrong; he almost always feels remorse and gets in trouble. This book probably has a few more Conversation Topics than others but is a good, enjoyable book overall. You may want to read and discuss about what happens at the carnival/freak show and about the character called Preacher (both listed in this report).
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The plot is original and the character's journey is one that would be hard to guess; something which I really appreciate. The character development is exceptional too. You really come to feel for the characters, agonizing with them in their guilt, foolishness, pain, and growth. It's a story that will stick with you because the lessons are poignant.
I would definitely recommend this be read by a more mature reader or as a family read-aloud so you can discuss the issues/life lessons presented in the book. They are well worth the time.
Ages: 13+
Cleanliness:
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 44 Incidents: doggone, doggone-it-all, blang it all, doggone humbug, I’ll be blanged, egads, shucks, dern, blasted, darn shoot, stupid, d*mn (spelled out incorrectly)
Name Calling - 14 Incidents: jackleg man of the Lord, scallywags, rapscallion, babbling idiot, chowderhead, fool, brat, yellow-belly dog of a blamed thief (this is mentioned as swearing), pickaninnies, N*gg-- (the boy doesn’t finish saying it and gets in big trouble).
Scatological Terms - 3 Incidents: Bl**dy (as in lots of blood)
Religious Profanity - 15 Incidents: Lord have mercy, God bless us all, What on God’s earth is wrong now?, Sweet baby Jesus, My word!, My goodness, Lord, Lord knows, Praise Jesus, Praise God, God-know-where, Lord almighty
Religious & Supernatural - None
Violence - 2 Incidents: Stories circulated that perhaps a man slit two guys throats, cut them into hunks and threw them in a lake. A thief is tortured (stripped of his clothes) and killed. “They … bust his teeth out and split his tongue in two.
Romance Related - 5 Incidents: Two boys mistakenly think they are going to learn about the birds and bees at school. They are actually going to learn about “familiarity breeds contempt.” They see the word “breed,” misinterpret it and then the other words as well. A boy pulls all of his clothes off to go swimming. A dwarf takes his pants off in front of a crowd and has no underdrawers on. Several slaves are completely naked, “I also saw she didn’t have no clothes on ’cepting a rag hanging ‘cross one of her shoulders. A thief is tortured (stripped of his clothes) and killed. “They … bust his teeth out and split his tongue in two.
Attitudes/Disobedience - 7 Incidents: A boy back-talks to his mom. A boy walks in an area his father warned him not to go. A boy swears, knowing it’s a swear word but doesn’t think it’s much of a sin no more (compared to learning about the birds and the bees). A boy lies, saying a sermon was good. A boy complains when he’s not allowed to go to a town meeting. He then disobeys and sneaks off to the meeting anyway. A boy tells a few lies (he is kind of being kidnapped, though he wants to go along with the man to help right a wrong. He lies to his mom and neighbor about where he’s going). A boy lies about his mother wanting a little girl so that the slave mother will give her baby to him so the baby will grow up free.
Conversation Topics - 18 Incidents: A man calls himself the Right Reverend Deacon Doctor Zephariah Connerly the Third. Everyone just calls him “Preacher” though he doesn’t have a church. (The man lies considerably, manipulates a young boy several times, almost kidnaps a boy and then shoots a man to get his gold). “I learnt from Ma that people who use to be slaves love prettying up any kind of story” meaning exaggeration and lying. This is throughout the entire book (though not with the main characters). A boy has good fishing skills and a man says it has a look of “conjuring” about it. (Conjuring is used in this way often throughout the book). The man says he’ll have to ponder this to see if it’s the work of the Devil (or of Jesus). “You do know that being left-handed is one of the sure signs of being in Satan’s clutches, don’t you?” Possible blasphemy: a man says metaphorically, “you’ve turned stones into fish! Maybe turning water to wine is more impressive and practical, but what you’ve done is no mean feat either.” Mentions ghosts, evil spirits and haints throughout the book. (It’s the thought the boy jumps to when there is a scary noise or when he sees a shadowy figure (it’s people)). “Watching your Sabbath school teacher get took over by Satan and commence twisting the juices outta children’s ears. Which is probably the first step the Devil takes when he’s ‘bout to wrestle your soul away from you!” A man convinces a boy to sneak out of the house one night to go to a carnival/freak show with him. He tells the boy he’s found a way for his God-given skills to be used to help people. Mentioned at the carnival are hypnotists, a mesmerist (which the boy sees how the tricks are done), gamblers and “all sorts of horrible things going on there.” The man talks to the owner of the freak show, trying to strike a deal with him regarding the boy’s uncanny skill for aiming and shooting targets. The owner offers to buy the boy, and there is shown a slight internal struggle, but the man decides he can’t sell the boy. Smoking a cigar is mentioned a few times. The word “Negro” is used a few times throughout the book. Mentions tabacky (tobacco). A slave woman says she’ll wring her daughter’s neck if she doesn’t take the next opportunity to run away to freedom. (She is serious and this is the conclusion of a long rant). It mentions drinking and carousing and gambling a few times. A man says he’ll shoot the thief who stole his money and “I’m-a look him in the eye and make sure he die a terrible death.” Mentions men playing dice for money. A boy promises a dying man that he’ll get the money back from the thief and if the thief doesn’t have the money any longer, that he will shoot him. A slave woman asks about a gun and how many bullets it has so she can shoot her baby, the other slaves and herself to end their torment. (It is not addressed whether they commit suicide or use the gun to kill their captors - though the second is more likely.
Parent Takeaway
There are a few times where the main character does something wrong; he almost always feels remorse and gets in trouble. This book probably has a few more Conversation Topics than others but is a good, enjoyable book overall. You may want to read and discuss about what happens at the carnival/freak show and about the character called Preacher (both listed in this report).
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November 12, 2019
So many gems in this book. The one that stood out was the use of the N word and why no one should say it. I can’t stand that word but I know many who use it out of love, insults or embracing. Let’s just say that if a young person reads this book they will get what the big deal is about using certain language. Overall an enjoyable book with a lot of history. Some parts sad and some parts funny. When you think the story is going one way it goes another.
May 7, 2016
It's going to be hard for me to write about this book without resorting to blatant gushing, but I'll do my best. Elijah of Buxton is one of those books that kept popping up on all the lists this year. When it won both the Newbery Honor and the Coretta Scott King Award, I thought I'd better pick it up and give it a shot.
Now I had read Christopher Paul Curtis' Bud, Not Buddy when it won the Newbery Medal in 2000, and I liked it quite a bit, but I have to admit I wasn't completely blown away. I didn't rush out and recommend it to everyone I knew. Elijah of Buxton is another story.
The book is set in the mid 1860's in Buxton, Canada--one of the early Black settlements of escaped slaves from the United States. Elijah, the book's fictional hero, is the first free-born child in the settlement.
In some ways, it's a basic coming of age story. Elijah is what his mother calls a "fra-gile" child, and he is trying very hard to learn how to become more grown-up. In other ways, it's an amazing glimpse into what life on one of these settlements could have been like. There is a poignant juxtaposition between the young children in the settlement who've known nothing but freedom, and the adults, who have each risked everything to be free and carry heavy wounds and scars that the children can't begin to comprehend.
Mostly what I loved about this book, besides the beautiful writing and engaging story, is that it is ultimately a story about community. It is about how people can come together to try to make the world a better place, not just for themselves, but for one another. When Elijah, who goes to school and can read and write, is asked to read a letter to Mrs. Holton, informing her that her husband has been whipped to death by a slave owner, the women of the settlement go with him:
"Mostly I think I didn't bawl 'cause once Ma and them women bunched up 'round Mrs. Holton with their watching, waiting eyes and hands, it felt like a whole slew of soldiers was ringing that parlour with swords drawed and waren't no sorrow so powerful it could bust through."
I'll warn you, I bawled. I cried straight through the entire last three chapters. But it's not just sadness that makes you cry, it's the redemption and grace and joy mixed up in the sadness that is so affecting. This is a beautiful story and I know it won all the "literature for young people" awards, but I would recommend it to adults as well. A good story's a good story, after all.
You can visit the real Buxton Museum website here.
You can read about Christopher Paul Curtis' R.E.A.D Program and Kenya School Project here.
Now I had read Christopher Paul Curtis' Bud, Not Buddy when it won the Newbery Medal in 2000, and I liked it quite a bit, but I have to admit I wasn't completely blown away. I didn't rush out and recommend it to everyone I knew. Elijah of Buxton is another story.
The book is set in the mid 1860's in Buxton, Canada--one of the early Black settlements of escaped slaves from the United States. Elijah, the book's fictional hero, is the first free-born child in the settlement.
In some ways, it's a basic coming of age story. Elijah is what his mother calls a "fra-gile" child, and he is trying very hard to learn how to become more grown-up. In other ways, it's an amazing glimpse into what life on one of these settlements could have been like. There is a poignant juxtaposition between the young children in the settlement who've known nothing but freedom, and the adults, who have each risked everything to be free and carry heavy wounds and scars that the children can't begin to comprehend.
Mostly what I loved about this book, besides the beautiful writing and engaging story, is that it is ultimately a story about community. It is about how people can come together to try to make the world a better place, not just for themselves, but for one another. When Elijah, who goes to school and can read and write, is asked to read a letter to Mrs. Holton, informing her that her husband has been whipped to death by a slave owner, the women of the settlement go with him:
"Mostly I think I didn't bawl 'cause once Ma and them women bunched up 'round Mrs. Holton with their watching, waiting eyes and hands, it felt like a whole slew of soldiers was ringing that parlour with swords drawed and waren't no sorrow so powerful it could bust through."
I'll warn you, I bawled. I cried straight through the entire last three chapters. But it's not just sadness that makes you cry, it's the redemption and grace and joy mixed up in the sadness that is so affecting. This is a beautiful story and I know it won all the "literature for young people" awards, but I would recommend it to adults as well. A good story's a good story, after all.
You can visit the real Buxton Museum website here.
You can read about Christopher Paul Curtis' R.E.A.D Program and Kenya School Project here.
May 2, 2009
Curtis, in Newberry-Award winning style, tells the story of a young boy growing up in the (historically real) all-black community of Buxton, Ontario, Canada, in 1859. The book is completely absorbing, and one forgets immediately that this is a book for young adults or grade schoolers. Curtis writes with such a clarity of purpose and faithfulness to his story that there's no question of whether the book is merely edifying.
Elijah, the first boy born in the community, is 11 when this story begins. Like TOM SAWYER, this book begins with early chapters of barefoot country life, eccentric neighbors, boyish daydreaming and pranks. And also like SAWYER, this book culminates in a truly harrowing drama in which the world of adults (and slavery) finally reaches Elijah.
I'm tempted to say that the world of slavery reaches -- like MORDOR (Tolkien's wellspring of evil) -- finally to touch Elijah. I began this review wanting to mention Edward Jones THE KNOWN WORLD, to which this book merits a comparison (that's saying something, since Jones won the Pulitzer). But it's TOM SAWYER and THE LORD OF THE RINGS that also demand comparison, since Curtis has managed to write an adventure story about slavery. It's hard to suggest that the book is as good as HUCK FINN, but it's the inevitable conclusion: this is one hell of a book.
WHY I READ THIS BOOK: I read a review of the book in 2007, or saw it on a list of top YA authors, or ran across it while browsing in the bookstore. Or all three. It stayed in my box of books to read, and finally I got to it.
Elijah, the first boy born in the community, is 11 when this story begins. Like TOM SAWYER, this book begins with early chapters of barefoot country life, eccentric neighbors, boyish daydreaming and pranks. And also like SAWYER, this book culminates in a truly harrowing drama in which the world of adults (and slavery) finally reaches Elijah.
I'm tempted to say that the world of slavery reaches -- like MORDOR (Tolkien's wellspring of evil) -- finally to touch Elijah. I began this review wanting to mention Edward Jones THE KNOWN WORLD, to which this book merits a comparison (that's saying something, since Jones won the Pulitzer). But it's TOM SAWYER and THE LORD OF THE RINGS that also demand comparison, since Curtis has managed to write an adventure story about slavery. It's hard to suggest that the book is as good as HUCK FINN, but it's the inevitable conclusion: this is one hell of a book.
WHY I READ THIS BOOK: I read a review of the book in 2007, or saw it on a list of top YA authors, or ran across it while browsing in the bookstore. Or all three. It stayed in my box of books to read, and finally I got to it.
August 20, 2015
I didn't expect to like this book at all. It started VERY slow; nothing much happened until about the fourth-last chapter. And Elijah, the protagonist, was so annoying and stupid, and for most of time I just wanted to slap him; HARD.
But then things started moving faster and the last chapter, or rather the ending scenes, left me sobbing. The moment between the slave woman and her child, and when she gives the child to Elijah, was absolutely heartbreaking and beautifully written. I felt desperate agony for her, and for the thousands of others slaves during that time. It was heart wrenching.
And yet I didn't think the ending was fully resolved. What about Mr. Leroy's family? I would have liked to have seen what happened about that.
But then things started moving faster and the last chapter, or rather the ending scenes, left me sobbing. The moment between the slave woman and her child, and when she gives the child to Elijah, was absolutely heartbreaking and beautifully written. I felt desperate agony for her, and for the thousands of others slaves during that time. It was heart wrenching.
And yet I didn't think the ending was fully resolved. What about Mr. Leroy's family? I would have liked to have seen what happened about that.
February 17, 2019
One of the reasons I love reading Newbery Award winners is that I learn so much. This especially true of this book. I learned of the community of Buxton in Canada, made of runaway slaves. The story adds so much to ones understanding. Check out Chapter 7! This is the author of Buddy, Not Buddy one of my favorite Newbery Medal Winners. This book equals it. It is slow starting but continue on and you will be rewarded. Also there is an author’s note that tells you all about the National Historical Site one can visit in Canada.
June 21, 2013
I have nothing but excellent things to say about this book, which is top notch historical-fiction for all ages covering the final era of American slavery. This was one of the books I recently read and discussed with my 11 year old daughter for educational progress.
When she selected it, I thought that it would be a good lead in for the Autobiography of Frederick Douglass (which is our next joint read). What we got out of this read instead was so much more than preparation! This is such a solid book that I recommend it for every American youth.
The story of Elijah and the Buxton Colony, actually known as the Elgin Colony, is a symbolic coming of age story of a young boy born free in Canada during the last decade of American slavery. The author skillfully eases the reader into the brutal environment of existing slavery to the South (Buxton is not far from Michigan...with only the Canadian-U.S. border between them which, due to laws, determined freedom or bondage for people of color. The opening chapters, which familiarize the reader with characters and colony life, ease into the bigger scenario of slavery so artfully, it is almost as if the author is puposely symbolizing the understanding process of a child growing up and gradually noticing the evils of the world.
The author covers the issue of slavery without really candy-coating the atrocities and horrors, but his writing style allows the intellectual understanding and maturity level of the reader decipher how vivid the picture develops, and there are several references that mainly students of history will pick up on. One such subtle issue was described in a memory by Elijah's mother from when she was a young American slave girl whose mistress had taken her north to Michigan where she was able to see Canada across the river (which looked the exact same as America, but was called the land of the free). When she told her mother, her mother became irate and beat her for not making a run for Canada and screamed at her "Don't you know what horrors they got in store for you"? This was clearly a subtle reference to the trend of slave owners who often raped their female slaves.
The historical references in the story are really strong. The author makes references of the abolitionists, John Brown and Frederick Douglass, and the following issues were skillfully touched on in this historical-fiction story: 1) The beating of a slave to death 2) The Underground Railroad 3) Separation of slave families and the attempts to buy family members out of slavery in America 4) Slavers coming North into Canada 5) The use of the N word by a free born.
One of the most symbolic coming of age elements of the book is how the children played a game called "slavers and abolitionist".
Great read! Highly recommended!
October 3, 2008
Okay, I'm sold. It took me months to finally getting around to reading this one, and that's too bad, because I could have been recommending it all this time. It's fantastic.
Elijah Freeman was the first child born free in the Buxton settlement of Canada. His life is made up of family, school, chores, and fishing, and although he has heard stories about life in captivity from the former slaves around him, he leads a very different life. When an unscrupulous, self-proclaimed preacher makes off with the money a man was going to use to buy his wife and children out of slavery, Elijah is taken to America to help find the thief.
Award-winner Curtis has crafted a masterpiece for children. In situations that range from hilarious to heart-breaking, Elijah and his Buxton friends and family are incredibly real. They display strength, integrity, loyalty, humor, and extreme sacrifice. Hearing about slavery and seeing it for himself are two very different things for Elijah. Readers will feel like they are standing along-side him as he sees for himself the horrors of slavery and struggles to reconcile what he witnesses with his sense of justice. Personally, I wanted to grab the mystery pistol myself and get the job done.
I listened to the audiobook, and Mirron Willis has done an absolutely outstanding job. While it's 8 CDs, and certainly takes much longer to listen to it than it does to read it, I think it's worth it just to hear Willis' narration. He doesn't just read this, he acts it. That's why it's so long--he doesn't rush through; he says every single line like it's coming from a real person feeling every word right from the bottom of his soul. You know when you're talking out loud to your CD player that this is a powerful piece of literature.
I laughed out loud, and I was moved to tears more than once. I cannot recommend it strongly enough. Read it. Today.
(But I still hate this cover. Elijah looks like one of Willie Tyler's ventriloquist dummies. The new, paperback cover is MUCH better.)
Elijah Freeman was the first child born free in the Buxton settlement of Canada. His life is made up of family, school, chores, and fishing, and although he has heard stories about life in captivity from the former slaves around him, he leads a very different life. When an unscrupulous, self-proclaimed preacher makes off with the money a man was going to use to buy his wife and children out of slavery, Elijah is taken to America to help find the thief.
Award-winner Curtis has crafted a masterpiece for children. In situations that range from hilarious to heart-breaking, Elijah and his Buxton friends and family are incredibly real. They display strength, integrity, loyalty, humor, and extreme sacrifice. Hearing about slavery and seeing it for himself are two very different things for Elijah. Readers will feel like they are standing along-side him as he sees for himself the horrors of slavery and struggles to reconcile what he witnesses with his sense of justice. Personally, I wanted to grab the mystery pistol myself and get the job done.
I listened to the audiobook, and Mirron Willis has done an absolutely outstanding job. While it's 8 CDs, and certainly takes much longer to listen to it than it does to read it, I think it's worth it just to hear Willis' narration. He doesn't just read this, he acts it. That's why it's so long--he doesn't rush through; he says every single line like it's coming from a real person feeling every word right from the bottom of his soul. You know when you're talking out loud to your CD player that this is a powerful piece of literature.
I laughed out loud, and I was moved to tears more than once. I cannot recommend it strongly enough. Read it. Today.
(But I still hate this cover. Elijah looks like one of Willie Tyler's ventriloquist dummies. The new, paperback cover is MUCH better.)
Want to read
October 28, 2007Booklist review: *Starred Review* After his mother rebukes him for screaming that hoop snakes have invaded Buxton, gullible 11-year-old Elijah confesses to readers that "there ain't nothing in the world she wants more than for me to quit being so doggone fra-gile." Inexperienced and prone to mistakes, yet kind, courageous, and understanding, Elijah has the distinction of being the first child born in the Buxton Settlement, which was founded in Ontario in 1849 as a haven for former slaves. Narrator Elijah tells an episodic story that builds a broad picture of Buxton's residents before plunging into the dramatic events that take him out of Buxton and, quite possibly, out of his depth. In the author's note, Curtis relates the difficulty of tackling the subject of slavery realistically through a child's first-person perspective. Here, readers learn about conditions in slavery at a distance, though the horrors become increasingly apparent. Among the more memorable scenes are those in which Elijah meets escaped slaves—first, those who have made it to Canada and, later, those who have been retaken by slave catchers. Central to the story, these scenes show an emotional range and a subtlety unusual in children's fiction. 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. Phelan, Carolyn
August 31, 2013
Summary - Elijah of Buxton tells the story of Elijah, the first free-born child born in the settlement of former slaves in Buxton Canada. The story details the experiences Elijah has as he comes of age in the settlement and learns about the lives of his parents and the other former slaves in the settlement.
Curriculum Connection - I would use this book in connection with United States Studies until 1865, particularly SOL USI.8 and USI.9 to help the students better understand and connect with the lives of slaves in the American south, their desire to be free, and their lives after they were able to escape to freedom.
Personal Reaction - Overall I liked this book. I think the author did a great job with character development. I found myself really interested in the lives of the characters and interested in what was happening to them. The drawback for me was that it felt like the plot development was lacking. Most of the book felt like stand alone short stories that helped develop the characters but didn't really get to what the book was all about.
Assessment of Visual Appeal - As this is a juvenile book there are no illustrations at all. However the cover art is bright and attractive. The illustration of Elijah drew me in and made me want to know more about him.
Intended Audience - This book is intended for a juvenile audience. I would place the book between a 4th and 6th grade level and would think it would mainly appeal to boys.
Curriculum Connection - I would use this book in connection with United States Studies until 1865, particularly SOL USI.8 and USI.9 to help the students better understand and connect with the lives of slaves in the American south, their desire to be free, and their lives after they were able to escape to freedom.
Personal Reaction - Overall I liked this book. I think the author did a great job with character development. I found myself really interested in the lives of the characters and interested in what was happening to them. The drawback for me was that it felt like the plot development was lacking. Most of the book felt like stand alone short stories that helped develop the characters but didn't really get to what the book was all about.
Assessment of Visual Appeal - As this is a juvenile book there are no illustrations at all. However the cover art is bright and attractive. The illustration of Elijah drew me in and made me want to know more about him.
Intended Audience - This book is intended for a juvenile audience. I would place the book between a 4th and 6th grade level and would think it would mainly appeal to boys.
July 29, 2017
Elijah of Buxton is one of the best young adults novels I have ever read. The author does an excellent job of weaving historical facts into the story, giving readers a raw glimpse into what those that managed to escape the cruel grip of slavery must have felt. It gives you a new appreciation for the resiliency of Black people who are still standing despite all the terrorism we have endured.
This book made me laugh and cry. I felt so many emotions ranging from contemplative to joy to utter despair. Elijah of Buxton masterfully told the story of a handful of people who were brave enough to escaped north to Canada, "the land of milk and honey." But freedom did not offer ease for their lives. They had to deal with the scars of slavery--emotional, physical and mental--as they worked hard to build new lives for themselves as free people, all while wondering and worrying about the family members they left behind in chains in America.
Elijah, having never been a slave, heard the stories of slavery from his parents, but never truly understood the horrors of it until he was forced to venture out of Canada and into Michigan, where he met a family of slaves. He always wanted to be seen as "growned-up." Well, I think that's exactly how they saw him when returned from Michigan with some very precious cargo.
I'm already reading the sequel, The Madman of Piney Woods.
This book made me laugh and cry. I felt so many emotions ranging from contemplative to joy to utter despair. Elijah of Buxton masterfully told the story of a handful of people who were brave enough to escaped north to Canada, "the land of milk and honey." But freedom did not offer ease for their lives. They had to deal with the scars of slavery--emotional, physical and mental--as they worked hard to build new lives for themselves as free people, all while wondering and worrying about the family members they left behind in chains in America.
Elijah, having never been a slave, heard the stories of slavery from his parents, but never truly understood the horrors of it until he was forced to venture out of Canada and into Michigan, where he met a family of slaves. He always wanted to be seen as "growned-up." Well, I think that's exactly how they saw him when returned from Michigan with some very precious cargo.
I'm already reading the sequel, The Madman of Piney Woods.
October 17, 2020
Elijah is free born, as are some of the other children around him, but the adults in his community, Buxton, are former slaves. Other than that, except for a few details here and there, such as when some newly escaped slaves arrive, the story is mainly a pleasant character study with an interesting, folksy, historical setting, though that is done so well that the settlement of Buxton feels like a character too. Elijah fishes, takes care of horses, attends school, visits a traveling vaudeville show without his parent’s knowledge, etc. I do not know if a ten or eleven year old would keep reading it, especially because of the dialect, but I read it aloud and my son did not protest. The last hundred or so pages is where the action really begins. Most of the tension before that is due to a man who calls himself the Preacher, but the Preacher does something unforgivable. That results in Elijah’s first trip across the border (Buxton is in Canada). Elijah knows something about slavery in the US from the stories of the adults in his community, but he is not at all prepared for its reality, and after all those peaceful, rustic pages neither is the reader, so Elijah’s first glimpse of slavery in the US was as horrific for me as it was for him, a very, very effective ending. Although I definitely felt that ending was worth the wait, the slow buildup did undercut the book’s overall power.
March 10, 2016
*Listened to audiobook version performed by Mirron Willis.
Elijah is an 11-year-old black boy in 1849. He is the first free-born person in the settlement of Buxton, Canada, where many runaway slaves escaped to freedom just across the U.S.-Canada border from Detroit, Michigan. Elijah is often identified as a “fra-gile” boy, which would be an interesting vocabulary study with students as the word takes on a more and more nuanced meaning as we get to know him. Elijah is sensitive as he empathizes with the struggles of his neighbors and family. He strives to be grown, but it is not easy. The ultimate test of his fragility comes when his friend Mr. Leroy’s fortune is stolen in an effort to purchase his wife and children from their slave owner. Elijah must find out if he is grown enough to help Mr. Leroy retrieve the money and free his family.
Curtis provides many stories within the larger story that give a glimpse into life for slaves and former slaves in the 19th century. Curtis says in his author's note that many of his stories are based on documented accounts, though the characters and some details are embellished, of course. I would be confident in using this text as part of a study of slavery for middle grades and up.
*2008 Newbery Honor Book
Elijah is an 11-year-old black boy in 1849. He is the first free-born person in the settlement of Buxton, Canada, where many runaway slaves escaped to freedom just across the U.S.-Canada border from Detroit, Michigan. Elijah is often identified as a “fra-gile” boy, which would be an interesting vocabulary study with students as the word takes on a more and more nuanced meaning as we get to know him. Elijah is sensitive as he empathizes with the struggles of his neighbors and family. He strives to be grown, but it is not easy. The ultimate test of his fragility comes when his friend Mr. Leroy’s fortune is stolen in an effort to purchase his wife and children from their slave owner. Elijah must find out if he is grown enough to help Mr. Leroy retrieve the money and free his family.
Curtis provides many stories within the larger story that give a glimpse into life for slaves and former slaves in the 19th century. Curtis says in his author's note that many of his stories are based on documented accounts, though the characters and some details are embellished, of course. I would be confident in using this text as part of a study of slavery for middle grades and up.
*2008 Newbery Honor Book
June 21, 2008
I wish I had a book club to discuss this book with. Spencer, I think, has opted not to read this one. Darn. So, if anyone chooses to read this book I'd love to talk about it with you!
The whole first part of the book wasn't very interesting. I really had no desire to keep reading it. I could've put it down and forgotten all about it - except that I kept thinking, "This won the NEWBERRY AWARD! Come on! This has to get good at some point!" Finally, towards the end it does get really good. But i think the author could have revised it and cut the book down significantly.
There are many really good points it does bring up through out the book. I like that. However, it does mention suicide. I did not like and think it was appropriate for a Newberry Award winning book - I don't care what people and society say, or even that it is a part what slaves had to deal with, children should not be reading about that. It leaves an impression on innocent children.
Overall, the last part of the book does bring everything together. And I guess you feel like it was worth plowing through. But I wouldn't give it more than 3 stars.
The whole first part of the book wasn't very interesting. I really had no desire to keep reading it. I could've put it down and forgotten all about it - except that I kept thinking, "This won the NEWBERRY AWARD! Come on! This has to get good at some point!" Finally, towards the end it does get really good. But i think the author could have revised it and cut the book down significantly.
There are many really good points it does bring up through out the book. I like that. However, it does mention suicide. I did not like and think it was appropriate for a Newberry Award winning book - I don't care what people and society say, or even that it is a part what slaves had to deal with, children should not be reading about that. It leaves an impression on innocent children.
Overall, the last part of the book does bring everything together. And I guess you feel like it was worth plowing through. But I wouldn't give it more than 3 stars.
September 28, 2011
Elijah is the first free-born baby on the Buxton Settlement in Canada. The story takes place in 1860 and tells the story of Elijah at age 11. Buxton represents hope for former slaves and those trying to reach freedom. As Elijah comes of ages, he tries to overcome the fragility of childhood. He sets out to help his friend, Mr. Leroy, buy his family out of slavery. They journey to America after someone they thought they could trust runs off with Mr. Leroy’s money. On this journey, Elijah shows courage and determination as he finds himself having to make difficult decisions.
This book won a Newbery Medal. It is written in the language of the character, Elijah, which,at first,took me some time to get used to, but makes the book culturally distinct. As I eased in, I became more and more engrossed in the story, and finished it in one day! This novel is perfect for 5th grade students. Although the characters are fictional, the story of Buxton and how it served as a refuge for slaves is real. This book could be used to bridge history and language arts in an integrated unit.
This book won a Newbery Medal. It is written in the language of the character, Elijah, which,at first,took me some time to get used to, but makes the book culturally distinct. As I eased in, I became more and more engrossed in the story, and finished it in one day! This novel is perfect for 5th grade students. Although the characters are fictional, the story of Buxton and how it served as a refuge for slaves is real. This book could be used to bridge history and language arts in an integrated unit.
March 18, 2014
1. When i first found the book I found the cover interesting, and bold. I also noticed the awards it had gotten from many world author organisations.
2. I thought it was a really good book as it showed emotion and a true tale of friendship while being a sad story overall.
3. That with a true heart, comes great courage.
4. I found elijah a kind-hearted character.He was described brave, and a good friend.
He is known for his great impressions and is a funny but silly boy who is always looking for trouble.
2. I thought it was a really good book as it showed emotion and a true tale of friendship while being a sad story overall.
3. That with a true heart, comes great courage.
4. I found elijah a kind-hearted character.He was described brave, and a good friend.
He is known for his great impressions and is a funny but silly boy who is always looking for trouble.
June 9, 2017
I didn't quite do this book justice, because I listened to the audiobook and can never seem to devote as much concentration to books in that format. Also, the blurb was misleading. It implied one plot was the main storyline when in fact that didn't start until past halfway through the book. It's actually episodic, which is fine! But when you're waiting for what you think is the main plot to start for most of the book it makes a weird reading experience. But regardless this was a beautifully done book, both the writing and audiobook narration. Heartbreaking, funny, and real. Elijah was an amazing character. #WeNeedDiverseBooks
September 20, 2019
I didn't really like Elijah at first because he's so gullible that he's an idiot. Many will find this funny but I found it annoying after several chapters; however, in typical Curtis character development, Elijah becomes more than annoying and grows into a thoughtful person who starts thinking for himself. I wasn't sure where the plot was going at first but it becomes clear by the end as the author has some surprising twists and a look at the horrors of slavery. It requires a mature reader.
July 4, 2020
Elijah of Buxton is set in Buxton, Ontario, a settlement on Erie for formerly enslaved people. Christopher Paul Curtis weaves a powerful story, using the comic relief of Elijah's (Huckleberry Finnesque) shenanigans in the first half of the book to give the history of Buxton before Elijah along with the reader experience the full impact of slavery's devastation on human beings. The heavy topics around slavery are not sugar coated, yet are handled in an age appropriate manner.
February 7, 2022
In honor of Black History Month, I've started off February with this novel! It was a boy's entertaining account of life in a free black's settlement in Canada, Buxton, from playing pranks with his friends to welcoming the newly escaped slaves.
This book was written very well, and while Elijah's personality was strong, the plot was lacking. The first three-fourths of the story seemed to be aimless, while fun, rambles about his life, before slowly leading up to a somewhat random and unrelated climax. As I'm more into fast paced plots, I found myself getting bored off and on. Still, the ending was beautiful, leaving me in tears of different emotions!
I feel like this book would be amazing if you are more into character driven stories as the characters are well developed and the writing is beautiful, but if you are more into plot driven books like me, you may get a bit bored with it. I definitely don't regret it, and its message will forever live in my memory, but I don't think I'll be reading it again.
This book was written very well, and while Elijah's personality was strong, the plot was lacking. The first three-fourths of the story seemed to be aimless, while fun, rambles about his life, before slowly leading up to a somewhat random and unrelated climax. As I'm more into fast paced plots, I found myself getting bored off and on. Still, the ending was beautiful, leaving me in tears of different emotions!
I feel like this book would be amazing if you are more into character driven stories as the characters are well developed and the writing is beautiful, but if you are more into plot driven books like me, you may get a bit bored with it. I definitely don't regret it, and its message will forever live in my memory, but I don't think I'll be reading it again.
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