Bibliography


Curtis, Christopher Paul. 2007. Elijah of Buxton. New York. Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439023440.

Plot Summary


Born to escaped slaves, eleven-year-old Elijah Freeman is the first free-born child in the Canadian settlement of Buxton. Curtis shares tales of Elijah’s daily life, including school, chores, friends, and Elijah’s amazingly accurate talent for “chunking” rocks. Eventually, Elijah ventures into the United States in an attempt to recover stolen funds intended to buy a family’s freedom. Elijah overcomes his tendency to being “fra-gile” and rises to the challenge of the occasion.

Critical Analysis


Drawing characters so believable that I can hear their voices echoing in my head, Curtis populates the real-life settlement of Buxton, Canada with fictional former slaves and their freeborn children in an engaging portrait of life outside of slavery in 1860. Told by eleven-year-old Elijah Freeman and written in the vernacular, the language adds to the development of the characters and their lives. At 338 pages, the plot is a bit slow in developing with the first half of the book consisting mainly of vignettes of daily life; however, these vignettes establish for the reader a clear understanding of the hardships faced as escaped slaves make their way to Buxton, as well as the everyday trials of its inhabitants. They also clearly illustrate character traits critical to the climax of the story.

As the story nears its climax, Elijah and his friend Mr. Leroy embark on a mission to find the duplicitous Preacher and the pilfered funds needed to buy Mr. Leroy’s family out of bondage. But, Elijah suddenly finds himself alone and in danger. Already convinced that he is not as “fra-gile” as his parents might believe, Elijah finally has the chance to prove his capabilities. In a move worthy of all children eager to stretch their wings, Elijah faces tough decisions and takes action to right wrongs.

According to the author’s note, while much of the story is fiction, many of the details are based on actual events and former slaves’ stories. Curtis also incorporates contemporary heroes when Elijah, as the first free-born child in Buxton, welcomes Frederick Douglass and John Brown, who actually did visit the settlement, although at separate times. Calling Buxton “an inspiration,” Curtis strongly encourages the reader to visit the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum where visitors can experience for themselves life in the 1860s.


Awards and Reviews

Newbery Honor Book
Coretta Scott King Award Winner


Starred Review from Booklist - 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."

Connections

Research the Underground Railroad and present a description of what one might find at a “stop” on the road to freedom.