Elijah of Buxton

Emotional, Slavery, Insight, Suspenseful, Discovery

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

Published by Scholastic Press

Copyright 2007

Coretta Scott King Award Winner 2008

Elijah Freeman is a boy who is known for being the first child born free in the Buxton Settlement in Canada. This settlement was made up of escaped salves and their children in 1860. The only experience he has with slavery or racism is secondhand stories from those at the settlement. He was also the one who vomited on the famous Fredrick Douglass. Elijah was dubbed "fragile" because he cried so much and it was hard for him to convince someone that he was ready to be a man. Elijah's friend, Mr. Leroy, gets the money from Mrs. Holton to buy his family's freedom and Mr. Leroy trusts the preacher with his money. The preacher tries to dissapear to Michigan with Mr. Leroy's money. Mr. Leroy wants Elijah to assist him in getting his money back. Elijah's journey to American, across the Detroit River, faces him with slavery and racism. Readers begin to feel what Elijah does as he faces slavery and his efforts to free victims of slavery.

Suggested Delivery: Independent Read, Small Group Read, Read Aloud

Grade Level (Lexile): 1070L, Ages 9-12

Key Vocabulary: contemplating, commence, daft, tormentation, fragile, fretting

Teaching Suggestions:

• Before Reading: Discuss with the class the Underground Railroad. Have you heard of the Underground Railroad? What did it do? Did it help anyone? Why is it called a railroad?
• During Reading: In small groups students will discuss the Preacher. Were there clues in the story that made you think he was not an honest person? Why doesn't the Preacher live in the Buxton Settlement? Why do you think Mr. Leroy trusts the Preacher? Why do you think it takes Elijah so long to admit that he knows the Preacher can't be trusted?
• After Reading: Elijah worries about being "fra-gile" throughout the book. Students will write a response detailing what Elijah means by being "fra-gile". What are some situations where Eliajh is "fra-gile"? Describe a situation where Elijah shows signs of change and of growing into a stronger person.

Writing Activity: Slavery is one of the main themes in this book because most of the characters have been affected by it. Students will write a response about how slavery has left its mark on some of the characters. What do Elijah's parents tell him about slavery and former slaves? What does Elijah learn about slavery on his own?

Electronic Resources:

• Lit Discussion: This website provides several questions that could be used for literature discussions as well as suggestions for activities using Elijah of Buxton. There is also a link to a website that gives information about the author of the book.
• Buxton Settlement: This website provides students with information about the actual Buxton Settlement in Canada. A timeline and information about  important figures from the settlement are also part of this website.

Curtis, C. P. (2007). Elijah of Buxton. New York: Scholastic Press.