Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
Title: Elijah of Buxton
Illustrator: Christopher Paul Curtis
Readability score: Grades3-5
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Historical Theme: the issues of slavery and how he was lucky to escape it
Primary and secondary characters:
Awards: Coretta Scott King 2008, 2008 Newbery Medal, Booklist Top 10 Blackhistory for Youth
Publishing company: Scholastic Pres
Date of publication: 2007
ISBN number: 9780439023443
Summary: This is the story of a young boy who was born into freedom in Canada, which was the place of settlement for runaway slaves. Elijah is well known in his hometown as the boy that threw up on Frederick Douglass when he was a baby. A former slave, who is also a preacher, steals money from Elijah's friend, Mr. Leroy, who was saving money to buy his family out of slavery in the south. Elijah joins him on an adventurous and dangerous journey to America for the preacher who stole from them. Elijah discovers firsthand the scary life his parents escaped from, in which he will always be free, until he can find the courage to head back home.
This book is heart wrenching, while having its humorous moments, it takes a boy on a journey into how slavery was for his parents. This book will open student's eyes up to history and the period of slavery. It will also focus on issues such as theft, friendship, and travel. I would use this book with a history lesson on slavery from a young child's point of view.
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