ELIJAH OF BUXTON by Christopher Paul Curtis

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Curtis, Christopher Paul. 2007. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439023440

PLOT SUMMARY

Eleven-year-old Elijah Freeman is the first free born child in Buxton, a Canadian community developed by runaway American slaves. Elijah’s normally carefree life takes a serious turn when he gets caught up the turmoil of betrayal, theft, murder and slavery. Left on his own in Detroit, Michigan Elijah braves slave catchers as well as his own fears to do what he knows in his heart is the right thing.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Although populated with fictional characters, Christopher Paul Curtis recreates the historical community of Buxton, Canada. Curtis sprinkles historical facts such as the founding of Buxton by Reverend William King, visits by Frederick Douglass and John Brown, and the ringing of the Buxton Liberty Bell when runaway slaves made their way into the community. Curtis also provides a look into the practice of slavery in America, giving the reader a glimpse of not only the hardships endured while slaves, but also the ordeal of escaping and making the harrowing journey to freedom in Canada. Elijah admits that even as a child of former slaves he could not grasp the dreadfulness of a slave’s life. “I can see our playing didn’t have nothing to do with the truth. I could see how it was a whole lot harder when things were real and you had to worry ‘bout shotguns and chains and coughing little babies and crying folks without no clothes.”

Curtis takes time to develop his characters and gives the readers a chance to come to know their strengths and weaknesses. By the time Elijah has to face his fears, the reader knows how much courage it takes for him to continue searching for the Preacher alone after Mr. Leroy dies. The reader can relate to the characters in the story. For the most part Elijah and his friend Cooter are typical eleven-year-old boys who like to fish and play practical jokes. The young adult reader will also relate to Elijah’s confusion at getting conflicting advice from his parents, such as when his mother tells him to be respectful of adults, but then tells him not to believe everything they say. “One minute Ma, who’s got a good head for thinking, tells me I got to respect everything what growned folks say and the next minute she’s wanting me not to believe some of the things the same growned folks tell me!”

Elijah’s speech pattern and use of language is typical of the time, and while Curtis does use some dialect it does not overpower the text. Young readers will be able to get a feel for the language of the time and place without affecting their comprehension of the overall story. Curtis also manages an effective balance between dialogue and narration.

Overall Curtis portrays a free black community where people live, work, and love during a time when slavery was the norm. In this coming-of-age story, young readers will be able to relate to the theme of overcoming fear to help others while learning about oneself in the process. The reader will also gain an understanding of the historical importance of Buxton not only through the story, but also from the Author’s Note at the end of the book.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

BOOKLIST: “Many readers drawn to the book by humor will find themselves at times on the edges of the seats in suspense, and, at other moments, moved to tears. A fine, original novel from a gifted storyteller.”

KIRKUS: “This is not a zip-ahead-and-see-what-happens-next novel. It’s for settling into and savoring the rich, masterful storytelling, for getting to know Elijah, Cooter, and the Preacher, for laughing at stories of hoop snakes, toady-frogs and fish-head chunking and crying when Leroy finally get money to buy back his wife and children, but has the money stolen. Then Elijah journeys to America and risks his life to do what’s right. This is Curtis’s best novel yet, and no doubt many readers, young and old, will finish and say, “This is one of the best books I have ever read.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Elijah's decisions along the way are not easy ones, but ultimately lead to a satisfying conclusion. Curtis's talent for dealing with painful periods of history with grace and sensitivity is as strong as ever.”

CONNECTIONS

Students could conduct their own research on the community of Buxton as well as slavery in America.

Other books by Christopher Paul Curtis:
Curtis, Christopher Paul. BUD, NOT BUDDY. ISBN 0385323069
Curtis, Christopher Paul. THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM--1963: A NOVEL. ISBN 0385321759
Curtis, Christopher Paul. MR. CHICKEE'S MESSY MISSION. ISBN 0440229227

Other Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction winners:
MacLachlan, Patricia. SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL. ISBN 0060241020
Bat-Ami, Miriam. TWO SUNS IN THE SKY. ISBN 0812629000
Taylot, Mildred D. THE LAND. ISBN 0803719507