Historical Fiction- Elijah of Buxton

Curtis, Paul Christopher. 2007. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 139780439023443
Eleven year old Elijah is the first free- born child in Buxton. Buxton is a settlement in Canada that has been established for slaves that escape America. Elijah never knew any other life than one that had love, family, friends, school and a home. He likes to eavesdrop “on growned folks’ conversations.” He was beginning to catch on that somethings that “Preacher” does “waren’t” good.
The closest that Elijah gets to slavery is when there is a rumor of “slave catchers” are headed to the settlement and when newly escaped slaves arrive in Buxton. Elijah has heard the stories and watches as others work to raise the money to buy their families back. It is not until Mr.LeRoy has his money stolen by the “Preacher” that Elijah really experiences what it means to be “ free- child.” Elijah feels responsible for the money being stolen, as he assured Mr. Leroy that the “Preacher” wouldn’t take his money. With that guilt he rides to America with Mr. LeRoy to right the wrong. With an address in his pocket the two of head to find “ Benjamin Alston. 1509 Wilbur Place.” With luck they locate Mr. Alston but he is not able to help. He does lead them to “East Lee stable.” Along the way Mr. LeRoy dies and leaves Elijah alone. Elijah decides he has to make things right and get the money back. He finds the stable and the “Preacher” and a lot more. The “Preacher “ is dead and the bundles that are moving are captured run-away slaves and a baby. Elijah finally understands what grown up talk means when he realizes he can not help the four chained slaves, but with the mother’s blessing he can save the baby. Elijah comes back to Buxton with a baby that will have the chance to grow up free.
Crictical Analysis
Elijah and his family could be a family of today. The sense of family, friends and community are the same today as in 1860. The children go to school to learn, they give back to their settlement through helping neighbors and have the daily struggles of what is right and wrong. The children work in the fields and fish in the lake and go to school in Buxton. We find out in the Author’s Note in the back of the book, that Buxton is a real place. It has documented history and is now a historic site. Much of the story is based on facts and other events are constructed around people and events that were part of the history. Christopher Paul Curtis uses Canadian and regional dialects throughout the text. The dialect made reading the text a little more difficult at times. There are words and phrases that needed a extra attention to understand at first. As you read the dialect and vocabulary becomes familiar and expected. It made the story more authentic enjoyable.
Awards and Reviews
Newberry Honor Book( 2008)
Coretta Scott King Award (2008)
Booklist (March 1, 2009 (Vol. 105, No. 13))- Especially appealing is the credible-sounding dialect, which lends authority to this tale of a spunky youngster navigating the Buxton Settlement, a haven for former slaves.
Criticas (December 15, 2008)- Curtis's talent for dealing with painful periods of history with grace and sensitivity is as strong as ever.
Booklist starred (September 1, 2007 (Vol. 104, No. 1))- A fine, original novel from a gifted storyteller.
Kirkus Review starred August 15, (2007)- 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."
Publishers Weekly (September 10, 2007)- The powerful ending is violent and unsettling, yet also manages to be uplifting

Connections
I can see using this book with older students in many areas of the curriculum. The writing style and use of dialect is an excellent example of how it can affect a story. The words and the authentic vocabulary help connect the reader to the story and convey the emotion and strength of the characters. This book can be an introduction to what life was like for those who made it to Canada and how the lives of those who came after and those who were born FREE there. It would make an excellent continuation of the study of that time period in our history. It also can be used in a study on Canada. There is an excellent web-site that can be used to get started on a study of what was fiction and what is based on history in the book. The web-site is http://www.buxtonmuseum.com/. Using this book as an author study or in an Award Winning Book collection works as well. This is a book I can see generating a lot of discussion about what is right and wrong and how choices are made and influenced. I have already recommended this book to a colleague who was developing a unit about Canada.