Elijah of Buxton – Historical Fiction



Bibliography:

Curtis, Christopher Paul. 2007. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. New York: Scholastic Press. 978-0-439-02344-3.

Plot Summary:

Elijah lives in Buxton, Canada just north of the United States border.  He is proudly the first child to be born into freedom in a settlement of runaway slaves.  Elijah is fortunate to be growing up in an area where he has his best friend Cooter, school and a town full of people that know each other but he will soon see what horrific things the settlers of Buxton had to endure during their days as slaves in the United States.  When one of Elijah’s friends is robbed of the money he was going to use to buy his family out of slavery, Elijah sets off on a journey that open his eyes to a world he is not familiar. 

Critical Analysis:

There is a fine line that authors have to be aware of when writing historical fiction and making sure they do not stereotype characters.  Christopher Paul Curtis does an amazing job writing in a style that is indicative of this timeframe but does it in a way that doesn’t ever come across as offensive or demeaning.  He shortens and combines words to capture how they would be spoken in a more broken English and under educated manner that really makes you realize how little or no education many slaves didn’t receive.  A good example of this type of writing is, “And y’all choosed the most beautifullest, most perfectest day for doing it!  Only thing I’s got to ask is, what kept you?” 

Anyone who reads Elijah of Buxton will realize how much research Christopher Paul Curtis had to do to honor who the characters are and the setting of which the story takes place.  Due to this story taking place in the 1800’s Christopher Paul Curtis had to do enough research on Buxton Canada and slavery to create a visual image in his head so he could describe it accurately in his story.  He stated, “This novel came to me in a way that was far different than any other.  From the word ‘go’ Elijah and I became close friends.  When I’d go to the library to write, it was as if he were anxiously waiting for me, waiting to tell about his life, his worries, his adventures.”  This can be seen, heard and felt in Christopher Paul Curtis’ writing. 

Review Excerpts and Awards:

Newbery Honor

Coretta Scott King Author Award

Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction

TD Children’s Literature Book Award

CLA Book of the Year

Governor General’s Literary Award for Children’s Literature Finalist

Connections:

·         This book discusses slavery, this is a perfect opportunity for children to delve deeper into the United States’ history and learn more about slavery.  Where did slaves come from?  How were they captured?  What states practiced slavery?  A classroom of children could ask questions about slavery, compile a list and each student could be responsible for researching the information and bringing it back to the class and sharing it.  Slavery is a difficult topic to discuss but to do it as an open forum of question and answer would help all students learn and get the information.