A Downright Great Read

Until now. Christopher Paul Curtis' book Elijah of Buxton is not only a fantastic read in its own right, it also takes place in a time and place shaped by American slavery: 1859, in the Canadian settlement which became a haven for escaped slaves from the south. His narrator and protagonist is young Elijah, the first child born free in Buxton, who is a self-professed 'fraidy-cat best know in the settlement for vomiting on Frederick Douglass as a baby.

Elijah's life, like that of the other residents of Buxton, is a happy one. He's content to do his chores, catch fish, and get into sticky predicaments with his best friend Cooter. Occasionally, a new group of scared, runaway slaves is welcomed into the community, and the whole town gathers to celebrate.

But life isn't easy in Buxton. Most families are hoping and praying that their spouses, parents, and children will make it out of slavery to join them, and the infrequent news from across the border is not always good. When Mrs. Holton learns that her husband has been whipped to death, she gives the money she'd been saving to buy him out of slavery to Mr. Leroy, who's been working day and night to buy his family from out of the South. But circumstances stand in his way, and soon it's up to Elijah to make the perilous journey across the border to save the day.

The author's superb story-telling abilities make this a book that's both accessible for kids, and enjoyable for adults. Curtis strikes the perfect balance between humor, with Elijah's unique voice, and the looming threat of slavery, just a few hours ride to the south. His treatment of the subject never shies away from, nor fixates on, the harsh realities that his characters face. Instead, he tells the tale with a balanced blend of family life, friends, humor, and day-to-day problems, so any young reader will recognize themselves in the character of the “fra-gile” Elijah. A great read for middle readers, Elijah of Buxton is the perfect pick to bring history to life.