Author/Illustrator: Christopher Paul Curtis
Plot Summary: We are introduced to Elijah Freeman, an eleven year old boy who lives with his parents in the free settlement of Buxton in Ontario, Canada. Although he is described by his mother as "fragile," we come to find that he is funny, witty, smart, resourceful and kind. The settlement was populated with runaway slaves from the U.S. and Elijah was the first child born free. The first half of the book describes his family, neighbors and adventures. We see the lighter side of his life at the beginning of the book when he conspires with his best friend, Cooter, to put a "toady-frog" in his mother's knitting basket. He describes the visit to Buxton by Frederick Douglass where the infant Elijah gets tossed in the air during a speech and celectration, and proceeds to throw up on Mr. Douglass. Elijah is a hard-working and contientious young man, working when he can and developing relationships with the grown-ups around him. He receives an education as do the other children in the settlement. In turn, they must do the reading and writing for many of the grown-ups who did not have the opportunity for schooling as slaves. The last third of the book becomes a bit more somber as Elijah is involved with a neighbor trying to buy his family's freedom. The realities of slavery are harsh but the book gives a realistic portrayal that should prove to make this unfortunate part of our country's history come alive. In addition, the story culminate with Elijah demonstrating his wit, bravery, and intelligence; a most admirable young man.
Comments: I initially found it hard to get in to this book but once I did, I enjoyed it. The dialect is a bit difficult to read and I don't know if a young person would find this difficult to read and understand. There is either less of it in the second half of the book or else you get used to it after awhile. The first half of the book is bit disjointed in that it introduces the various characters in Elijah's life and tells a number of different stories to illustrate his relationships with them and also the describe their way of life. The last third of the book focuses on one, individual story which describes most graphically the realities of slavery.
Extensions:
1. This book would make a great read-aloud for fifth grade during their study of the Civil War. Middle school students could read it independently or it could be used as a book group choice.
2. http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=31083 - This Scholastic site include extension activities across the curriculum.
3. See websites listed below for more extension ideas.
Themes/keywords: freedom, slavery, North Buxton (Ont.) Canada, historical fiction, .Buxton settlement
Age/Reading Level: Interest level: 3 - 6; ATOS - 5.4; Follett - 5.7; Lexile - 1070
Standards:
SS5H1: The student will explain the causes, major events, and consequences of the Civil War.
Publisher's Info: Scholastic Press, Inc. New York 2007
ISBN: 13 - 978-0-439-02344-3; 10 - 0-439-02344-0
Awards/Review Sources:
Wilson's Children 01/01/09
Wilson's Junior High School 11/01/08
Newbery Medal/Honor 01/14/08
School Library Journal starred 10/01/07
Notable/Best Books (A.L.A.) 01/01/08
Book Links (A.L.A.) 01/01/09
Booklist starred 09/01/07
Horn Book starred 11/01/07
Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction 2008
(Coretta Scott) King Medal Award 2008
Genre/Dewey: Juvenile Fiction
Websites:
1. http://www.suzyred.com/2008elijah.html - This page includes a number of excellent links including multi-media links.
2. This is the website for the Buxton Settlement - http://www.buxtonmuseum.com/history/hist-SETTLEMENT.html. This includes extensive resources for extension ideas, field trips, web-based exhibits and visitor information.
3. http://content.scholastic.com/browse/collection.jsp?id=49 - Author study with Christopher Paul Curtis
Notes for Booktalk:
p. 158 - the second hardest step in making yourself free is the first step. The hardest step is the last step in to freedom
Vocabulary: conjure, cloakroom, Settlement, "familiarity breeds contempt", commence, endure
Comments