Elijah of Buxton

By: Christopher Paul Curtiss
Publisher: Turtleback Books: A Division of Sanval
Copyright: 2009

Eleven-year-old Elijah Freeman was the first born child into freedom in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves just over the border from Detroit. But now Elijah is more known as “fra-gile” according to his momma. However, when a former slave calling himself the Right Reverend Zephariah W. Connerly the Third steals money from Elijah's friend Mr. Leroy, who has been saving to free his enslaved family in the South. Elijah joins Mr. Leroy on a dangerous journey to America to the find the preacher and get Mr. Leroy’s money back. Elijah discovers firsthand the horrific life his parents fled from in America. Will Elijah make it back to freedom in Buxton?

Suggested Delivery: Guided Reading


Lexile Level: 1070L

Key Vocabulary: settlement, slavery, free slave, druthers, blaspheming, ornery

Web Resources:
Meet the Author: Students can view can interview with Christopher Paul Curtis http://www.scholastic.com/browse/video.jsp ID=1640183585&bcpid=1640183585& bclid=1683701960&bctid=1688353494 

Audio Tape: Students can listen to the author read the first chapter of the book http://www.randomhouse.com/audio/catalog/display.php?isbn=9780739367193

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: Students will complete an anticipation guide, then they will view a short video that will give them background information of the setting of the book and the life that Elijah was living http://www.scholastic.com/browse/video.jsppID=1640149541&bcpid=1640149541&bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAFv844g~,BASb5BU03X-iSxP2xnUo82nI3lwCMiDm&bclid=1557820329&bctid=1731910630

After Reading: Students will create their own book trailer for Elijah of Buxton.


Writing: Students will respond to the question: If you were in Elijah's shoes would you help Mr. Leory (knowing all the risk)?Explain your answer with reasoning.