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Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

 


Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis is a Newberry Honor Book that also won a Coretta Scott King Award.  Set in 1859, Elijah is the first child that is born in freedom in Buxton, Ontario, which is a settlement for former slaves.  Elijah lives with his parents, goes to school, and is able to go fishing after his chores.  However, he is surrounded by the talk of the brutality slaves have suffered enslaved and on the run.  Many of Elijah´s neighbors work hard to gather money to buy loved ones that are slaves.  One day news arrives about a neighbor´s loved one.  Elijah is asked to read the letter since many cannot read.  Elijah has to let the woman know that her loved one has passed away.  The woman decides to give all of the money she had collected Mr. Leroy, who still has a chance to free his family.  Elijah and his father decide to help Mr. Leroy get his family back.

Curtis, C. P. (2018). Elijah of Buxton. Scholastic Press. 

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