BIBLIOGRAPHY
Curtis,
Christopher Paul. 2009. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. Narrated by Mirron Willis. Unabridged
Edition. New York, NY: Listening Library. ISBN 978-0739367193
PLOT
SUMMARY
ELIJAH OF
BUXTON is told from the perspective of a young free-born boy, whose parents
were once slaves in the United States. His inquisitive and clear innocence gets
him into trouble along the way; however, more than not he learns and grows
through this very inclination to be “fragile.” Elijah’s tale begins from his
birth as the first free-born African American child in the settlement of Buxton
in Canada. It is a haven to those seeking freedom from slavery in the American
South. He must contend with daily chores, fish-head chunking for dinner,
school, and a deviously sinful self-proclaimed preacher. As Elijah battles his
sensitive nature, trying ever so hard to not be “fragile” he is able to help
the adults around him, like Mr. Leroy. Although Elijah does not exactly fulfill
his promise to Mr. Leroy at the end, he does succeed in saving an innocent life
of a would-be slave girl and facing the evil of slavery head on. Elijah and his
free community reveal the true meaning of hope.
CRITICAL
ANALYSIS
ELIJAH OF
BUXTON is both perplexing and blatantly honest at the same time. The setting of
the story, both the time and the place is at first confusing. The names of
famous figures in African American rights, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and
Frederick Douglas are set within the same context of the mid 1800’s. One is
hard pressed to figure out when exactly the story is supposed to take place
until a few chapters in to the tale.
All in all,
Christopher Paul Curtis presents a heart-warming character in a starkly harsh
background of slavery. While the child is not raised in these harsh conditions,
the subject is inevitably posed in the context of him. He is almost sold into a
traveling carnival by the sly preacher, and he ventures into America alongside
Mr. Leroy to retrieve his money. Elijah is a wonderful character, and the
reader enjoys the honesty in his tone and internal speech. In the end, he rings
a metaphoric liberty bell by facing the monster of slavery in all of its naked
horror, and rising as a true liberator saving a baby girl from its clutches.
The
narrator Mirron Willis does an excellent job in his interpretation of the
various character voices. The audio version is more entertaining, making the
reader laugh and cry out loud in response. His voices reverberate throughout
the story. I cannot imagine ever reading the actual book without hearing
Willis’ voice ringing in my ears.
BOOK
EXCERPT(S)
Newberry
Medal Honor 2008
Coretta
Scott King Award Winner
Winner of
AudioFile Earphones Award 2008
"Many
readers drawn to the book by humor will find themselves at times on the edges
of their seats in suspense and, at other moments, moved to tears. A fine,
original novel from a gifted storyteller." Booklist
"Mirron
Willis delivers depth of emotion as he shapes the story's rhythms and pacing.
He successfully shifts from a light comedic tone of much of the story to a tone
of chilling determination when Elijah becomes involved in a dangerous mission
to free a group of slaves." AudioFile
CONNECTIONS
This is a
perfect book to introduce the history of slavery in this country and the
eventual fight of the Civil War that ultimately united our states. It should be
treated with much care, so as not to lead to anything more than a discussion of
the evil of slavery and not a race war.
Other
historic fiction books to read that might spark discussion:
Ryan, Pam
Munoz. ESPERANZA RISING. ISBN 978-0439120425
Lowry,
Lois. NUMBER THE STARS. ISBN 978-0547577098
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