Elijah of Buxton

By: Christopher Paul Curtis

Narrated by: Mirron Willis

Eleven-year-old Elijah is the first child born into freedom in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves just over the border from Detroit. He’s best known in his hometown as the boy who made a memorable impression on Frederick Douglass. But things change when a former slave steals money from Elijah’s friend, who has been saving to buy his family out of captivity in the South. Elijah embarks on a dangerous journey to America in pursuit of the thief, and he discovers firsthand the unimaginable horrors of the life his parents fled–a life from which he’ll always be free, if he can find the courage to get back home.©2007 Christopher Paul Curtis; (P)2008 Random House, Inc.

Wonderful

The narration by Mirron Willis is outstanding. The story was captivating, and is a bittersweet story of the sorrow and joy of freedom from slavery. Listened with my 13 year old who enjoyed it as well.

Great!

Great story! I use this book in my 7th grade classes and it’s a great listen. The story helps students understand slavery more but the performance is phenomenal too!

Great Book, but not for young children

The message of this story is very good and it is very well written. I love the language or voice that this book brings. Like a few of the recent Newberry Award Winners, there are a few themes that are not appropriate for younger audiences. There is talk about people breeding, and graphic descriptions of slaves naked in chains. I think that it is important that people come to understand the inhumanity of slavery, and this book is a fantastic book to address this issue. Although this is a horrific tragedy, the book also focuses on the triumphs and joys of freedom. It is a fantastic book for middle and high school audiences.

Amazing story!!!

This book was so moving and helped me learn more about Buxton. I loved listening to all these amazing adventures Elijah did. Great book!

very good

the narrator did very good with the different voices I think it was good, very good