Elijah of Buxton

Christopher Paul Curtis's Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award-winning novel, "Elijah of Buxton," introduces readers to Elijah Freeman, the first free-born child in the Canadian settlement of Buxton, a refuge for former slaves. At eleven years old, Elijah has only heard stories of slavery, never experienced its horrors firsthand. When a trusted preacher steals money intended to buy a family's freedom, Elijah bravely ventures into the United States to bring him to justice. This powerful historical fiction offers a unique perspective on the pre-Civil War era, blending humor with the harsh realities of the time. It's a story of courage, justice, and a young boy's awakening to the profound meaning of freedom. Ideal for readers aged 9-12, it's also a compelling read-aloud for slightly younger children, prompting important discussions about history, empathy, and resilience.

Elijah has to go find this former slave that stole a friends money who was planning on buying his family back out of slavery. What happens along the way is terrifying to even think about, friends getting shot, dying, and freeing slaves.