Elijah of Buxton

For my first entry, I chose Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis. This title has won a Newberry Honor as well as A Coretta Scott King award. Before I even began this class, I was at the bookstore with my daughters, and she saw the book on the shelf and asked me if I would buy it for her. I thought it was odd, as normally they enjoy fantasy books about talking animals and such, but I enjoy it when they choose to read diverse books and agreed to purchase it for her. She mentioned that they had it at the school library and it was a popular book. 

The story of Elijah is one of an eleven year old boy who was born in Buxton, Canada. He was the first child to be born into freedom, and the town of his birth was a runaway slave settlement slightly north of Detroit. The plot thickens when a former slave steal's money from Elijah's friend, leading him on an adventure to America, where Elijah witnesses the horrible life styles similar to what his parent's experienced as slaves. Elijah is lucky to know he will never experience such a life, but needs to get back home, and find the courage to get there. 

There are no accompanying illustrations in this novel, but upon analyzing it, the story certainly follows that of historical fiction by recreating life in the past by use of realistic fictional characters, historical settings; and events (Galda, Cullinan, & Sipe, 2010). By using a historical fiction genre, Curtis has enabled the readers to experience events that could have actually occurred, allowing children to experience what it would be like for a young free boy stumbling upon the horrific slave life that his parents escaped. Further analysis reveals that in a typical manner of historical fiction "The stories are usually told through the perspective of a child or adolescent who is living life in a particular time and place" (Galda, Cullinan, & Sipe, 2010, p.17), which Curtis effectively does in Elijah of Buxton.

Motivational activities surrounding reader response could include projects surrounding a family tree, where the readers create a family tree based upon the main character, drawing pictures of relatives and writing about their personalities, and importance to the character. A second project idea could be a newspaper taken from a day during the book that would include headlines, advertisements; and editorials relating to the characters and the stories outlined in the book itself. The book has many headline capabilities, and the readers could make ad's for the dry good store, and write editorials about freedom, slavery; and the effects of theft.

 Saint Leo's core value of respect, is defined as "Animated in the spirit of Jesus Christ, we value all individuals’ unique talents, respect their dignity, and strive to foster their commitment to excellence in our work. Our community’s strength depends on the unity and diversity of our people, on the free exchange of ideas, and on learning, living, and working harmoniously" (Saint Leo University, 2013). This core value fits in well with the story behind Elijah of Buxton because it encourages not only understanding and respect for those who were slaves, but as the diversity of such a story, which provides tools for readers to become united in understanding for what occurred during the time of Elijah and his family. The freeing of the slaves and their ability to live, learn; and work harmoniously with others provides key morals and ideals for readers.

References

Curtis, C. P. (2007). Elijah of Buxton. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Galda, L., Cullinan, B. E., & Sipe, L. R. (2010). Literature and the Child. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cenage Learning.

Saint Leo University. (2013). Core Values at Saint Leo: The First Florida Catholic University. Retrieved Jul 14, 2013, from http://www.saintleo.edu/about/florida-catholic-university.aspx