Bibliographic Information:
Curtis, C. P. (2007). Elijah of Buxton. New York: Scholastic Press.
Readability Level: 7.8
Audience Level: Grades 5-7
Suggested Delivery: read aloud or independent read
Summary: "Eleven-year-old Elijah lives in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves near the American border. He's the first child in town to be born free, and he ought to be famous just for that. Unfortunately, all that most people see is a "fra-gile" boy who's scared of snakes and talks too much. But everything changes when a former slave steals money from Elijah's friend, who has been saving to buy his family out of captivity in the South. Now it's up to Elijah to track down the thief--and his dangerous journey just might make a hero out of him, if only he can find the courage to get back home."
-Amazon.com
Curtis, C. P. (2007). Elijah of Buxton. New York: Scholastic Press.
Readability Level: 7.8
Audience Level: Grades 5-7
Suggested Delivery: read aloud or independent read
Summary: "Eleven-year-old Elijah lives in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves near the American border. He's the first child in town to be born free, and he ought to be famous just for that. Unfortunately, all that most people see is a "fra-gile" boy who's scared of snakes and talks too much. But everything changes when a former slave steals money from Elijah's friend, who has been saving to buy his family out of captivity in the South. Now it's up to Elijah to track down the thief--and his dangerous journey just might make a hero out of him, if only he can find the courage to get back home."
-Amazon.com
Curriculum Connections:
Taken from Scholastic
Taken from Scholastic
- Have students take a virtual journey on the Underground Railroad (www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad). Write a brief paper titled "My Journey to Freedom." Find out about the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. Why did this law make it risky for African Americans living in the Settlement, which was in Canada, to cross over to Detroit, which was in the USA? How did the law make it unsafe even for those born in freedom, like Elijah Freeman?
- Write a letter that Elijah Freeman might write to Frederick Douglass relating his experience as the youngest conductor on the Underground Railroad. Explain how this journey changes Elijah's life.
- Traditional songs are closely connected to the history of African Americans. "Wade in the Water," "The Gospel Train," and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" are among the many songs of the Underground Railroad. Read the lyrics of these songs (www.negrospirituals.com/news-song/index.htm) and discuss how these songs symbolized freedom to those who were trying to escape a life of bondage. What other songs at this site represent freedom? Which songs do you enjoy? Can you relate to any of them today? Divide students into small groups and ask each group to perform one of the freedom songs for the class.