I am reading this book to my class. They have loved this more than any book I have read so far. Christopher Paul Curtis is a master of children's literature.
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Elijah of Buxton
(2007, Fiction - Historical Fiction, Written by Christopher Curtis)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Humorous, powerful, masterful escaped-slave tale.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 9 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Elijah of Buxton
Parents need to know that, while this isn't as graphic as some books about slavery, it has its share of horrors, including beating deaths (only the aftermath described), lynching, scars from beatings and brandings, and adults and children shackled, starved, and deprived of water.
Read our full review by Matt Berman
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about Pa's statement regarding escaped slaves: "Don't no one get out of America without paying some terrible cost, without having something bad done permanent to 'em, without having something cut off of 'em or burnt into 'em or et up inside of 'em." What does his statement mean, and do you think it was true? How is it shown in each of the characters in the book?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
My fifth graders LOVE it!
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Excellent tale of slavery
The book is illustrated by the character's slave-like dialect that sets the tone for the book. Its plot trails off a little at the end, but while you're reading it you feel as if you were in the slavery times. You gotta read this book.
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
Good discussion and lots of laughs.
I read this to my daughter (9) and my son (7), and they both loved it. The over all plot is a little weak, but each chapter is almost like a mini story. The author does well mixing the funny with the serious for a well balanced book. It deals with the real horrors of slavery in a very real way for kids this age. The older they are the more they would understand about what the author is writing about.
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
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Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 50% | of parents say it's educational |
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