i think that elijah of buxton is a pretty good book. this is coming from an 11 year old. i think that it is ok for children 8 and up. they need to know what slavery is to first read the book.all of the students i know that read this book think its pretty good too. But dont give up on the book. i know the begining of the book is boring but it really takes off at the end. So read it!
Elijah of Buxton
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
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
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Role models:
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
This review of Elijah of Buxton was written by Matt Berman
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.
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?
- What do you think about the aftermath of slavery?
More on Elijah of Buxton
Book Summary
His closest experience of slavery has been the occasional rumors of slave catchers in the area, and when newly escaped slaves arrive at the settlement. That is, until the money Mr. Leroy was saving to buy the rest of his family out of slavery is stolen. Then Elijah, feeling partly responsible, agrees to cross over to America to try to get it back.
Includes Author's Note on Buxton, a real place, now an historic site.
Is It Any Good?
Despite one of the more hideous dust jackets in recent memory (you might want to remove the dust jacket before recommending it to a child), this wonderful, moving novel is sure to become a staple of discussion groups in schools and libraries across the country. Curtis' signal contribution to children's literature is his creation of novels that address important historical issues and events in an emotionally powerful, intellectually challenging, compassionate way, yet are simply rollicking good fun as well.
Publisher’s Details
Number of pages: 341, Price: $16.99 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 9, Read Alone: 10
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
Perfect for kids that have very good comprehention
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
Can't Really Understand It
I'm reading it for this thing we're doing in fourth grade. I can't really understand what it's saying, but it's a great book!
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I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
DO NOT READ THIS BOOK
I did not enjoy this book at all. Don't waste your time reading it.
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
Hard To Understand The Way It's Written
I bought it at the used book store and by the start it was very boring and hard to read because its written where people talk like "he ole know hes gone" for example and thats not from the book
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
My fifth graders LOVE it!
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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