Elijah of Buxton

by Christopher Paul Curtis  |  Grades: 5-8  |  Lexile 980  |  Reading Level 5.4

Eleven-year-old Elijah is the first child born into freedom in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves just over the border from Detroit. He's best known in his hometown as the boy who made a memorable impression on Frederick Douglass. But things change when a former slave steals money from Elijah's friend, who has been saving to buy his family out of captivity in the South. Elijah embarks on a dangerous journey to America in pursuit of the thief, and he discovers firsthand the unimaginable horrors of the life his parents fled -- a life from which he'll always be free, if he can find the courage to get back home.

Newbery Medalist and CSK Award winner Christopher Paul Curtis's middle-grade/young-YA novel features his trademark humor, compelling storytelling, and unique narrative voice.

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