Elijah of Buxton

I was told at TLA that Christopher Paul Curtis said this is his favorite book. For a person who loved Bud Not Buddy like me, I couldn't see how this could be. Having read Elijah, I would say I still like Bud Not Buddy a little more, but this is a worthy sibling.

Elijah is the first child born free in Canada to former American slaves. Buxton is a real town in Canada that was founded by a Presbyterian minister in the 1800's as a refuge for American slaves and as a place to make a brand new, wonderful start.

This was a novel of great hope and terrible sadness. One of the last big scenes in the book, the scene that takes place in the barn, is a scene of heart-wrenching sadness and yet beautiful hopefulness. Newbery Honor.