This year I plan to read all the GA Book Award Nominees and provide a “one stop” resource for teachers who would like to use these books in their classrooms. I will be posting links to author Web sites, teacher’s guides, and related Web links. I hope to make this an unbiased resource, so I will not be providing my own review of the books–other than recommending it as a read aloud (or not).
Elijah Of Buxton
Summary: Eleven-year-old Elijah Freeman, the first free-born child in Buxton, Canada, which is a haven for slaves fleeing the American South in 1859, uses his wits and skills to try to bring to justice the lying preacher who has stolen money that was to be used to buy a family’s freedom.
Author Web Site: http://www.nobodybutcurtis.com
Author Resources:
Author Interview @ Reading Rockets
http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/curtis/transcript
Biography of Christopher Paul Curtis @ Random House
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/christopherpaulcurtis/christophercurtis.htm
Biography and Interview (Text) @ Kidsread.com
http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/au-curtis-christopher-paul.asp
Biography @ Scholastic Web Site
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=3261
Teacher’s Guides for Bud, Not Buddy and The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 @ Random House Web Site
Video Interview by Scholastic (Part I and II)
Description: YouTube Videos of Interview with Christopher Paul Curtis
Please view this version of the videos, as it is from the original source, if possible.
Part I URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5HkR1o2LiI
Part II URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaky2QAapVw
Description: YouTube Videos of Interview with Christopher Paul Curtis
This posting of the same videos is for schools who cannot access YouTube due to content filtering. Please view the video from the original source if possible.
Teacher Resources:
Booktalk @ Scholastic Web Site Including Link to Video Version of Booktalk
Discussion Guide @ Scholastic Web Site
Extension Activities @ Scholastic Web Site Including Web Links
Related Links: Elgin Settlement at Buxton
History of the Elgin Settlement @ the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum
Related Links: Frederick Douglass
A Short Biography of Frederick Douglass (Links to Additional Information)
Frederick Douglass @ Africans in America by PBS (Links to Teacher’s Guide)
Frederick Douglass @ America’s Stories from America’s Library (Library of Congress/Primary Resources)
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
Related Links: John Brown
John Brown @ Africans in American by PBS (Links to Teacher’s Guide)
The Kennedy Farmhouse @ johnbrown.org (Staging Site for Raid on Harpers Ferry)
Related Links: Liberty Bell of Buxton
News Article on Symbolism of Buxton Liberty Bell
News Release with Photos @ the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Web Site
Related Links: Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad: Presented by National Geographic Online
Read Aloud Recommendation: I am ambivalent about my recommendation on this book. I do not want to turn anyone off to the story. I think it is a “must read” for students in grades 5 and up, but I have to be straightforward with teachers who may be looking for a page turning, “keep ‘em on the edge of their seats” read aloud. I found the first half of the book difficult to read because I found it hard to relate to the main character, Elijah. In fact, it took me longer to read this book than any of the other Georgia Book Award nominees. I think that the dialect and the author’s use of stories within the story distant the reader at first. However, the last six chapters of the book redeemed it for me. The last part of the book is very powerful, particularly the scene in the barn where Elijah finds five captured slaves. It will make students think about slavery in terms that a dry textbook will never be able to do. Because this book explores the topic of slavery from a different perspective, that of a child born into freedom in the Canadian settlement of Buxton, and because of the humor in the story, I believe students will find the first part of the book enlightening and enjoyable, but slow paced. However, they will find the last part of the book exciting, moving, and memorable. I highly recommend this title for students (grades 5 and up) who are learning about the history of slavery in the United States.