Elijah of Buxton Book Report
Haley Krough
Mr. Hallgren
English II 4th
02-07-10
Elijah of Buxton Christopher Paul Curtis wrote Elijah of Buxton, a Newberry Honor book. This story takes place in the town of Buxton, Canada during the mid 1880’s. Elijah of Buxton is told in first person point of view with Elijah being the main character. Elijah, an eleven-year-old boy, was the first child born free in the town of Buxton. Cooter is Elijah’s best friend, but would sell him out in a second to save his own skin. The Preacher is actually just Zephariah, but he loves to exaggerate everything including his own name. Elijah was always considered a fragile child until an encounter with what he thought he knew and what was right. The Right Reverend Deacon Doctor Zephariah Connerly the Third stole Mr. Leroy’s money meant to buy his family out of slavery. Elijah found out first hand how slaves were treated. He also learned how strong love is. A mother’s love gave her child a free life at the cost of her own. This book is about growing up in a free life while others still are bound to their owners, and are depended on those who are free. Elijah learns even when things seem the worst, there is always something to give life meaning. The protagonist of Elijah of Buxton is Elijah Freeman, and the antagonist is Zephariah Connerly. Elijah is the main character because he is featured in all of the scenes, and he is the narrator of this story. Zephariah is the antagonist because even though he is called the Preacher, Zephariah is a reprobate. When he stole money from a friend to gamble, Elijah went to retrieve the money. Because of Zephariah, Mr. Leroy’s family remained in slavery, but thanks to Elijah, a baby was able to become free. Zephariah would cheat people out of money and anything else they would have. When Elijah caught fish, Zephariah stole four of them by confusing Elijah into thinking one-tenth of ten was four. Zephariah would take advantage on the simpleminded people of Buxton, and he would
Mr. Hallgren
English II 4th
02-07-10
Elijah of Buxton Christopher Paul Curtis wrote Elijah of Buxton, a Newberry Honor book. This story takes place in the town of Buxton, Canada during the mid 1880’s. Elijah of Buxton is told in first person point of view with Elijah being the main character. Elijah, an eleven-year-old boy, was the first child born free in the town of Buxton. Cooter is Elijah’s best friend, but would sell him out in a second to save his own skin. The Preacher is actually just Zephariah, but he loves to exaggerate everything including his own name. Elijah was always considered a fragile child until an encounter with what he thought he knew and what was right. The Right Reverend Deacon Doctor Zephariah Connerly the Third stole Mr. Leroy’s money meant to buy his family out of slavery. Elijah found out first hand how slaves were treated. He also learned how strong love is. A mother’s love gave her child a free life at the cost of her own. This book is about growing up in a free life while others still are bound to their owners, and are depended on those who are free. Elijah learns even when things seem the worst, there is always something to give life meaning. The protagonist of Elijah of Buxton is Elijah Freeman, and the antagonist is Zephariah Connerly. Elijah is the main character because he is featured in all of the scenes, and he is the narrator of this story. Zephariah is the antagonist because even though he is called the Preacher, Zephariah is a reprobate. When he stole money from a friend to gamble, Elijah went to retrieve the money. Because of Zephariah, Mr. Leroy’s family remained in slavery, but thanks to Elijah, a baby was able to become free. Zephariah would cheat people out of money and anything else they would have. When Elijah caught fish, Zephariah stole four of them by confusing Elijah into thinking one-tenth of ten was four. Zephariah would take advantage on the simpleminded people of Buxton, and he would