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librarinurse23's review against another edition
4.0
As always, Christopher Paul Curtis managed to make me laugh and cry in the span of a few pages.
sport862's review against another edition
5.0
We are listening to the tapes which are beautifully read. It is a moving story.
aradne's review against another edition
4.0
Elijah is a 'fragile' boy- or at least that's what his mother calls him. He hasn't been exposed to the hardness as life the way that she has because he was born free.
I was most struck in this book by the liberty bell and the description given of a family entering Buxton for the first time.
I was most struck in this book by the liberty bell and the description given of a family entering Buxton for the first time.
lace_m_3's review against another edition
4.0
Read this aloud to the kids. We really enjoyed it! Challenged me because of the dialect and because Ems was listening I edited a few intense scenes towards the end.
cdel1313's review against another edition
5.0
What a great book - I loved the main character, Elijah, the first free boy born in the settlement of Buxton, Canada. And yes, I cried at the end. Almost completely satisfying, yet real portrait of the struggle slaves went through to get to freedom.
greenlivingaudioworm's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, and Alcohol
elsanore's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kim_j_dare's review against another edition
4.0
Gr 4-8-Eleven-year-old Elijah Freeman has two claims to fame: he was the first free black to have been born in Buxton, an actual settlement in Canada established in 1849 by the abolitionist Reverend William King; and, during his infancy, he threw up all over the visiting Frederick Douglass. Elijah is an engaging protagonist, and whether he is completing his chores or lamenting his Latin studies or experiencing his first traveling carnival, his descriptions are full of charm and wonder. Although his colloquial language may prove challenging for some readers, it brings an authenticity and richness to the story that is well worth the extra effort that it might require. While some of the neighbors believe Elijah to be rather simple, and even his mother tends to overprotect her "fra-gile" boy, his true character shines out when a disaster occurs in the close community. Elijah's neighbor, Mr. Leroy, has been saving money for years to buy freedom for his wife and children who are still in the U.S. When this money is stolen, Elijah blames himself for inadvertently helping the thief and, risking capture by slave catchers, crosses the border into Detroit to get it back. His guileless recounting of the people he meets and the horrors he sees will allow readers to understand the dangers of the Underground Railroad without being overwhelmed by them. Elijah's decisions along the way are not easy ones, but ultimately lead to a satisfying conclusion. Curtis's talent for dealing with painful periods of history with grace and sensitivity is as strong as ever.-Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.