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.

Suggested Book Club Questions for Elijah of Buxton (Fiction)

The following book club questions provide a starting point for creating a reading group discussion on Elijah of Buxton:

• Did Christopher Paul Curtis emphasize any specific themes throughout Elijah of Buxton? What do you think Christopher Paul Curtis is trying to explain with this theme?
• What was unique about the setting of Elijah of Buxton and how did it affect the storyline?
• Could you relate to any of the characters? If so, which ones and why?
• How do characters change or learn throughout Elijah of Buxton? What events caused these changes? Have you or someone you know experienced the same thing?
• How does Elijah of Buxton reveal Christopher Paul Curtis's own perspectives about people and the world? For a lively discussion, describe why you think Christopher Paul Curtis is liberal or conservative.
• Did certain parts of Elijah of Buxton affect you emotionally? Why did it evoke those emotions?
• Did Christopher Paul Curtis's point of view on things lend new perspective to your own view of the world?

Suggested Book Club Questions for Elijah of Buxton (Non-fiction)

The following book club questions provide a starting point for creating a reading group discussion on Elijah of Buxton:

• Did Christopher Paul Curtis make persuasive arguments in Elijah of Buxton? Did Elijah of Buxton change or reinforce your opinion on the subject?
• What did you learn from Elijah of Buxton?
• How does Christopher Paul Curtis present the information and did you enjoy it?
• How is Christopher Paul Curtis biased within Elijah of Buxton? Is there a political slant to what is being discussed and how does it impact the book?
• What, if anything, does Elijah of Buxton make you want to read next? Why?