"One helping one to uplift all."
"One helping one to uplift all." is The Buxton Settlement Creed and is the theme of the book Elijah Of Buxton
is a delightful (and instructional) narrative about the first freeborn child in the Buxton Settlement in western Ontario. When I decided to pick this book up I was anticipating a humorous story of a young boy growing up in Canada. Instead I wound up with a book on par with Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn -- a touch of humor, adventure, history and perspective.
As much time as Americans discussing the slavery issue, this is my first exposure to the Promised Land of Canada. Many freed (and escaped) slaves crossed the border in search of a home and freedom from the fear that permeated their lives in the United States. The best of these settlements was in western Ontario.
According to information found in the Journal of Negro History 3 (October 1918): 360-67 :
Elijah is finally able to understand many of the adult's peculiar ways by the end of the story as he is introduced (by way of a good deed) to a few of the horrors that slaves were subjected to on a daily basis.
One of the things that I really liked about this book is that it is so very human. This is not just a story about freed or escaped slaves making a life for themselves in Canada. It is also a story about humans in general. There are good and hardworking people. But there are also the grifters and swindlers out to take what they are not willing to work for honestly. There are great acts of bravery and spirit. And there is sorrow and pain caused by man's unfortunate penchant to hurt each other for money's sake. But most of all there is hope and joy.
Instead of "Cowboys and Indians" the children in Buxton play "Slavers and Slaves". There are the usual rivalries between children, the inexplicable behavior of adults and the slow realization that every person's time of innocence is so short. And once reality starts to set in, there is no way to return to that pristine and innocent state.
This is a great book to read aloud to the whole family. My daughters enjoyed it, and even though my oldest girl is an advanced reader, she preferred me to read it to her as well. We were able to discuss many things (i.e., how to tell if people have your best interests at heart, why we need to develop empathy for others to just name a few) that I hope will stick with them into adulthood.
For those of you who are interested in using Elijah of Buxton as a history lesson, I found a great resource at http://suzyred.com/2008elijah.html. It includes more historical background and activities for children.
is a delightful (and instructional) narrative about the first freeborn child in the Buxton Settlement in western Ontario. When I decided to pick this book up I was anticipating a humorous story of a young boy growing up in Canada. Instead I wound up with a book on par with Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn -- a touch of humor, adventure, history and perspective.As much time as Americans discussing the slavery issue, this is my first exposure to the Promised Land of Canada. Many freed (and escaped) slaves crossed the border in search of a home and freedom from the fear that permeated their lives in the United States. The best of these settlements was in western Ontario.
According to information found in the Journal of Negro History 3 (October 1918): 360-67 :
"The Buxton, or Elgin Association Settlement, in Kent county, western Ontario, was in many respects the most important attempt made before the Civil war to found a Negro refugee colony in Canada. In population, material wealth and general organization it was outstanding, and the firm foundation upon which it was established is shown by the fact that today, more than half a century after emancipation, it is still a prosperous and distinctly Negro settlement."The story chronicles the life of 11 year old Elijah who bears the special distinction of being the first free child born to the settlement. He is also considered "fragile" by many of the adults in the settlement because of his excitable nature. But when you keep in mind the travails that these original settlers had undergone while in slavery, you can understand the adult's position.
Elijah is finally able to understand many of the adult's peculiar ways by the end of the story as he is introduced (by way of a good deed) to a few of the horrors that slaves were subjected to on a daily basis.
One of the things that I really liked about this book is that it is so very human. This is not just a story about freed or escaped slaves making a life for themselves in Canada. It is also a story about humans in general. There are good and hardworking people. But there are also the grifters and swindlers out to take what they are not willing to work for honestly. There are great acts of bravery and spirit. And there is sorrow and pain caused by man's unfortunate penchant to hurt each other for money's sake. But most of all there is hope and joy.
Instead of "Cowboys and Indians" the children in Buxton play "Slavers and Slaves". There are the usual rivalries between children, the inexplicable behavior of adults and the slow realization that every person's time of innocence is so short. And once reality starts to set in, there is no way to return to that pristine and innocent state.
This is a great book to read aloud to the whole family. My daughters enjoyed it, and even though my oldest girl is an advanced reader, she preferred me to read it to her as well. We were able to discuss many things (i.e., how to tell if people have your best interests at heart, why we need to develop empathy for others to just name a few) that I hope will stick with them into adulthood.
For those of you who are interested in using Elijah of Buxton as a history lesson, I found a great resource at http://suzyred.com/2008elijah.html. It includes more historical background and activities for children.
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