Reader: Mrs. Gum-Hales

Readers who have taken the challenge:
Daniel S.
Emily B.
Samantha P.
Mrs. Buckles
Mrs. McAdams
Yaritza P.
Mrs. Martin

Available: I am available before and after school for story swapping.

Why I like this book: I like this book because it sounds great read aloud. I was fortunate enough to have listened to and to have eventually met the author at a teacher's of writing conference. For years I had enjoyed his best work, The Watson's Go to Birmingham; therefore, I looked forward to meeting this man who intertwined wonderful fiction with historical events for young people. His writing voice is knee slapping funny. As a conference speaker I was delighted to find out that he is an AMAZING storyteller off paper, as well. I enjoyed each life story he shared with his audience. And later he autographed my freshly purchased copy of Bud, Not Buddy for my son, Elijah. In the inscription he noted to my son that his name would be the title of his latest novel, Elijah of Buxton.:) I knew then that I would seek out his newest novel for my son and I. Oh, and I love this book because my son and I cuddled up and read it aloud together. There are many books that I have great affection for not so much because of the story itself, but because of everything I associate with my time reading the story.

Summary: 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.
(retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:58:22 -0400)

Source: librarything.com