~ A Novel Study ~
Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
A Novel Study
By Nat Reed
1
Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Table of Contents
Suggestions and Expectations ……..………………………………………….
3
List of Skills ………………………………….…………………………………
4
Synopsis / Author Biography ……..…………………………………………...
5
Student Checklist ……………………………………………………………….
6
Reproducible Student Booklet ………………………………………………….
7
Answer Key …………………………………………………………………….
60
About the author: Nat Reed has been a member of the teaching profession for more than 30
years. He is presently a full-time instructor at Trent University in the Teacher Education
Program. He is the author of more than 60 curriculum units.
Copyright © 2012 Nat Reed
All rights reserved by author.
Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
Electronic distribution limited to single classroom use only.
Not for public display.
2
Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Suggestions and Expectations
This 65 page curriculum unit can be used in a variety of ways. Each chapter of the novel study
focuses on two chapters of Elijah of Buxton and is comprised of four different sections:




Before You Read
Vocabulary Building
Comprehension Questions
Activities
Links with the Common Core Standards (U.S.)
Many of the activities included in this curriculum unit are supported by the Common
Core Standards. For instance the Reading Standards for Literature, Grade 5 , makes
reference to
a) determining the meaning of words and phrases. . . including figurative language;
b) explaining how a series of chapters fits together to provide the overall structure;
c) compare and contrast two characters;
d) determine how characters … respond to challenges;
e) drawing inferences from the text;
f) determining a theme of a story . . . and many others.
A principal expectation of the unit is that students will develop their skills in reading, writing,
listening and oral communication, as well as in reasoning and critical thinking. Students will
also be expected to provide clear answers to questions and well-constructed explanations. It is
critical as well that students be able to relate events and the feelings of characters to their own
lives and experiences and describe their own interpretation of a particular passage.
A strength of the unit is that students can work on the activities at their own pace. Every
activity need not be completed by all students. A portfolio cover is included (p.7) so that
students may organize their work and keep it all in one place. A Student Checklist is also
included (p.6) so that a record of completed work may be recorded.
Themes which may be taught in conjunction with the novel include hope, courage, choice and
freedom; slavery in 19th Century America; rural life in 19th Century North America;
Frederick Douglass; coming of age.
3
Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
List of Skills
Vocabulary Development
1. Locating descriptive words / phrases
2. Listing synonyms & antonyms
3. Identifying / creating onomatopoeia
4. Use of capitals and punctuation
5. Identifying syllables
6. Listing compound words
7. Identifying / creating similes
8. Identifying/creating personification.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Use of singular / plural nouns
Using content clues: analogies
Identifying parts of speech
Determining alphabetical order
Identification of root words
Identifying / creating alliteration
Identifying anagrams.
Use of exaggeration.
Setting Activities
1. Summarize the details of a setting
Plot Activities
1. Complete a 5 W's Chart
2. Identify conflict in the story
3. Identify cliffhanger
4. Identify the climax of a novel
5. Write a synopsis
6. Predict an outcome
7. Complete a Sequence Chart
8. Identify foreshadowing.
Character Activities
1. Determine character traits
2. Compare two or more characters
3. Understand concepts such as meeting a challenge
4. Relating personal experiences
Creative and Critical Thinking
1. Research
2. Write a newspaper article
3. Crossword puzzle/word search.
4. Complete an Observation Chart
5.
6.
7.
8.
Conduct an interview
Write a description of personal feelings
Write a Book Review
Complete a journal entry.
Art Activities
1. Design a cover for the novel
2. Design an information card.
3. Create a Storyboard.
4
Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Synopsis
Eleven-year-old Elijah lives in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves
near the American border. Elijah's the first child to be born free, and he ought to
be famous for just that - not to mention for being the best at chunking rocks and
catching fish. Unfortunately, all that most people see is a "fragile" boy who's
scared of snakes and tends to talk too much. But everything changes when a
former slave steals money from Elijah's friend, who has been saving to buy his
family out of captivity in the South. Now it's up to Elijah to track down the thief and his dangerous journey just might make a hero out of him. [The Publisher]
Author Biography
Christopher Paul Curtis
Christopher Paul Curtis was born in Flint, Michigan in
1953. Here he attended both elementary and secondary
school. He later graduated from the University of
Michigan and the University of Windsor (the city where
part of this novel is set). Christopher spent 13 years
working in a car assembly plant and assorted other
jobs. He took a year off work to write his first novel,
The Watsons go to Birmingham - 1963. Other
award-winning book by Mr. Curtis followed, including
Bud, Not Buddy and Elijah of Buxton, which were both
Newbery winners. Christopher and his wife, Kaysandra,
live in Detroit. They have two children.
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Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Student Checklist
Student Name:
Assignment
Grade / Level
6
Comments
Elijah Of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Name:
7
Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Chapter 1 - 2
Before you read the chapter:
Elijah of Buxton takes place in a small settlement in Canada more than a century ago. Name three
things about Elijah's home which would probably be different than your own.
What would be one advantage and one disadvantage to living during this time period?
Vocabulary:
Choose a word from the list to complete each sentence. [Be careful, some words may be appropriate for
more than one sentence - try to pick the best fit.]
stoop
torment
vile
commotion
prolonged
tragedy
tolerate
permanent
daft
beacon
1.
Our whole family was awakened from our sleep by a great ___________ in front of our house.
2.
Everything seemed fine until Marvin was suddenly smitten with a __________ coughing
spell.
3.
In the evening Elijah's parents sit out on their ___________ passing the time away.
4.
The lighthouse acted as a safety ______________ to countless sailors passing that way.
5.
"I never expected this blasted cold to be such a __________," my grandfather said angrily.
8
6.
Everyone thought the old woman was ________ to make such a wild prediction.
7.
The collision of the two passenger trains represented the town's worst ________.
8.
"I won't __________ any back talk from you," the coach told his star player.
9.
"Cigarette smoking is a __________ habit," the nurse exclaimed.
10.
Mustard will sometimes leave a ______________ stain.
Questions
1. Getting to the know the characters of a story can be challenging. In the first two chapters of
Elijah of Buxton the reader is introduced to those in Elijah's family and a couple of other
important characters. In the chart below see if you can identify one characteristic (either
physical or regarding his/her personality) for each character.
Character
Elijah
Characteristic
Elijah's Mom
Elijah's Dad
Cooter
The Preacher
2. The setting of a story includes not only where but when the story takes place. What do we know
about the setting of the story from the first two chapters?
3. Every good story involves one or many crisis. Describe the crisis which Elijah faces in Chapter
One.
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4. What is your personal impression of The Preacher? What caused you to form this impression?
5. Describe the prank that Elijah and Cooter played on Elijah's mom, and how she got revenge.
6. Two famous people who visited Buxton were ____________________________ and
_________________________.
7. Why did Elijah consider himself special person number three?
8. What tragic event had scarred Elijah when Frederick Douglass came to visit their settlement?
10
Activities
A. Investigation
Two very famous historical figures are mentioned in Chapter
Two: Frederick Douglass and John Brown. Both of these
men were devoted to the cause of ending slavery in the
United States during the 19th Century. Both chose very
different means to accomplish their goals. One paid the
ultimate price.
Using resources in your school library or the Internet, choose
one of these men, then prepare an information card on your
selection which includes at least one picture (can be
downloaded and printed out from the Internet or hand-drawn)
and at least four interesting facts pertaining to his life and/or
accomplishments. The purpose of your information card is to
share with your classmates so that others will be better
informed about this important figure from American history.
B. The author uses exaggeration very humorously in these
chapters, this is
especially true when describing the stories resulting from Elijah throwing
up on Frederick Douglass: "Some folks swear I throwed up so hard that
desks and chairs rose up and floated out of the schoolhouse".
Define exaggeration:
Give another example of exaggeration - either from the novel or your own
imagination.
Why do you think an author might use this device?
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C. Storyboard
A storyboard is a series of pictures that tell about an important event in a story. A storyboard
can tell the story of only one scene – or the entire novel. [ You may wish to postpone the
completion of this assignment until you have read further in the novel.]
Complete the storyboard below illustrating the events of your favorite scene from the novel
thus far. You may wish to practice your drawings on a separate piece of paper.
1
2
3
4
5
6
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Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Chapter 3 - 4
Before you read the chapter:
Take a look at the title of Chapter Three. What do you think this chapter might be about? (Hint: the
word "chunk" has a number of different meanings. You may wish to look it up in a good dictionary or
online at http://dictionary.reference.com/.)
Vocabulary:
Many of the words in this puzzle are from Chapters 3-4. Use the words in the box to complete the
following crossword puzzle.
1
2
3
9
4
5
6
7
8
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
23
21
24
26
25
27
28
29
32
30
31
33
34
37
35
38
36
39
40
42
43
22
44
45
13
41
Down
1. The novel's protagonist.
2. Happenings.
3 A sphere or globe.
5. Short sleeps.
6. One who is part of a group.
7. A woman.
8. A type of flask/bottle.
10. People who are the property of others.
12. From then until now.
16. A type of tree.
17. Fairly good; not bad.
18. Annoys.
19. _____ Story.
20 A character in the novel with a fertile
imagination.
21. Short for Citizens Band radio.
22. Speed.
27. Old Flapjack was a ____.
28. Male honeybees.
29. Skin ___ Soft.
30. Calm.
31. Elijah's hometown.
35. Ready for picking.
36. ____ sweet ____ pie.
39. Fish eggs.
41. A girl's name.
JUNE
THISTLE
ROE
PAM
OMS
DRONES
SLAVES
NAPS
TYPIST
IRRITATES
SINCE
BUTTON
SOOTHE
EASY
RATHER
TOLERABLE
SO
IS
IRE
LADY
BASS
ELM
RIPE
ELIJAH
CB
HASTE
Across
4. To consider.
9. People who capture people to sell.
11. Swore / cursed.
13. A month of the year.
14. A Star ___ Born.
15. The grounds surrounding a house.
16. Not odd.
17. A prickly plant.
20. Fish caught by Elijah.
23. Short for Oh My Stars!
24. Be mistaken.
25 Some more fish caught by Elijah.
26. Mr. _____.
28. Frederick _______.
32. He'd ____ die than betray his country.
33. Elijah's pal.
34. Somewhere, ___ the rainbow.
36. Chopping tool.
37. Several are often found on a shirt.
38. Anger; rage.
40. One who types.
42. A stoop (Elijah's parents sat here).
43. Not difficult.
44. Elijah worked for Mr. ___.
45. Elijah's classmate.
YARD
AS
SEGEE
SLAVERS
LEROY
EVENTS
COOTER
TOY
14
PERCH
MULE
MEMBER
DOUGLASS
AX
CONTEMPLATE
PORCH
BLASPHEMED
PREACHER
OVER
THERMOS
BUXTON
ERR
EVEN
ORB
EMMA
Questions
1.
How did Mr. Segee provide Elijah with a source of pocket money? What was a fringe
benefit of this arrangement?
2.
What was the Buxton Creed?
3.
Elijah used _________________ for bait when fish head chunking.
4.
Describe how Elijah "caught" his fish.
b.
Do you find this believable? Defend your response.
5.
Describe how the Preacher conned Elijah out of four of his fish.
b.
What did Elijah's father mean when he called the Preacher a jackleg of a man? Why
might this be considered ironic?
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6.
Why were all of the white and Indian children let out of school early and all the African
American kids taken home under armed escort?
7.
Where did many of the people think that the Preacher had gotten his mystery pistol?
8.
Why didn't Elijah think this was true? Do you agree with him? Defend your answer.
Activities
A. Investigate: Take a deeper look at the community
in which Elijah and his family lived. Buxton was a
real, historical settlement which was located near
the city of Chatham in south-western Ontario,
Canada. There is presently a wonderful Historical
Site and museum in the town of North Buxton which
welcomes visitors (www.buxtonmuseum.com). Investigate sources in your school library or
on the Internet and write a brief report on the town of Buxton - Chatham. Make sure to
include at least five interesting facts about Buxton and why this settlement of
people is so significant to the history of North America.
16
B. Place the following words from these chapters in alphabetical order.
chunking
chores
couple
Cooter
cold
catch
Conqueror
come
conjuring
chunked
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
C. The author seems to enjoy using alliteration – a literary device where the author
repeats the same consonant sound at the beginning of several words in close
succession. An example from Chapter Four is: “I pointed at the horse's haunch.
'Pa! Look! He's hurt!'"
Using your imagination, create your own examples of alliteration from the following
topics. Each example must contain a minimum of three words.
Fish head chunking –
The sudden appearance of a
white stallion The cries of a damsel in
distress -
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Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Chapter 5 - 6
Before you read the chapter:
Establishing a time frame for the novel. Earlier in the unit you were asked to establish an approximate
year in which the novel was set. The events of Chapter Four help us narrow down the date. How is this
true?
Vocabulary:
In each of the following sets of words, underline the one word that does not belong. Then write a
sentence explaining why it does not fit.
1.
yearn
desire
covet
ascertain
2.
disrespectful
despondent
rude
discourteous
3.
standard
peculiar
distinct
particular
4.
rile
upset
recitation
disturb
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5.
analyze
commence
start
6.
confident
assured
7.
familiarity
aloofness
closeness
intimacy
8.
endorsement
contempt
disdain
disrespect
undaunted
inaugurate
uncertain
Questions
Cloze Call
Complete the following exercise filling in the correct words from the Word Box.
On his way home, Elijah met Mr. ___________ who suggested Elijah give him two or three
______________. Later, Elijah traded Mrs. Brown a perch for a _________. Mrs. Brown's twoyear old boy died of the _________ _______years past. The Brown's house had _________ floor
and they ate in the _____________ instead of the _____________. Elijah then cleaned the fish and
took two for Mr. ___________, who was clearing land for Mrs. _____________. Her husband had
taken sick while escaping slavery and got ___________. Mr. Leroy was saving his money to buy
his _________ and two ________ out of slavery. Mr. Leroy told Elijah that it was not a good idea
to be _________ about nothing you do.
Mr. Travis taught both the everyday school and _____________ school classes. Mr. Travis had
written "_______________ Breeds Contempt" on the ___________. Cooter decided that this
19
meant the teacher was planning a family ____________ ____________. Because he saw Cooter
was _____________, the teacher dragged him to the front of the room by the __________. The
reason for the lesson had been because Mr. Travis felt that Cooter had shown him
________________ when they met at ________________.
kitchen
wife
fever
Holton
Leroy
Waller
Familiarity
breeding
timid
children
one
board
smiling
fish
two
disrespect
contest
spells
ear
parlour
Sabbath
caught
pie
sawmill
Activities
A. Anagrams
An anagram is a word that is formed by changing the order of the letters of another word. For
example, the letters in the word DOES can also form the word DOSE. Follow these directions to form
the anagrams:
a) read the clue in the right-hand column.
b) Using the word in the left-hand column move the letters around in any order, but you must use all
the letters.
Each of the words in the left-hand column is found in these chapters.
Word
tithing
times
table
finger
stick
lessons
Anagram
Clue
Striking.
Strike.
Sound of a sheep.
An outer edge.
Sounds of a clock.
No boy children.
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B. Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is a literary device used by authors to give the readers hints as to what might
happen later in the story. How does Chapter Six end in this way?
Using your imagination, predict what you think might happen to fulfill this piece of
foreshadowing.
C. The Simile.
The author uses a literary device called a simile in these chapters. A simile is a comparison
of two things using the words like or as. The example from Chapter 5 is as follows: "The fish
bones crackled and snapped in his mouth like dry corn in a mill. "
a) What two things are being compared in this example?
Create your own similes from the following suggestions:
b) cold floorboards on bare feet
c) a baby raccoon falling from a tree
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Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Chapter 7 - 8
Before you read the chapters:
Take a look at the two titles for Chapters 7 and 8.
a) Most teachers are anxious to "make a lesson stick". What is meant by this?
b) Chapter Eight is entitles: "The Most Exciting Night of My Life So Far". Why do you think the
author added the two little words "So Far" at the end of the chapter title?
Vocabulary:
Draw a straight line to connect the vocabulary word to its definition. Remember to use a straight edge
(like a ruler).
1. berserk
2. peculiarity
3. grudge
4. traverse
5. gracious
6. environs
7. daft
8. astound
9. dexterity
10. conjure
a. bitterness
b. kind
c. foolish
d. amaze
e. crazed
f. ability
g. play tricks
h. quirk
i. outskirts
j. travel
22
Questions
1.
Why do you think Mr. Leroy was so quiet on the walk home with Elijah?
2.
What did Elijah say that upset Mr. Leroy so much and what was Mr. Leroy's reaction?
3.
How was Mr. Leroy able to explain to Elijah why his comment had disturbed him so much?
4.
Why do you think Elijah was able to continue his relationship with Mr. Leroy without
holding a grudge? Do you think you would have been able to do so if you were Elijah?
Explain your answer.
5.
Many unusual expressions are used in this novel. Put the following in your own words:
All sort of who-struck John busted
loose
Mr. Leroy don't seem partial to
running his mouth nohow.
The first chance he got to throw me
to the wolfs he did it
6.
How was the Preacher able to convince Elijah to attend the carnival despite the fact that
Elijah knew his parents would object?
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7.
Check resources in your school library to determine if there are such creatures as moth lions,
then check your choice of boxes below to record your results.
They do exist.
8.
9.
They do not exist.
What feat accomplished by Madame Sabbar did you find particularly impressive?
How does Chapter 8 end as a cliffhanger?
Activities
A.
Rewrite the following sentences putting in the correct capitalization and punctuation.
elijah and the preacher were impressed with madame sabbar's shooting skills
how on earth did cooter ever walk all the way to chatham in the dark
my brother bought a brand new ford escort last march
24
Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Chapter 9 - 10
Before you read the chapters:
Check out the Youtube presentation featuring the author of Elijah of Buxton, Christopher Paul Curtis at
the following address. Write your impression of Mr. Curtis after watching the clip.
http://www.allsubs.org/movie-trailer/Elijah+of+Buxton+-+Book+Trailer/2GdevJ6jjHI
Vocabulary:
Choose a word from the list that means the same or nearly the same as the underlined word(s).
rigmarole
commence
prestidigitation
realm
mesmerist
irresistible
brogans
appalled
1
Judy found the colorful cupcake to be most compelling.
2.
The hypnotist earned his living by preying on gullible people.
3
"Who on earth started all of this commotion?" the principal
asked the class.
4
5
Once a person enters the domain of the king, that person is
subject to the king's laws.
When do you plan to begin campaigning for mayor?
6
Elijah's boots were ruined by the tar on the road.
25
bevy
intrigued
7
Her feats of magic were so incredible that the entire audience
was spellbound.
My mother and aunt were aghast at the pollution caused by
the oil rig.
A crowd of celebrities gathered on the stage to roast George
Clooney.
The audience was captivated by the princess.
8
9
10
Questions
1.
How had the Atlas Clearing changed since the last time Elijah had been there?
2.
Why did the Preacher insist on Elijah watching the mesmerist?
3.
Why did Sammy consider it dangerous for Elijah to have that particular name?
4.
Describe how the conjurer embarrassed Sammy very badly.
5.
How did Elijah prove he was a fast thinker when the conjurer asked him if he could speak
English?
6. What scheme did the Preacher propose to the conjurer?
26
7.
What made the Preacher change his mind about his scheme and prompted him to leave
suddenly with Elijah?
8.
How did the Preacher exact a kind of revenge on the conjurer for buying MaWee in the
States as a slave?
Activities
A. Elijah's journal
These chapters represent a most unusual and stressful time for poor Elijah. Imagine you are Elijah.
After returning home from his adventures with the Preacher you sit down to describe your evening in
your faithful journal. As a journal entry describe briefly what happened during your visit to the
carnival. Be sure to give not only the facts of the visit, but your feelings as well. Your journal entry
should be at least a half-page in length.
27
B. The World's Greatest Carnival
Carnivals have been a popular attraction for
many generations. Modern carnivals with their
Ferris Wheels and Tilt-a-whirls are quite a bit
different than the one Elijah attended.
Your task is to investigate the carnival as it was
during the late 1800's. We already have some
idea of what such an attraction offered, but
what else might people expect?
Using resources in your school library or on the Internet, do some investigative
research into this fascinating topic. See if you can come up with at least five
incredible facts about the Carnivals of Elijah's day and record them below.
28
Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Chapter 11 - 12
Before you read the chapters:
In these chapters a family of freed slaves arrives in Buxton. Imagine you are a member of this family.
Describe how you would feel arriving in Buxton after travelling for weeks and enduring many dangers?
Vocabulary:
Solve the following word search puzzle using the words from the Word Box. Remember – the words
can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. They may be forward or even backward!
Word Box:
CONDUCTOR
HALLELUJAH
SETTLEMENT
COMMOTION
ARKANSAS
LIBERTY
CHAFING
INFIRMARY
BLANGED
CABBAGE
INHABITANTS ACADEMY
Q S I N H A B I
R E S P E C T A
A T S D F G H H
P T O I U B L A
Y L L T K J H G
R E F E X R T Y
A M D Y U I I O
M E E F G H W Z
R N T M N B V T
I T R P O I C U
F L O K J U H G
N L F K D J H G
I U M N Y T R E
U Y O H A L L E
T C C G H N O I
29
T A N T
B L E E
J K L Z
N G E D
F F D S
L I B E
L R N K
O X C G
Y C X D
Y M T R
F D E R
F D R D
F G H Y
L U J A
T O M M
TWIXT
COMFORTED
RESPECTABLE
S W E
R T Y
X C V
Y T R
A Q W
R T Y
J H G
V E S
F G A
G A S
T B N
Y B A
A A K
H C R
O C A
Questions
1.
According to Elijah, what mistake did people often make who were trying to hide in the
woods?
2.
Why was Emma so successful in luring the people out from their hiding places?
3.
Who often helped new-free slaves find their way to Buxton?
4.
Mr. Frederick Douglass stated that the hardest step in making yourself free was the last one.
Why do you think that was the case?
5.
Why was the runway family's baby girl ill?
6.
Why didn't Elijah speak to the boy?
7.
Who had given Buxton's Liberty Bell to the settlement?
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8.
When a freed slave came to Buxton the bell was wrung ___________ times.
_______
times to ring out his/her _________ life and _______ more to ring in the ________
life, their __________ lives. Cooter rang the bell a total of __________ times that day.
9.
Miss Duncan the first determined that Mrs. Taylor was actually Alice Duncan, their baby
sister. What physical proof did they offer which proved them correct?
b.
What made them decide not to tell Mrs. Taylor about this right away?
Activities
A. Choose ten words from this chapter with two or more syllables. Indicate the syllables
drawing a line between each syllable. Example: Dun / can.
31
by
B. The Underground Railway
The Underground Railway is mentioned in these
chapters. The Underground Railway helped make it
possible for hundreds of slaves to escape to such
places as Buxton in Canada during the mid 1800's.
[Barbara Smucker's exciting novel, Underground to
Canada, tells of one such story.]
Your task is to do an investigation of the Underground Railway and prepare a brief report on
what it was, and what it accomplished. You may use resources in your school library or on
the Internet. Your report should be at least a half-page in length.
32
Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Chapters 13 - 14
Before you read the chapters:
Although receiving letters and packages in the mail may not be as common as it once was, it can still
be an exciting event. Reflect on a time when you, your family or a friend received a letter or package
which was quite momentous - either in a good way - or bad!)
Vocabulary:
Write a sentence using the following words. Make sure that the meaning of the word is clear in your
sentence.
conqueror –
abolitionist –
mispronounce –
enquiry –
33
trowel –
rigors -
remunerate -
disposed -
Questions
1.
Why did Elijah prefer to take Flapjack to town instead of one of the horses?
Why didn't this work out in Chapter 13?
2.
What had prevented the mail from being delivered to Buxton?
3.
What did a letter with fancy writing generally mean?
4.
What excuse to Elijah's mother make when getting him to read the letter? Why?
34
5.
Why did Elijah's mother worry about asking her son to read the letter to Mrs. Holton?
6.
Why did so many people from the settlement join Elijah and his mother when going to
deliver the letter? Do you think this was a good idea? Why or why not?
7.
Write a synopsis of the letter in your own word. Conclude by stating your own opinion
on the events described by Mrs. Poole.
8.
What two things made the Sunday described in Chapter 14 halfway tolerable to Elijah?
9.
Why was Elijah's grandmother so upset with Elijah's mother when she returned from
her trip to Michigan?
b.
How did Elijah's mother make amends for this mistake?
35
Activities
A. We have already read about a number of important conflicts in this novel. Conflict is an important
element in a work of fiction. There are generally three types of conflict: person against person;
person against self; and person against nature. Find three examples of conflict in Elijah of Buxton,
and tell which type of conflict each is.
1.
2.
3.
36
B. Who is going to help the poor old action word?
An adverb is a part of speech defined as a modifier (or helper) of a verb (usually an action word) or
another adverb. Often an adverb will end in the letters ly (i.e. slowly). This novel features a good many
creative adverbs.
"Larry Butler had an absolutely terrible accident."
In this sentence, what adverb does absolutely modify? ____________________
"I think little Ahbo will fit very nicely into our family."
In this sentence what verb does nicely modify? ____________.
He is resting peacefully in the slave burial grounds . . .
In this sentence, the adverb ____________ modifies the verb ____________________.
C. The author, Christopher Paul Curtis, enjoys using a variety of literary devices in this novel. One
such device is onomatopoeia. An example is “Oo-wee” - the squeal made by Elijah's mother when
speaking with Mrs. Holton. Define onomatopoeia, and use your imagination to think of one more
example of this device.
37
Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Chapter 15 - 16
Before you read the chapters:
In the next two chapters Elijah and his family must decide whether they can trust one of the people of
the settlement. The writer, George MacDonald once said, “To be trusted is a greater compliment than
being loved.” Do you agree? Defend your response.
Vocabulary:
Choose a word from the list to complete each definition.
nonsensical
intention
partial
rearrange
endure
righteous
pathetic
postpone
eavesdropping
profiting
1.
After leaving the display cabinet untouched for several months, Marnie finally decided to
_______________ it.
2.
Janie stood at the front door, dripping wet and looking quite _____________.
3.
Although the public accepted his role in the war, no one dreamed that he was actually
______________ from his black market business with the Nazis.
4.
I am _________ to vanilla ice cream.
5.
After such a grievous insult, the preacher was filled with ______________ indignation.
6.
After a few minutes of confusion, everyone realized the comic's routine was
_____________.
7.
"How long must I __________ the taunts of foolish men?" he pleaded.
38
8.
"I have every ___________ of paying you back," the boy told his father.
9.
"I'm afraid we are going to have to _____________ the ball game because of rain," the
announcer stated sadly.
10.
I don't think my mother ever found out about us _____________ on her conversation with
our neighbor.
Questions
1.
Chapter 15 adds another detail as to the year that the story occurred. In what year did the
events of the story take place? How do you know this?
2.
Investigate: What momentous event occurred in the United States in 1861? Why would this
event have been of special interest to the people of Buxton?
3.
Describe the task that Mr. Leroy gave to Elijah in Chapter 15.
4.
What tremendous act of kindness was Mrs. Horton responsible for in Chapter 15? What
does this tell you about her character?
5.
Why do you think Elijah's dad didn't let on to Mr. Leroy that Elijah had told him about
getting the money from Mrs. Holton?
39
6.
What advice did Elijah's dad give Mr. Leroy with regard to freeing his family?
7.
Do you think it was a good idea for Mr. Leroy to trust the Preacher with this responsibility?
Defend your answer with proof.
8.
What compromise did they make because of their uneasiness about trusting the Preacher?
Activities
A. Write the plural of the following nouns from these chapters. Careful – you may wish to
consult a dictionary for some of these words.
Singular Noun
memory
box
man
family
child
slave
worry
person
conjurer
apology
Plural Noun
40
B. There are a number of interesting characters featured in this novel. Choose any two of the
principal characters. These two people will no doubt have a number of important similarities and
differences. In the comparison framework below compare these two individuals by selecting criteria
you feel reveals the similarities and/or differences between them. You may select items regarding their
appearance and/or character.
Criteria
Character 1:
Character 2:
1.
2.
3.
4.
C. PERSONIFICATION is giving human qualities to something that is not human. We find an
example of this in Chapter 15: ... It killed my appetite. Although we understand what the author is
saying, everyone knows that an appetite, unlike a person, cannot actually be killed.
Why do you think personification is a popular literary device used by many authors?
Create your own example of personification.
41
Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Chapter 17 - 18
Before you read the chapters:
The next two chapters have very intriguing titles. Choose one of the titles and from it predict what you
think will happen in that chapter. After you have finished reading the chapter come back to your answer
and see how close you were to the actual events.
Vocabulary:
Synonyms are words with similar meanings. Using the context of the sentences below, choose the best
synonym for the underlined words in each sentence.
1.
I knew that if I were to succeed, I would have to concentrate on the task at hand.
a) enjoy
b) focus
c) justify
d) choose
2.
My parents taught me to be respectful to others.
a) amusing
b) anxious
c) cautious
3.
I've always been partial to seafood.
a) biased
b) allergic
c) uncomfortable
d) mannerly
d) cheered
4.
My cousin is acknowledged by most people as a first class rapscallion.
a) diva
b) scoundrel
c) martyr
d) paladin
5.
No one could foresee what a calamity her decision would prove to be.
a) joke
b) blessing
c) disaster
d) inspiration
6.
Pa said, "Don't the woe never end?"
a) adversity
b) blessings
c) goodness
42
d) work
7.
8.
"Are you planning on toting that sack?" Sara asked.
a) trading
b) burying
c) emptying
Who can we get to cleave that big piece of firewood?
a) burn
b) take
c) split
d) carrying
d) steal
Questions
1.
How did Elijah learn about what happened to Mr. Highgate?
2.
What did Mr. Highgate say had happened to him?
3.
Mr. Highgate also revealed that the Preacher owned a second fancy pistol.
How had the Preacher obtained this gun?
4.
Why hadn't Mr. Highgate been able to shoot the preacher with his shotgun?
5.
Describe Mr. Leroy's reaction when he heard the news about his money being stolen.
6.
Why did Elijah run when he saw that Mr. Leroy was so upset?
43
7.
8.
9.
Instead of attending the meeting at the church, what did Elijah's parents make him do?
How did he manage to still attend the meeting?
Describe how Chapter 18 ends as a cliffhanger.
Activities
A. Copy out any three sentences from these chapters and underline the verbs.
44
B. Interview at least three other students for their views of this novel. (Try to get both positive and
negative comments.) Write a brief report putting these views together.
C. Observation Chart
Elijah of Buxton is a novel filled with sights and sounds. Look back over the novel and get as
many examples of the five senses, listing them in the chart below with a brief description about
where each was found. You may wish to choose your examples from one particular scene, or
include a number of different scenes.
Sight
Sound
Touch
45
Taste
Smell
Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Chapter 19 - 20
Before you read the chapters:
In the next two chapters Elijah is forced to make a very difficult decision. Describe a time in your own
life (or a friend's) when you had to make a difficult choice. What was the result?
Vocabulary:
Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. Draw a line from each word in column A to its antonym
in column B. Then use the words in column A to fill in the blanks in the sentences below.
Column A
commence
intentional
sully
tolerable
pauper
suspicious
fond
Column B
wealthy
trustworthy
unacceptable
conclude
aversion
clean
accidental
1.
After being a wealthy man for so long it must have been hard on him to end his life as a
___________________.
2.
I'm sure that the shooting accident was not ___________________.
3.
Despite being from Canada, I am not _____________ of maple syrup.
4.
The police were very purposeful in their efforts to _____________ the mayor's reputation.
5.
Once the gun goes off all contestants may _______________ rowing toward the finish line.
6.
Didn't you find it the least bit _______________ that she was asking so many questions?
7.
Most people would not have found the limelight to be as _______________ as did the
cheerleading team.
46
Questions
Indicate whether the following statements are True or False.
1.
Mr. Leroy was extremely upset with Elijah for vouching for the Preacher.
T or F
2.
Death had its arm 'round Mr. Leroy, propping him up is an example of a
literary device called a simile.
T or F
3.
Mr. Leroy wanted to take Elijah with him to Michigan because he
didn't read and wasn't comfortable dealing with white folks.
T or F
4.
To give Mr. Leroy more time, Elijah told Mrs. Bixby that his parents
had changed their minds and he had to sleep at home after all.
T or F
5.
In Elijah's note to Cooter he told his friend not to tell anyone what
happened until Saturday morning or else Mr. Leroy would cut his throat.
T or F
6.
For protection Elijah took with him 20 chunking stones, Mr. Taylor's knife
and the Preachers rusted old revolver.
T or F
7.
Elijah urged Mr. Leroy not to drive the horse so hard, but the older man
was too anxious to listen.
T or F
8.
Elijah and Mr. Leroy found Benjamin Alston at his job in a Detroit brewery.
T or F
9.
Mr. Alston and his friends were able to place the preacher when Mr. Leroy
showed him a pistol like the one the Preacher owned.
T or F
10.
When Mr. Leroy was dying he mistook Elijah for his boy Ezekiel.
T or F
47
Activities
A. Find three examples of the following parts of speech from these chapters.
Nouns
Verbs
Adverbs
B. Imagine you are a newspaper reporter at the time of the Elijah's adventures. You decide to write a
story briefly relating to your readers the exciting adventures of Elijah to this point of the story. You
may wish to include a brief interview of Elijah to get his personal perspective.
48
C. Investigations
At one point in Chapter 19 Elijah asks Mr. Leroy how far away the village in
Michigan is. Mr. Leroy responds that it is less than an hour from Detroit by horse.
But how far is it from Buxton to Detroit? Using resources in your school library or
on the Internet (i.e. Mapquest) find out how far it actually is from North Buxton
(near Chatham, Ontario, and Detroit Michigan. If a trotting horse travels at about
10 miles per hour, about how long would it take them to make this trip?
Present day Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan.
49
Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Chapter 21 - 22
Before you read the chapters:
Writers of fiction are warned against relying on coincidence in their stories. Some readers
might consider the death of Mr. Leroy to be something of a coincidence - an event which left
Elijah fending for himself in a dangerous situation.
a) Why do you think including coincidences in a story is a bad idea?
b) Can you think of another example of coincidence in this novel? [Hint: one occurs earlier
with the arrival of the family of ex-slaves.]
a)
b)
Vocabulary:
Analogies are equations in which the first pair of words has the same relationship as the second pair of
words. For example, stop is to go as fast is to slow. In this example, both pairs of words are opposites.
Choose the best word from the word box to complete each of the analogies below.
notion
rickety
1.
Agitate is to
2.
Pleasant is to
3.
Ordinary is to
4.
Solid is to
suffocate
brogans
peculiar
riled
noticeable
bushwhack
as seldom is to rarely.
as night is to day.
as gorgeous is to hideous.
as careless is to attentive.
50
gourd
ornery
5.
Idea is to
as complaint is to lament.
6.
Deceitful is to insincere as ambush is to
7.
Horrific is to ghastly as canteen is to
8.
Lively is to lethargic as obscure is to
9.
Work is to play and breathe is to
10.
Honest is to truthful as boots is to
.
.
.
.
.
Questions
1.
The word terrorfied in the title should actually be _______________.
2.
According to Elijah's pa, why should one be afraid of a quiet dog, rather than one that was
barking?
3.
Describe how Elijah was able to overcome the vicious guard dog.
4.
Elijah makes the statement, "when it comes to choosing to pay attention to your nose or
your eyes, you gotta listen to your eyes every time." Do you agree with him? Defend your
answer.
5.
Who did Elijah find in the barn?
51
6.
Describe why it was impossible for Elijah to free the slaves.
7.
What do you think Chloe was planning to do with the pistol?
8.
Why do you think Chloe made such a fuss about the baby liking Elijah?
Activities
A. Beside each of the following words from these chapters, write its root word.
changing
squatted
snapped
scaring
unfolded
dipped
lolling
humming
52
B. The Five W’s Chart
Choose a major event from the novel, then complete the following
chart with the important details.
What happened?
Who was there?
Why did it happen?
When did it happen?
Where did it happen?
53
Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis
Chapter 23 - 24
Before you read the chapters:
If you were the author, how would you conclude Elijah's adventures?
Vocabulary:
Draw a straight line to connect the vocabulary word to its definition. Remember to use a straight edge
(like a ruler).
1. whine
2. conscience
3. recollection
4. dumbstruck
5. cipher
6. boastful
7. plaguing
8. conjugate
9. mope
10. recite
a. astounded
b. arrogant
c. bothering
d. remember
e. pout
f. associate
g. whimper
h. narrate
i. determine
j. principles
54
Questions
1.
The climax of a novel or short story is the decisive moment in the story, bringing the
events to a head and leading to the conclusion. What do you consider to be the climax of this
novel?
2.
Why did Mr. Alston and the other men refuse to help Elijah free the slaves? What is your
opinion of their decision?
3.
What did Elijah suddenly realize on his way home?
4.
Why did Elijah think it necessary to talk this secret language with Chloe when speaking
of taking Hope home with him?
5.
According to Chloe, Kamau had been a _______________ back in Africa.
6.
Were you satisfied with the ending of the novel? Give reasons for your response.
55
Activities
A. Try to reassemble the word parts listed below into ten compound words found in the last few
chapters. Be careful - one or two are quite tricky!!
head
stand
shot
fore
thing
gun
no
every
be
way her
may under some
1.
6.
2.
7.
3.
8.
4.
9.
5.
10.
times
run
where
half
aways
self
B. Lights, Camera, Action!
You are the casting director for a project designed to put together an animated movie version of Elijah
of Buxton. Who would you cast for the principal roles:
•
Elijah –
•
Cooter –
•
Elijah's Ma –
•
Elijah's Pa -
•
Mr. Leroy –
•
The Preacher –
•
Chloe –
•
Mrs. Holton –
•
Mr. Travis -
•
_____________ -
•
_____________ -
You may wish to choose Hollywood actors for this task, or for some fun, limit your choices to people in
your school (teachers and students). Beside each selection write a brief explanation for your choice.
56
C. Book Cover
Create a book cover for Elijah of Buxton. Be sure to include the title,
author, and a picture that will make other students want to read the novel.
57
D. A Book Review
Now is your chance to share your own reactions to the novel with others. Write a
review of the book, describing in no more than one paragraph an outline of the
plot, and then in another paragraph how you enjoyed the novel (or didn’t) and
why. (Please don’t give away the ending!)
This review can be posted to a website like www.amazon.com for others to enjoy.
58
E. Sequence Chart
List the main events of Elijah of Buxton in the order in which they occurred.
Elijah of Buxton
First
Next
Next
Next
Next
Next
Next
Next
Last
59
Answer Key
Chapter 1-2
Vocabulary:
1. commotion 2. prolonged
3. stoop
6.daft 7. tragedy 8. tolerate 9. vile
4. beacon
5. torment
10. permanent
Questions:
1. Characteristics will vary.
Elijah - considers himself fragile
Cooter - good at tracking
Elijah's Mom - afraid of toads; caring mother
Elijah's Dad - fairly quiet
Preacher - wild imagination; a tease
Setting: Town of Buxton, Canada West (Southwestern Ontario) near the Canada-U.S. border. Sometime
between 1850-1900. [Clues: There are former slaves in town; Frederick Douglass died in 1895. Also,
Elijah was the first free child born in the community, which suggests the date was closer to the early
1860's when slavery was still in effect in the United States.]
Elijah and Cooper believe that dangerous hoop snakes are loose near their settlement.
Answers will vary.
She was deathly afraid of toads, so they put one in her sewing basket, frightening her. She got revenge by
putting a snake in the cookie jar and frightening Elijah.
Frederick Douglass and John Brown.
He was the first child to be born free in the Elgin Settlement at Raleigh in Canada West.
Elijah threw up on Mr. Douglass.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Chapter 3-4
Vocabulary
E
S
L
E
A
V
U
N
I
S
I
J
E
A
T
H
O
L
E
R
A
O
T
H
U
T
T
A
S
Y
O
L
N
A
P
I
S
V
L
E
C
O
M
S
E
R
D
O
U
G
L
V
E
E
O
E
S
E
Y
H
E
M
L
A
A
E
D
Y
E
R
R
E
A
S
S
C
O
O
H
I
R
E
O
R
E
E
R
D
H
B
A
O
S
S
S
A
P
E
M
C
E
R
T
H
E
E
G
P
B
P
L
E
M
E
N
S
E
N
M
R
T
A
A
O
E
C
S
T
A
L
E
B
I
A
B
R
R
E
T
R
E
O
E
T
T
E
B
R
O
T
C
Y
H
E
60
U
A
P
I
A
M
M
S
X
T
O
A
N
Questions:
1. Elijah cleaned out his stable and watered the animals. He got to ride the mule, Flapjack, after his work
was done.
2. One helping one to uplift all.
3. horseflies
4. He tossed the horseflies onto the surface of the water and when the fish surfaced to get the flies, he hit
them on the head with a rock.
b. Answers will vary.
5. He told Elijah that he ought to tithe the fish he caught. Then the Preacher concocted a complicated
formula showing how Elijah's tithe was actually four fish instead of just one.
b. A jackleg is an unscrupulous person; someone of low character. The individual to whom he was referring
was a preacher, a person who is supposed to be above reproach.
6. There were reports of slavers being in the area.
7. From the slavers (he supposedly killed them and took the pistol).
8. Rumor had it that the Preacher took one of the slavers horses and one pistol to Toronto to sell. Elijah
thought the Preacher was too vain to do that, but would have showed them off to the local people.
Answers will vary.
B. catch - chores - chunked - chunking - cold - come - conjuring - Conqueror - Cooter - couple
Chapter 5-6
Before you read:
The presence of slavers indicate that slavery was still in existence in the United States. Slavery was abolished in
1862, so the novel was set sometime before this.
Vocabulary:
1. ascertain 2. despondent
3. standard
7. aloofness 8. endorsement
4. recitation
5. analyze
6. uncertain
Questions:
On his way home, Elijah met Mr. Waller who suggested Elijah give him two or three fish. Later,
Elijah traded Mrs. Brown a perch for a pie. Mrs. Brown's two-year old boy died of the fever two
years past. The Brown's house had one floor and they ate in the kitchen instead of the parlour.
Elijah then cleaned the fish and took two for Mr. Leroy, who was clearing land for Mrs. Holton. Her
husband had taken sick while escaping slavery and got caught. Mr. Leroy was saving his money to
buy his wife and two children out of slavery. Mr. Leroy told Elijah that it was not a good idea to be
timid about nothing you do.
Mr. Travis taught both the everyday school and Sabbath school classes. Mr. Travis had written
"Familiarity Breeds Contempt" on the board. Cooter decided that this meant the teacher was
planning a family breeding contest. Because he saw Cooter was smiling, the teacher dragged him
to the front of the room by the ear. The reason for the lesson had been because Mr. Travis felt that
Cooter had shown him disrespect when they met at sawmill.
Activities
A. hitting - smite - bleat - fringe - ticks - sonless
61
Chapter 7-8
Vocabulary:
1–e 2–h
3–a
4–j
5–b
6–i
7–c
8–d
9–f
10 - g
Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Answers will vary (i.e. he was exhausted from working so hard).
He started to say the "n word". Mr. Leroy flew into a rage and slapped Elijah across the face,
knocking him to the ground.
By relating the word to incidents of abuse from his past when he and his family were slaves.
Answers will vary.
Answers will vary.
He told Elijah that he would be helping the Settlement.
They do not exist.
Answers will vary.
We wonder who the Preacher has to talk to, and what Elijah has to do with this conversation.
Activities
A. Rewrite the following sentences putting in the correct capitalization and punctuation.
Elijah and the Preacher were impressed with Madame Sabbar's shooting skills.
How on earth did Cooter ever walk all the way to Chatham in the dark?
My brother bought a brand new Ford Escort last March.
Chapter 9-10
Vocabulary:
1 – irresistible 2 – mesmerist
3 – rigmarole 4 – realm 5 – commence
6 – brogans 7 – prestidigitation 8 – appalled 9 – bevy 10 - intrigued
Questions:
1. A carnival had been set up there.
2. To see how a flimflam worked.
3. There was a dangerous boy who lived in Chatham with that name who considered it an affront if anyone
else had his name.
4. While supposedly under hypnosis, he had Sammy strip down to nothing.
5. He said that he could not only speak English but also Latin and Greek.
6. That Elijah, with his fine stone-throwing skills, take over for Madame Sabbar.
7. He saw the sign about MaWee being captured in the jungles of darkest Africa and was offended.
8. He took him from the conjurer at gunpoint and threatened them with violence if they tried to get MaWee
back.
62
Chapter 11-12
Vocabulary:
R
Y
R
A
M
R
I
F
N
I
S
E
T
T
L
E
M
E
N
T
C
I
S
N
P
H
E
A
C
B
B
T
H
L
I
A
T
B
A
L
N
E
T
A
N
F
L
G
E
D
I
R
B
N
E
T
X
D
E
T
R
O
F
M
O
C
I
W
T
O
Y
C
T
Y
A
H
O
E
G
A
B
B
A
C
C
S
A
S
N
A
K
R
A
M
E
D
A
R
G
U
N
H
S
D
L
N
L
O
E
I
L
T
U
O
J
M
A
M
Questions:
1. They usually hid behind the biggest tree or rock around.
2. Answers will vary (i.e. she was young and non-threatening; she approached the people in hiding very
naturally and made them feel at ease.)
3. The Underground Railway.
4. Answers will vary (i.e. perhaps they had trouble believing they had really reached freedom.)
5. They had been giving her sleep medicine to keep her from crying and being captured.
6. The boy had wet his pants and Elijah didn't want to embarrass him.
7. Freed slaves from Pittsburgh.
8. 20 - 10 - old - 10 - new - free - 100
9. Alice had a scar like a sliver of the moon on her left shoulder.
b. It would be too disturbing for her right them because of all she had been through recently.
Chapter 13-14
Vocabulary: Answers will vary.
Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
b.
The horses were too fast for Elijah. Flapjack was too slow.
The postman had been kicked in the head by a horse.
A white person was writing to let someone know that a loved one was dead.
She didn't have her spectacles on. She could not read very well.
She was afraid he wouldn't be able to keep his composure.
For emotional support. Answers will vary.
Answers will vary.
Reverend King was still away; after the service they were going for a picnic.
She was so close to Canada and never tried to escape to freedom.
She escaped the next time the white family took her to Detroit.
Activities:
B. terrible - fit - peacefully resting
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Chapter 15-16
Vocabulary: 1 – rearrange 2 – pathetic 3 – profiting 4 – partial 5 - righteous
6 - nonsensical
7 – endure 8 – intention 9 – postpone 10 - eavesdropping
Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
1860 - it states that John Horton was killed in 1859, which was a year previous.
The beginning of the American Civil War. A cause of the war was the issue of slavery.
He wanted Elijah to reword the plaque Mrs. Horton had asked him to carve for her.
She loaned Mr. Leroy enough money to buy his family out of slavery. She was generous and thoughtful.
Answers will vary (i.e. he didn't want Mr. Leroy to think Elijah was a blabbermouth.)
He urged him to be cautious.
Answers will vary.
They sent Theodore Highgate along with him.
Language Activities
A. memories - boxes - men - families - children - slaves - worries - people - conjurers - apologies
Chapter 17-18
Vocabulary: 1 – b
2–d
3–a
4–b
5–c
6–a
7–d
8–c
Questions:
1. Cooter came and told him while he was fishing.
2. The Preacher had shot him and took all of Mr. Leroy's money.
3. He had killed the white twins who were slavers, and stolen the guns from them.
4. The Preacher had unloaded it when Mr. Highgate was sleeping.
5. He threw the axe at a tree and ran off into the woods.
6. He thought Mr. Leroy was angry with him for vouching for the Preacher.
7. Spend the night at Cooter's.
8. He told Cooter's mother that his mother wanted him at the meeting.
9. Answers will vary.
Chapter 19-20
Vocabulary:
Column A
commence
intentional
sully
tolerable
pauper
suspicious
fond
1 – pauper
2 – intentional
Column B
conclude
accidental
clean
unacceptable
wealthy
trustworthy
aversion
3 – fond
4 - sully 5 – commence
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6 – suspicious
7 - tolerable
Questions:
1-F
2- F
3-T
4-T
5-T
6-F
7-F
8-F
9-T
10 - T
C. Investigations. It is about 50 miles from Detroit to North Buxton. This would take about 5 hours by horse not counting the ferry ride and the wait at the ferry.
Chapter 21-22
Vocabulary:
1 – riled 2 – ornery 3 – peculiar 4 - rickety 5 – notion
8 - noticeable 9 - suffocate 10 - brogans
6 – bushwhack 7 - gourd
Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
terrified.
Barking dogs are barking because they are afraid of you, a quiet one is interested only in biting you.
When the dog attacked, Elijah hit it with two stones, knocking the dog unconscious.
Answers will vary.
Five slaves (3 men, one woman and a boy), a baby and the Preacher.
They were chained securely to the barn and the man who had the key was not there.
Answers will vary (i.e. shoot her captors - shoot herself).
Answers will vary (i.e. she hoped Elijah would take the baby with him.)
Language Activities
A. change - snap - fold - loll - squat - scare - dip - hum
Chapter 23-24
Vocabulary:
1– g 2–j
3–d 4-a 5–i
6–b 7-c
8-f
9-e
10 - h
Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Answers will vary (i.e. when Elijah takes Hope home with him).
They thought it was too dangerous. Answers will vary.
What Chloe was trying to tell him - to take her daughter home with him.
Answers will vary (i.e. to convince Chloe it was his idea so Chloe's parting with Hope wouldn't be painful).
king
Answers will vary.
Language Activities
A. shotgun - nowhere - maybe - herself - sometimes - forehead - everything - understand runaways - halfway
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