Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic Gold) Reading Comprehension Questions
by Christopher Paul Curtis
Book Summary
Eleven-year-old Elijah is the first child born into freedom in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves. Known for being 'fragile' and easily scared, Elijah's life changes when a corrupt preacher steals the money a hardworking man named Mr. Leroy saved to buy his family out of slavery. Elijah embarks on a dangerous journey into America to get the money back, ultimately facing the horrors of slavery and finding the courage to rescue a baby girl.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 8 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic Gold).
1.What is special about Elijah in the settlement of Buxton?
2.Why does Mr. Leroy give his saved money to the Preacher?
3.What tragic event happens to Mr. Leroy on the journey to Michigan?
4.In the story, Elijah is often called 'fragile' because he cries easily and gets scared. What does the word 'fragile' mean?
5.The people of Buxton live in a 'settlement.' What is a settlement?
6.Why does the Preacher tell Elijah tall tales and trick him?
7.Why is Elijah's decision to bring the baby Hope back to Buxton so important to his character development?
8.What does the ringing of the Liberty Bell in Buxton most likely symbolize for the residents?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic Gold) to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic Gold) with children.
What was your favorite part of Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic Gold)? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic Gold), who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic Gold) make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic Gold) to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Christopher Paul Curtis wanted young readers to learn from this story?
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic Gold)?
Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic Gold) by Christopher Paul Curtis is recommended for grades 3-5 readers with an AR level of 5.4. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic Gold)?
ReadBuddy provides 8 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic Gold), covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic Gold) for reading practice?
Read the book together or independently, then use ReadBuddy's comprehension questions to check understanding. Focus on vocabulary words, discuss character motivations, and encourage your child to make connections to their own experiences.
Want your child to try the full quiz?
Just download the free app.
Scan a book cover
any book covers
Answer fun questions
with instant feedback
Watch reading grow
scores and streaks
ReadBuddy.ai
