Literature Unit by Pamela S. Freed

Includes: Book Talk Teaching Tips (genre, setting, main characters, game/activity, story-related recipe) Comprehension & skills questions (open-ended) Comprehension & skills questions (multiple choice) Vocabulary List Glossary Teacher Key for questions and vocabulary Vocabulary Puzzle Student Page Vocabulary Puzzle Teacher Key

Created by Pamela S. Freed for LitBlitz.com

Permission to copy for classroom or book club use only. Electronic distribution limited to classroom or book club use only.

All rights reserved by author.

2005-2012

Star Book Café Book Talk Tips

Genre: Historical Fiction Setting: Buxton, Canada Main Characters: Elijah, Cooter, Mrs. Holton, Penelope, Cicley, Mr. Leroy, Mr. Highgate, Emma, Mr. Travis, Mrs. Chloe, Preacher, Ma, Pa

Settling in on the Settlement...

Supplies Needed: Paper Pencils Have the students discuss the settlement of Buxton as it is portrayed in the book. Is it a pleasant place to live? How did it come to exist? Have them discuss all the prejudices and challenges that the residents still face.

Map it Out

Have the students draw a map of the settlement as they imagine it to be.

Suggested snacks:

Swedish Fish® candies to represent Elijah’s special

talent of throwing rocks at fish in the pond.

1. What is Elijah’s excuse for the way he treated Mr. Leroy?

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2. Who warns Elijah about the presence of the preacher?

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3. While Samuel is hypnotized, what type of material does the mesmerist convince him his clothes are made of?

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4. Which character was first to see people hiding in the woods?

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5. When Elijah and Chloe sit down to talk, what does Elijah tell her?

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6. By attending the carnival, what does the preacher say Elijah will be doing?

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7. What is Mr. Leroy’s reaction to the warnings Mr. Freeman gave him about the preacher?

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8. As the new refugees grow accustomed to the idea of being free, what does Elijah’s father say to them?

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9. What strange quality of the mesmerist’s eyes does Elijah notice that upset him?

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10. Who does Elijah write a letter to before leaving with Mr. Leroy?

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11. What happened to Mr. Leroy’s daughter?

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12. How much did Mrs. Holton pay Elijah to help with the work on her property?

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13. The writing on the letter to Mrs. Holton tells Elijah what?

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14. Outside of the stable where the preacher was supposed to be gambling, what attacked Elijah?

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15. What is the setting of Elijah of Buxton?

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16. What is the genre of Elijah of Buxton?

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17. What big event happened with the Liberty Bell in the 1920s?

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18. What was the refugee holding behind his back when Emma convinced him to come out of the woods?

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19. Mrs. Holton has how many children?

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20. Who does the author dedicate the book to?

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1. What is Elijah’s excuse for the way he treated Mr. Leroy?

A. He was annoyed. B. He was tired.

C. He was mad at his mother. D. He was frustrated with Cooter.

2. Who warns Elijah about the presence of the preacher? A. Mr. Segee B. Mr. Leroy C. Old Flapjack D. the barn dog

3. While Samuel is hypnotized, what type of material does the mesmerist convince him his clothes are made of? A. cotton B. nylon C. silk D. cashmere

4. Which character was first to see people hiding in the woods? A. Elijah B. Emma C. Elijah’s dad D. Cooter

5. When Elijah and Chloe sit down to talk, what does Elijah tell her?

A. his plans to save her B. about his friends

C. what he wants to be when he grows up D. about Buxton 6. By attending the carnival, what does the preacher say Elijah will be doing?

A. helping the church B. helping slaves escape

C. helping the settlement D. helping his family 7. What is Mr. Leroy’s reaction to the warnings Mr. Freeman gave him about the preacher?

A. He tells him that he doesn’t trust the preacher either.

B. He tells him that sometimes you have to have faith.

C. He tells him that his opinion is his own.

D. He tells him that he would never cheat him.

8. As the new refugees grow accustomed to the idea of being free, what does Elijah’s father say to them?

A. He points out the beauty of the land and sky.

B. He tells them the rules of Buxton.

C. He tells them what will happen to them down the road.

D. He tells them about his own story of escape from slavery.

9. What strange quality of the mesmerist’s eyes does Elijah notice that upset him?

A. He seems blind. B. He has three sets of eyes.

C. His eyes are purple. D. He has two sets of eyes. 10. Who does Elijah write a letter to before leaving with Mr. Leroy? A. Emma B. Cooter C. Mrs. Bixby D. his parents 11. What happened to Mr. Leroy’s daughter?

A. She was forced to marry an Indian B. She was sold.

C. She died when she was 5 years old. D. She died when she was a baby

12. How much did Mrs. Holton pay Elijah to help with the work on her property? A. a dime B. a dollar C. a quarter D. a nickel 13. The writing on the letter to Mrs. Holton tells Elijah what?

A. about the death of a loved one

B. word of a slave catcher coming to town

C. news about old friends who had escaped

D. a threat to return to slavery 14. Outside of the stable where the preacher was supposed to be gambling, what attacked Elijah? A. a cougar B. a bear C. a pig D. a dog 15. What is the setting of Elijah of Buxton? A. Buxton, Canada B. Buxton, United States C. Buxton, Germany D. Buxton, France 16. What is the genre of Elijah of Buxton? A. historical non-fiction B. historical fiction C. historical mystery D. historical comedy 17. What big event happened with the Liberty Bell in the 1920s?

A. The church that housed it was sold.

B. It cracked, so they threw it away.

C. It was sold to a museum.

D. It was stolen. 18. What was the refugee holding behind his back when Emma convinced him to come out of the woods? A. a rock B. a knife C. a gun D. a rope 19. Mrs. Holton has how many children? A. 6 B. 4 C. 2 D. 3 20. Who does the author dedicate the book to?

A. his daughter

B. his wife

C. the original former slave settlers and Reverend William King

D. his teacher, who taught him the value of equality

Elijah of Buxton Questions and Answers

1. What is Elijah’s excuse for the way he treated Mr. Leroy? b. He was tired

2. Who warns Elijah about the presence of the preacher? c. Old Flapjack

3. While Samuel is hypnotized, what type of material does the mesmerist convince his clothes are made of? c. Silk 4. Which character was first to see people hiding in the woods?

a. Elijah

5. When Elijah and Chloe sit down to talk, what does Elijah tell her? d. About Buxton

6. By attending the carnival, what does the preacher say Elijah will be doing? c. Helping the settlement

7. What is Mr. Leroy’s reaction to the warnings Mr. Freeman gave him about the preacher? b. He tells him that sometimes you have to have faith

8. As the new refugees grow accustomed to the idea of being free, what does Elijah’s father say to them? a. He points out the beauty of the land and sky

9. What strange quality of the mesmerist’s eyes does Elijah notice that upset him? d. He has two sets of eyes

10. Who does Elijah write a letter to before leaving with Mr. Leroy? b. Cooter 11. What happened to Mr. Leroy’s daughter?

b. She was sold

12. How much did Mrs. Holton pay Elijah to help with the work on her property? d. A nickel

13. The writing on the letter to Mrs. Holton tells Elijah what? a. About the death of a loved one

14. Outside of the stable where the preacher was supposed to be gambling, what attacked Elijah? d. A dog

15. What is the setting of Elijah of Buxton? a. Buxton, Canada

16. What is the genre of Elijah of Buxton? b. Historical fiction

17. What big event happened with the Liberty Bell in the 1920s? a. The church that housed it was sold

18.What was the refugee holding behind his back when Emma convinced him to come out of the woods? b. A knife

19. Mrs. Holton has how many children? c. 2 20. Who does the author dedicate the book to?

The original former slave settlers and Reverend William King

Elijah of Buxton Vocabulary

1. abolitionist - _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 2. dexterity - _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 3. taut - _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 4. rickety - _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 5. speculate - _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 6. tarry - _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 7. remunerate - _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 8. daft - _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 9. blaspheme - _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 10. calamity - _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

Elijah of Buxton Glossary

abolitionist: a person (especially prior to the Civil War) who wishes to be rid of slavery, or any law or practice that may be harmful to society blaspheme: to speak badly or irreverently of God or sacred things calamity: a huge disaster (as in a flood, tornado, or other natural disaster), or a situation which causes much grief daft: foolish; crazy; senseless; stupid dexterity: the ability or skill in using one’s hands or body; also mental ability or skill renumerate: to pay or give a reward for someone’s work, services, or trouble rickety: shaky; wobbly; likely to collapse or fall apart speculate: to mediate or reflect on something, especially the outcome of a situation tarry: to wait or delay in action taut: to draw in tightly with no slack

Elijah of Buxton Vocabulary and Definitions

1. abolitionist – a person (especially prior to the Civil War) who wishes to be rid of slavery, or any law or practice that may be harmful to society

2. dexterity – the ability or skill in using one’s hands or body; also mental ability or skill

3. taut – to draw in tightly with no slack 4. rickety – shaky; wobbly; likely to collapse or fall apart

5. speculate – to mediate or reflect on something, especially the outcome of a situation

6. tarry – to wait or delay in action 7. remunerate – to pay or give a reward for someone’s work, services, or trouble 8. daft – foolish; crazy; senseless; stupid

9. blaspheme – to speak badly or irreverently of God or sacred things 10. calamity – a huge disaster (as in a flood, tornado, or other natural disaster), or a situation

which causes much grief

Instructions: Fill the answers to the clues by using all the syllables in the Syllabox. The number of letters in each vocabulary word is shown by the dashes. Number of syllables is shown in parentheses before

answer dashes. Each syllable is only used once.

SYLLABOX tar late blas lam re taut ry o spec e er i ter ty phem ists daft u rick lis e mun ty ca i tion dex ty ate ab

1. to draw in tightly with no slack

2. to wait or delay in action 3. to mediate or reflect on something, especially the outcome of a situation

4. foolish; crazy; senseless; stupid 5. shaky; wobbly; likely to collapse or fall apart 6. to pay or give a reward for someone’s work, services, or trouble 7. a huge disaster (as in a flood, tornado, or other natural disaster), or a situation which causes much grief 8. the ability or skill in using one’s hands or body; also mental ability or skill 9. to speak badly or irreverently of God or sacred things 10. a person (especially prior to the Civ-il War) who wishes to be rid of slavery, or any law or practice that may be harm-ful to society

(1) __ __ __ __

(2) __ __ __ __ __

(3) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

(1) __ __ __ __ C

(3) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ C

(4) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ C

(4) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

(4) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ C

(3) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

(5) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Syllable ScrambleSyllable ScrambleSyllable Scramble

Instructions: Fill the answers to the clues by using all the syllables in the Syllabox. The number of letters in each vocabulary word is shown by the dashes. Number of syllables is shown in parentheses before

answer dashes. Each syllable is only used once.

SYLLABOX tar late blas lam re taut ry o spec e er i ter ty phem ists daft u rick lis e mun ty ca i tion dex ty ate ab

1. to draw in tightly with no slack

2. to wait or delay in action 3. to mediate or reflect on something, especially the outcome of a situation

4. foolish; crazy; senseless; stupid 5. shaky; wobbly; likely to collapse or fall apart 6. to pay or give a reward for someone’s work, services, or trouble 7. a huge disaster (as in a flood, tornado, or other natural disaster), or a situation which causes much grief 8. the ability or skill in using one’s hands or body; also mental ability or skill 9. to speak badly or irreverently of God or sacred things 10. a person (especially prior to the Civ-il War) who wishes to be rid of slavery, or any law or practice that may be harm-ful to society

(1) __ __ __ __

(2) __ __ __ __ __

(3) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

(1) __ __ __ __ C

(3) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ C

(4) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ C

(4) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

(4) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ C

(3) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

(5) __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Syllable ScrambleSyllable ScrambleSyllable Scramble

T A U T

T A R R Y S P E C U L A T E

D A F T

R I C K E T Y

R E M U N E R A T E

C A L A M I T Y

D E X T E R I T Y B L A S P H E M Y A B O L I T I O N I S T

READING UNITS AVAILABLE FROM Pamela S. Freed & See LitBlitz.com for more information on book clubs

Elementary - Primary:

Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days by Stephen Manes Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (The) Berenstain Bears and the Wheelchair Commando by Stan and Jan Berenstain (The) Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (The) Best Halloween Ever by Barbara Robinson (The) Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner (The) Boy of the Three Year Nap by Dianne Snyder Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith (The) Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett (The) Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown Freckle Juice by Judy Blume Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel (The) Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry How Many Days to America? By Eve Bunting How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell (The) Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco Mailing May by Michael O. Tunnell Math Curse by Jon Scieszka Mike Mulligan & His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton (The) Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner Stone Soup by Marcia Brown (The) Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas When Pigasso Met Mootisse by Nina Laden Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Elementary - Intermediate and/or Middle School:

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson Fly Like a Witch by David Mark Lopez Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift Inkheart by Cornelia Funke Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli Number the Stars by Lois Lowry Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco Romeo and Juliet retold by Bruce Coville Run Like a Fugitive by David Mark Lopez Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan The Butterfly by Patricia Polacco The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick The Lightning Thief by Rock Riordan The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury The River Between Us by Richard Peck The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke The Time Machine by H. G. Wells The Wall by Eve Bunting The Watsons Go To Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss

COMING SOON!

A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride by Pam Munoz Ryan Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson Fight Like a Patriot by David Mark Lopez Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keves Hatchet by Gary Paulsen Holes by Louis Sachar Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford Saturday and Teacakes by Lester Laminack So B. It by Sarah Weeks So Far From the Sea by Eve Bunting Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust by Eve Bunting The Bracelet by Yoshiko Uchida The Harmonica by Tony Johnston The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy The Lord of the Flies by William Golding The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson The Yellow Star - The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark by Carmen Agra Deedy Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White