CLA: 2008 April 21
Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis, published by Scholastic Canada Ltd. in 2007, has been chosen as the winner of the 2008 Book of the Year for Children Award.
In selecting this title, the committee members stated Elijah of Buxton is a “story of real strength.” The protagonist Elijah, who is the first free-born black child in Buxton, Ontario in 1859, is “a wonderfully developed sensitive soul with an engaging sense of life.” Christopher Paul Curtis writes of Elijah’s upbringing so expressively that “his innocence and sense of fairness and freedom justify his actions, setting up the ‘most beautifullest, most perfectest’ story Curtis could have written”. Christopher Paul Curtis “eloquently portrays the underpinnings of brotherhood through a landscape of heartache, tragedy, but in the end, loving devotion and convictions.”
Recognition is also extended to this year’s honour title, The Eye of the Crow by Shane Peacock (Tundra Books).
The award will be presented at this year’s Book Awards reception, on May 22, 2008, in Vancouver, British Columbia, during the CLA/ACB 2008 National Conference & Trade Show.
The Canadian Library Association/Association canadienne des bibliothèques is Canada’s largest national and broad-based library association, representing the interests of public, academic, school and special libraries, professional librarians and library workers, and all those concerned about enhancing the quality of life of Canadians through information and literacy.
Media Contact: Jasmine Loewen, Canmore Public Library.
Email: jloewen@canmorelibrary.ab.ca
