The year is 1901 and friends Benjie, the grandson of runaway slaves, and Red, the grandson of Irish immigrants, tell their story in alternating chapters. A companion book for Curtis’s Elijah of Buxton.

middlegrade historic fiction--Ontario, Canada, circa 1901 (fist fights, civil war violence, father beating son). Companion book to Elijah of Buxton, but stands alone (and you can read the other in whatever order without having spoiled anything). Includes gory first-hand account of scalping during civil war, and it did lag a bit in the middle, but after that turns into story of friendship and growing responsibilities for the 13-year-old boys. CPC produces quality children's books (I've not read Elijah but did enjoy Bud, Not Buddy) and that is reason enough to pick up this book.
The ending was fine, but WHAT HAPPENED TO CURLY? Seems odd to celebrate Spencer's speech competitor's family moving away, whilst totally forgetting about Red's troubled friend whose whole family is threatened by imminent tragedy. Did I totally miss the part where the drunk dad gets hauled away for what passed for therapy in those days? ( )

Set about 40 years after the events in Elijah of Buxton, this is the story of two boys and their separate lives and dreams: Benji is African-American, and his dream is to be a journalist; Red is Irish-Canadian, son of a judge, and his grandmother is a first-generation immigrant whose hatred has constricted her into a horrific human being. Benji and Red become friends after a chance meeting, and discover that although they have grown up in different towns, they each know the legend of a frightening man who dwells in the woods. The true identity of this person is revealed through a terrible tragedy. ( )

This is a beautiful, well-written story. The only thing holding it back from a 5 star rating is the plot. The two main characters, who take turns narrating the story, are engaging and likable. And while their two stories do eventually merge, I question the decision to structure the story in this fashion. Does it benefit from the split? I'm not sure. ( )

The Madman of Piney Woods, had me emotionally involved especially in the second half when the characters of the sequel, Elijah of Buxton, are intertwined in the story. The 13 year old boys prove to be more mature than their age. Their friendship and family are very realistic.
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Curriculum Connections

Language Arts
Explain the following simile: “And that means the man [Mr. Travis] is on you like a tick, you caint get away from him no matter where you go” (p. 78). Find other examples of similes in the novel. Instruct students to select a favorite scene that involves Elijah, Cooter, or the Preacher and write a simile that describes the situation. L. 5-7.5
The dialogue in the novel is written in dialect. Ask students to find a favorite passage and rewrite it in Standard English. How does this change the authenticity and tone of the story? RL. 6-7.4

Social Studies
Read about people of the Underground Railroad on the following website: pathways.thinkport.org/library/people.cfm. Ask students to select one of the lesser-known people and write a tribute to that person from Elijah’s point of view. Use photographs and maps to enhance the tribute. If possible, have students post their writing on the schoolwide network for other students to read. W. 5-7.3, W. 5-7.4, W. 5-7.6; RH. 6-8.8

Drama
When a new free person arrives in Buxton, the Liberty Bell is rung twenty times. Everyone in the Settlement comes to the schoolhouse to welcome them. Write and deliver a welcome speech called “Buxton—The Land of the Free” that Elijah might deliver. W. 5-7.3; SL. 5-7.4

Music
In class, view the “Follow the Drinking Gourd” music video. Identify the “code” words in the lyrics. Explain why the song was so important to slaves escaping to freedom. Discuss why it was also important during the civil rights movement. RH. 6-8.7; RI. 5-7.7

Vocabulary/Use of Language
Students should be encouraged to jot down unfamiliar words and try to define them using clues from the context. Such words may include: conjure (p. 31), blaspheming (p. 41), scallywags (p. 58), shackles (p. 58), haint (p. 60), jacklegged (p. 65), dexterity (p. 108), paddy-rollers (p. 163), missive (p. 195), abolitionist (p. 204), slavers (p. 204), and eavesdrop (p. 257). L. 5-7.4