Writers
Christopher Paul Curtis, born in Flint, Michigan, is celebrated by both critics and young readers for his poignant and playful depictions of African-American children and their families. Bringing history to life through resilient young protagonists is his trademark, and he has received many prestigious awards, including several Newbery Medals. His reputation was cemented with his first two novels, The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 and Bud, Not Buddy. With Elijah of Buxton, Curtis moves his gaze north to Canada, portraying a community of slaves who escaped through the Underground Railroad. His new book, The Journey of Little Charlie (Scholastic), is a companion to Elijah of Buxton. Curtis lives in Windsor, Ontario.