In 1860, Elijah Freeman is only eleven years old when he is brought into the world in the Buxton area in Canada where he lives with his parents and slaves. Elijah knows about slavery and the meaning of freedom. What he does know is that Mr. Leroy is willing to risk everything to buy his wife and children out of slavery. Unfortunately Elijah learns a lesson about the untrustworthiness of strangers when the Preacher, offers to help Mr. Leroy but ends up stealing his money. Mr. Leroy's journey ends sadly, but Elijah's effort to help him. As a baby, Elijah was made a symbol of hope by Mr. Frederick Douglass, and now he has earned this distinction by becoming the youngest conductor on the Underground Railroad.
Theme:
The book's theme is "not to judge others because of their appearance." Throughout the entire book, Elijah, the people of Buxton, and other African American people are being judged by the white people. They are mainly judged because of their skin color. But, this does not hurt the people of Buxton and they still act civilized and kind to others. There are a small number of people in the book that view them as equals. One of these people is Mr. Benjamin Alston. This white man is kind enough to look past skin color and help people out. An example of this is when he helps Elijah's friend, Mr. Highgate, after he is shot. This theme of "not judging others because of their appearance" is important in life, because with a more open mind towards others, you will be less likely to hurt people in any way.
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