Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

As the first free-born child in a Canadian settlement of escaped slaves, Elijah is expected to be a model citizen. Instead, he is a fragile boy prone to fits of fear and crying. He's trying to be stronger, and has the perfect opportunity to test his courage when he accompanies a friend on a dangerous mission across the border into America to recover stolen gold. *** As always, Curtis blends humor, action, realistic details and unforgettable characters into a seamless and satisfying whole.