Elijah of Buxton (Scholastic Gold)

Set in a settlement of runaway slaves, an eleven-year-old boy named Elijah, the first free child born in Buxton, struggles with his identity and the expectations placed upon him. Often seen as fragile and talkative, he faces a turning point when a former slave steals money intended to free his friend's family. Tasked with retrieving the stolen funds, Elijah embarks on a perilous journey that challenges his fears and could transform him into a hero, provided he can muster the courage to return home.