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Christopher Paul Curtis
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The Madman of Piney Woods (Scholastic Gold) Hardcover – September 30, 2014

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 83 ratings
Editors' pick Best Books Ages 9-12
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Bestselling Newbery Medalist Christopher Paul Curtis delivers a powerful companion to his multiple award-winning ELIJAH OF BUXTON.

Benji and Red couldn't be more different. They aren't friends. They don't even live in the same town. But their fates are entwined. A chance meeting leads the boys to discover that they have more in common than meets the eye. Both of them have encountered a strange presence in the forest, watching them, tracking them. Could the Madman of Piney Woods be real? In a tale brimming with intrigue and adventure, Christopher Paul Curtis returns to the vibrant world he brought to life in Elijah of Buxton. Here is another novel that will break your heart -- and expand it, too.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    8 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    384 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 7
  5. Lexile measure
    870L
  6. Dimensions
    5 x 1 x 8 inches
  7. Publisher
    Scholastic Press
  8. Publication date
    September 30, 2014
  9. ISBN-10
    0545156645
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0545156646
  11. See all details
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Teachers' picks | Explore children's books by grade

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4–6—This companion novel to Elijah of Buxton(Scholastic, 2007), set 40 years after its conclusion, is a powerful testimony to the joys of friendship and the cost of unresolved hatred. The lingering effects of prejudice and unbelievable hardship weigh heavily in the lives of Benji, the descendant of American slaves, and Red, the grandson of an Irish immigrant to Canada. A chance meeting at a forensics competition brings these two different boys together; their initial conversation, in which they talk about their physical differences, is awkwardly charming and sincere. Although their communities are different, they have both grown up with the legend of a crazed former slave, a hermit called "The Madman of Piney Woods." Their friendship is complicated by the fact that Red's grandmother is extremely racist and fearful. The strong father-son relationship between Red and his father is tenderly and honestly created. Relationships between family and friends are realistically complicated, changing, and complex. The horror of Ireland's potato famine, the "coffin ships" that carried Grandmother O'Toole to Canada, and the prejudice faced by Irish-Canadians are brutally brought to life, as is the constant tension felt by the few remaining original settlers of Buxton. Although occasionally somber and heartbreaking, there is great humor, hope, and adventure from Benji and Red. The conclusion may be less powerful if readers are not familiar with Elijah, but it is stunning nonetheless. An author's note on the inspiration and creation of the story is included.—Jennifer Schultz, Fauquier County Public Library, Warrenton, VA

Review

"Curtis deftly makes what might have been simply heart-rending hopeful and redeeming instead... a pleasure to read." -- New York Times Book Review* "A delight, featuring the author's obvious love for his characters, his skillful use of sentiment, and his often hyperbolic humor... quintessential Curtis." -- Booklist, starred review* "A journey of revelation and insight... profoundly moving yet also at times very funny." -- Horn Book Magazine, starred review* "Beautiful storytelling as only Curtis can do it." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "Curtis masterfully interweaves goofy family vignettes, memorable characters, and thought-provoking themes into a page-turner with appeal to multiple audiences and tastes." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review"Poignant and powerful." -- Publishers Weekly

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scholastic Press (September 30, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0545156645
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0545156646
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 870L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 1 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 83 ratings

About the author

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Christopher Paul Curtis

Christopher Paul Curtis

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Photo © 2003 James Keyser

author spotlight

"To me the highest accolade comes when a young reader tells me, 'I really liked your book.' The young seem to be able to say 'really' with a clarity, a faith, and an honesty that we as adults have long forgotten. That is why I write."--Christopher Paul Curtis

Christopher Paul Curtis made an outstanding debut in children's literature with The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963. His second novel, Bud, Not Buddy, is the first book ever to receive both the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Author Award.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born in Flint, Michigan, Christopher Paul Curtis spent his first 13 years after high school on the assembly line of Flint's historic Fisher Body Plant # 1. His job entailed hanging car doors, and it left him with an aversion to getting into and out of large automobiles--particularly big Buicks.

With grandfathers like Earl "Lefty" Lewis, a Negro Baseball League pitcher, and 1930s bandleader Herman E. Curtis, Sr., of Herman Curtis and the Dusky Devastators of the Depression, it is easy to see why Christopher Paul Curtis was destined to become an entertainer.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 tells the story of 10-year-old Kenny and his family, the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan, and their unforgettable journey that leads them into one of the darkest moments in American history. It is by turns a hilarious, touching, and tragic story about civil rights and the impact of violence on one family.

Curtis's novel Bud, Not Buddy focuses on 10-year-old Bud Caldwell, who hits the road in search of his father and his home. Times may be hard in 1936 Flint, Michigan, but orphaned Bud's got a few things going for him; he believes his mother left a clue of who his father was--and nothing can stop Bud from trying to find him.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
83 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Darlene
5.0 out of 5 stars Master of words, burner of images.
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2014
Verified Purchase
Mr. Curtis is a magician with words. His books a delicacy - savor slowly- before digesting the wisdom. Although it is not a sequel to Elijah- it should be shared immediately afterward. Warning to grade 4-6 teachers -as with Elijah there are powerfully graphic images so please read the novel before sharing. Elijah of Buxton, forever my favorite, but boys who are mature enough to follow two story lines will learn deep lessons.
9 people found this helpful
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JBoles
5.0 out of 5 stars Great, awesome, fun book, with great adventures and mysteries
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2015
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B liked the stories about the civil war. So much history woven nicely into the main stories. Mom liked how a love of nature, family, learning and humor shined through the narrative from the beginning. Some tough history and family events but everything intertwined nicely with the movement of the story. Beautiful!
One person found this helpful
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ernest drown
5.0 out of 5 stars Another gem from Curtis
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
I loved this companion book to Elijah of Buxton. A tender telling of a good story, and a well-done take on black-white friendship. And a pretty good plot...so it's enjoyable on several levels. And there's nothing quite like this one.
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Samira P.
4.0 out of 5 stars Slow but great ending
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2020
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This book was a hard one for me. I have loved everyone of Christopher Paul Curtis’ books, but this one was hard for me to follow. It took until the last few chapters for me to really enjoy it. Then ending helped and made me feel reading the whole book was worthwhile.
One person found this helpful
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dlstroblight
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic! Old school friend and huge fan of Christopher ...
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2015
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Fantastic! Old school friend and huge fan of Christopher Paul Curtis! This book did not disappoint! It was one of my reads for Black History Month.
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Garth R. Mailman
3.0 out of 5 stars Never judge a book (or a person) by its cover
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2018
The problem with audio files is the issue of drifting off in the middle of listening to them. This tale is larded with a great deal of philosophy.
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Keller
5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, I was pulled away a lot and in some cases for weeks but was able to return to the story without missing where I had left. The layout helps build the main characters before they come together. I very much enjoyed when boys were interacting. The author made some very good points throughout the book and I see them as proverbs to live by. I hope you read it without expectation and see where you might be enlightened and where you can make difference in your own perspectives.
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Mrs. N
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect!
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2019
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Perfect!
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Top reviews from other countries

GibbyReviews
3.0 out of 5 stars It's okay, nothing special.
Reviewed in Canada on February 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book is not as good as the first book and I found that it lacked the emotion and interest of the first book. That may just be my opinion, but I just don't think it lives up to my expectations. Especially after the first book was such an amazing read!
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