This is a companion to [b:Elijah of Buxton|638689|Elijah of Buxton|Christopher Paul Curtis|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328843610s/638689.jpg|2247514], which I haven't read. I think this book holds its own--Elijah is a minor character in this one. I'm interested now to go back and read his story, though.

This is a historical-adventure story with an interesting setting--a black community (and an Irish community) in Canada in 1901. It's a good lens for looking at slavery and the Civil War from a relatively close distance, and Curtis does it well, in an age-appropriate way. It's also rare for kids lit to touch on the shitty treatment Irish immigrants got and how that contributed to racism in its own way.

I liked the friendship between Red and Benji, and the gradual reveal of the "Madman" was great. (I wonder how differently that would read if I had read Elijah of Buxton? Not sure.)

Anyway, I'd definitely recommend this to middle-grade readers who are interested in historical fiction, but also ones who are interested in science or journalism. (Red and Benji are very interested in science and journalism, respectively.)