Module 3 Book 2 - Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, and Pura Belpre Winners / Coretta Scott King - Bud, Not Buddy

Bud, Not Buddy

written by Christopher Paul Curtis



Bibliography

Curtis, C. P. (1999). Bud, not Buddy. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN-10: 0-385-32306-9

Brief Summary

Bud is forced to mature early in life due to a family situation. At the young age of ten, he travels quite a distance in search for his father after spending six years in an orphanage following the death of his mother. Not only does Bud display courage and independence in his quest, he formulates strategic plans prior to departing from “home.” Bud sought knowledge critical to the success of his expedition from a wise adult figure. He also visited a library to determine the best route to the town where his father resides. Bud refuses to quit, even when facing adversity. He is finally reunited with his father and other members of his father’s band who eventually become his “family” as well.

My Impressions

This story was a pleasure to read! I found the character of Bud to be rather endearing. His "Bud Caldwell’s Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar out of Yourself" list is quite humorous! The characters were well developed and the focus on jazz was interesting.

Reviews

“Bud, 10, is on the run from the orphanage and from yet another mean foster family…Told in the boy's naive, desperate voice, with lots of examples of his survival tactics ("Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar out of Yourself"), this will make a great read-aloud. Curtis says in an afterword that some of the characters are based on real people, including his own grandfathers, so it's not surprising that the rich blend of tall tale, slapstick, sorrow, and sweetness has the wry, teasing warmth of family folklore…Gr. 4-6.”

-- Booklist (September 1, 1999)
Hazel Rochman

“A 10-year-old boy in Depression-era Michigan sets out to find the man he believes to be his father. ‘While the harshness of Bud's circumstances are authentically depicted, Curtis imbues them with an aura of hope, and he makes readers laugh even when he sets up the most daunting scenarios,’ said PW in our Best Books citation. Ages 9-12.”

-- Publishers Weekly (January 7, 2002)
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

“…The lively humor contrasts with the grim details of the Depression-era setting and the particular difficulties faced by African Americans at that time. Bud is a plucky, engaging protagonist. Other characters are exaggerations: the good ones (the librarian and Pullman car porter who help him on his journey and the band members who embrace him) are totally open and supportive, while the villainous foster family finds particularly imaginative ways to torture their charge. However, readers will be so caught up in the adventure that they won't mind. Curtis has given a fresh, new look to a traditional orphan-finds-a-home story that would be a crackerjack read-aloud…Gr 4-7.”

-- School Library Journal (September 1, 1999)
Kathleen Isaacs, Edmund Burke School, Washington, DC
Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Suggestions for Library Use

I agree with the reviews in that this novel is appropriate for children in grades 4-6/7, although 7^th grade may be a stretch for most readers. Students interested in music, especially jazz should find this book an interesting read. It gives insight into the culture of the 1930s as well.