Bud, Not Buddy

Bud, Not Buddy. ISBN 0-440-41328-8. Christopher Paul Curtis. 1999. Newberry Medal. Ages 9-12. African American Historical Fiction.

Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis, tells the story of ten-year-old Bud Caldwell as he tries to find a home during the American Depression of the thirties. Bud is orphaned in Flint Michigan at the age of six when his mother dies. The reader is introduced to ten-year-old Bud being fostered by the Amoses, a family that turns out to be quite abusive, even locking him in a shed with hornets. At this point, Bud takes to the road. When his plans to head west fall through, he decides to find who he thinks is his father in Grand Rapids. Along the way he is helped by a slew of interesting characters including Deza Malone, a little girl in Flint's Hooverville, and "Lefty" Lewis, a porter for the railroad in Grand Rapids. After reaching his destination, he meets the man he thinks is his father, Herman Calloway, and his band. They band takes Bud in as if he is part of their family, and he soon discovers that the man he thinks is his father is truly his grandfather. He has finally found a home.

Bud is faced with many challenges that most children in a school classroom won't understand, such as hunger and homelessness. This book could be used as a great "eye-opener" to children that live priveleged lives, even though they may not realize it. Bud is very observant and has many rules for living that involve not trusting people. We could discuss why he may feel this way or why he has these rules and if we think he will still live by these rules now that he has found a home.