Bud, Not Buddy was written by Christopher Paul Curtis who also wrote The Watsons Go To Birmingham- 1963. This book has been awarded the Coretta Scott King award. The story tells about ten year old Bud. Bud has been an orphan for four years after the death of his mother. He was been placed in the home of the Amos'. After being beaten up by their son and locked into a shed, Bud escaped.
Carrying only a suitcase filled with all of his belongings Bud decides to head to Grand Rapids to find the man he believes is his father, a musician named Herman E. Calloway. During his journey, he encounters many people that him. One family claimed him as their son, Clarance, so that he could have food from the mission. He received a meal and his first kiss at a cardboard jungle set up by the railroad tracks. He also received a ride from a man, Mrs.Lewis, he determined was a vampire because he had a container of blood in the front seat of his car. Turns out he was delivering blood to the hospital and took Bud to his home for a night's rest and a hot breakfast. Mr. Lewis drove Bud to meet his father, Herman E. Calloway.
After meeting Herman for the first time, Bud is disappointed about the possibility of him being his father. For one, the man is old and unapproachable. After being accused of being Bud's father, Herman was less approachable and father-like. Bud became friends with the other band members. While driving home from a music jig, Bud rode home with Herman. Herman collected a rock and shared with Bud an old habit. Herman would carve the city and date into the rock. Bud has a similar rock, which he shows to Herman. This rock pieces the puzzle together as Bud, Herman, and the band members realize that Herman is not Bud's father, but grandfather. Bud's mother was Herman's daughter that had run away.
Herman has to accept the fact that he has lost a daughter, but gained a granddaughter. The book ends with Bud receiving a saxophone from the band members and being hopeful about his future.
I enjoyed reading this book for many reasons. Bud was a very real character who was humorous, innocent, and a survivor. I enjoyed reading his list of rules, "to Have a Funner Life and Make a Better Liar Out of Yourself", that were interjected throughout the book. This book took place during the Depression. I related this book to my grandmother who lived during the Depression. Sometimes, she'll talk about how hard it was and how resourceful they had to be. The book deals with issues such as racism, homelessness, family relationships, and poverty. This would be a great book to use in a literature circle type setting.
Carrying only a suitcase filled with all of his belongings Bud decides to head to Grand Rapids to find the man he believes is his father, a musician named Herman E. Calloway. During his journey, he encounters many people that him. One family claimed him as their son, Clarance, so that he could have food from the mission. He received a meal and his first kiss at a cardboard jungle set up by the railroad tracks. He also received a ride from a man, Mrs.Lewis, he determined was a vampire because he had a container of blood in the front seat of his car. Turns out he was delivering blood to the hospital and took Bud to his home for a night's rest and a hot breakfast. Mr. Lewis drove Bud to meet his father, Herman E. Calloway.
After meeting Herman for the first time, Bud is disappointed about the possibility of him being his father. For one, the man is old and unapproachable. After being accused of being Bud's father, Herman was less approachable and father-like. Bud became friends with the other band members. While driving home from a music jig, Bud rode home with Herman. Herman collected a rock and shared with Bud an old habit. Herman would carve the city and date into the rock. Bud has a similar rock, which he shows to Herman. This rock pieces the puzzle together as Bud, Herman, and the band members realize that Herman is not Bud's father, but grandfather. Bud's mother was Herman's daughter that had run away.
Herman has to accept the fact that he has lost a daughter, but gained a granddaughter. The book ends with Bud receiving a saxophone from the band members and being hopeful about his future.
I enjoyed reading this book for many reasons. Bud was a very real character who was humorous, innocent, and a survivor. I enjoyed reading his list of rules, "to Have a Funner Life and Make a Better Liar Out of Yourself", that were interjected throughout the book. This book took place during the Depression. I related this book to my grandmother who lived during the Depression. Sometimes, she'll talk about how hard it was and how resourceful they had to be. The book deals with issues such as racism, homelessness, family relationships, and poverty. This would be a great book to use in a literature circle type setting.
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