book data
2060 ratings, 3.99 average rating, 371 reviews
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published
September 7th 1999
by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
binding
Hardcover, 256 pages
literary awards
Newbery Medal / Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner
isbn
0385323069
(isbn13: 9780385323062)
description
"It's funny how ideas are, in a lot of ways they're just like seeds. Both of them start real, real small and then... woop, zoop, sloop... before ...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 2428)
Genre: Historical fiction Reading level: Ages 9-12
A young boy decides to run away from his foster home and travel across country in search of a man he believes to be his father. His only knowledge of this elusive figure lies in his most precious possessions, a handful of flyers that his mother held dear featuring a musician in a series of jazz bands. Bud uses his wit, humor, and his “Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself”. Food and jobs may ...more
A young boy decides to run away from his foster home and travel across country in search of a man he believes to be his father. His only knowledge of this elusive figure lies in his most precious possessions, a handful of flyers that his mother held dear featuring a musician in a series of jazz bands. Bud uses his wit, humor, and his “Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself”. Food and jobs may ...more
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I always enjoy Christopher Paul Curtis' work. This book is about a boy who searches for his real father during the Great Depression. So rich with detail you'll fall in love with these characters fast and believe that you're in the story with them.
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On an adventure to find a family, Bud charms and moves the reader with both his fortitude and wit.
Ages 9-12
This is a very moving and heartwarming book. The adventurous nature of the book will appeal to children, as will the optimistic and humorous protagonist, Bud. Along his journey to find a family, Bud meets many interesting and well-presented characters, such as the mouth organ playing man at "Hooverville," his friend, Bugs, and Miss Thomas. While the setting is bleak and...more
Ages 9-12
This is a very moving and heartwarming book. The adventurous nature of the book will appeal to children, as will the optimistic and humorous protagonist, Bud. Along his journey to find a family, Bud meets many interesting and well-presented characters, such as the mouth organ playing man at "Hooverville," his friend, Bugs, and Miss Thomas. While the setting is bleak and...more
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Bud not buddy is a good book and its about a boy who runs away from home because he trys to find his dad.
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One question: Are you ready? For this Newberry honor winning, and
Coretta Scott king award novel called bud, not buddy. Christopher Paul Curtis did a phenomenal job on this book about a orphan boy named bud Caldwell who is making a non-stop journey to find his long lost father by the clues his mother gave him when she passed away when he was only 6. Only caring a suitcase and the clothes on his back bud Caldwell is determined to find his father who he suspects is the leader of a famous band ...more
Coretta Scott king award novel called bud, not buddy. Christopher Paul Curtis did a phenomenal job on this book about a orphan boy named bud Caldwell who is making a non-stop journey to find his long lost father by the clues his mother gave him when she passed away when he was only 6. Only caring a suitcase and the clothes on his back bud Caldwell is determined to find his father who he suspects is the leader of a famous band ...more
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Read in September, 2008
Summary: Bud is an orphan living in Flint Michigan during the Great Depression. He is assigned to a new foster family, but after confrontation with the family, Bud decides to run away. Bud plans to travel out west with his friend, Bugs. His plans change however when Bud fails to hop on the train. Bud decides to head to Grand Rapids, Illinois to search for his suspected biological father. On his way towards Illinois, Bud is befriended by a railroad porter named Lefty Lewis. After a quick s...more
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Read in July, 2008
Bud, Not Buddy is the Newberry Award winning book about a young African American orphan named Bud (not Buddy!) who runs away from his abusive foster family in search of his real dad. However, the only thing he has to go on is a flyer advertisement of a man named Herman E. Calloway and his band. Bud sets out on a journey across the state, meeting some unique and interesting friends, and learning some important life lessons along the way.
This story is set in Flint and Grand Rapids, which i...more
This story is set in Flint and Grand Rapids, which i...more
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Read in June, 2008
This was no The Watsons Go to Birmingham. Just a little too predictable. But it's powerfully told, and Curtis has the rare ability to get inside the head of his young narrators. Especially smart, sassy, sensitive little boys... Bud is definitely a winner.
Audiobook minuses:
While younger readers might find them really funny, these two things drove me CRazy. Especially trapped in the car wishing my eyes could glaze over a line or two.
1)The slang seemed vaguely era-appropriate (see R...more
Audiobook minuses:
While younger readers might find them really funny, these two things drove me CRazy. Especially trapped in the car wishing my eyes could glaze over a line or two.
1)The slang seemed vaguely era-appropriate (see R...more
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Read in April, 2008
In this Newbery Award winning book, a 10-year-old African-American boy manages to find a home and his true family, in Depression-era Michigan. All he owns in the world is his suitcase with mementos from his departed mother. Meet Bud, not Buddy, one of the most delightful young people you'll ever know. Bud finds what he wants, but not in the way he expected. At the beginning of the novel, Bud's mother died four years ago, forcing him to live in an orphanage. As there is no more room, he is sent t...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
Grades 3 and Up
Bud, not Buddy, is another of Christopher Paul Curtis' appealing, naive, honest and funny characters. Bud's fresh voice and social context drive this novel, which is set in Michigan during the Great Depression. While the plot tends toward the predictable- Bud, not Buddy, is an orphan who goes in search of family after his latest disaster with a foster family- I found I didn't mind that in the least.
CIP: Ten-year-old Bud, a motherless boy living in Flint, Michigan, during the Great Depressio...more
CIP: Ten-year-old Bud, a motherless boy living in Flint, Michigan, during the Great Depressio...more
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Read in May, 2008
This delightful children's novel is set during the Depression in Flint, Michigan. Bud (not Buddy) is a 10-year-old boy whose mother has died. At the beginning of the novel, Bud, who has been living in a Children's Home, is placed with a family in a temporary-care home for the summer. When the insufferable child and his adoring parents lock him in a shed (with a vampire and mad hornets!) for the night, Bud escapes and runs off to find his father. The novel continues as Bud travels in search o...more
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Read in February, 2008
After Bud Caldwell's mother dies when he is six, he lives part of the time in an orphanage and the other half he is shuffled in and out of foster homes. When, at age ten, he is sent to live with his new foster family, the Amoses, the treatment he receives is brutal and cruel. Todd Amos, a twelve year old son, teases and abuses him and when he retaliates, Mr. Amos locks Bud in a shed, with no lights, no heat, and this shed is home to assorted creatures including a hornets' nest. Bud escapes, and ...more
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Read in April, 2007
recommends it for:
ah shoot, any ol' person
For a book about a ten-year-old orphan struggling on his own during the Great Depression, Bud, Not Buddy is surprisingly upbeat. Bud gets beat up, locked in a shed and attacked by hornets; he is homeless, friendless, and constantly hungry; but all the while he stays positive about whatever small comforts come his way. There are a lot of exclamation points in this book and I'd guess the word "doggone" appears several dozen times, giving his narration a kind of "aw shucks" tone...more
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Curtis introduces students to a quirky boy desperately seeking a home in Bud, Not Buddy, winner of the Newberry Medal in 2000. Written for upper elementary readers, students will enjoy Bud’s adventures though the story’s plot is slow and simple.
Ten-year-old Bud faces life with an unfair foster family, lives alone in a shanty town, and travels through Michigan with a kind stranger before finding a home with his long-lost grandfather, a musician whose band gives Bud an identity. Set duri...more
Ten-year-old Bud faces life with an unfair foster family, lives alone in a shanty town, and travels through Michigan with a kind stranger before finding a home with his long-lost grandfather, a musician whose band gives Bud an identity. Set duri...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
Upper Elementary students, especially boys
Genre: Historical Fiction
This story depicts a 10 year old African American boy during the 1930's Depression Era. Bud, an orphan whose mother died when he was just 6, sets out on a journey to find his father. From the few belongings his mother left him, he gathers his father to be a famous band member in Grand Rapids. He travels across Michigan, meeting some good people along the way. When he finally reaches his destination, he realizes a lot about himself and his family.
Ideas for th...more
This story depicts a 10 year old African American boy during the 1930's Depression Era. Bud, an orphan whose mother died when he was just 6, sets out on a journey to find his father. From the few belongings his mother left him, he gathers his father to be a famous band member in Grand Rapids. He travels across Michigan, meeting some good people along the way. When he finally reaches his destination, he realizes a lot about himself and his family.
Ideas for th...more
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Read in June, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in July, 2008
As a teacher in a rural district not too far from Flint, Michigan, I think students would be able to make connections to the text and character of Bud. This book deals not only with the issues of the Great Depression but also with issues of abandonment and isolation. Many of my students come from non-traditional home lives and could definitely related to Bud's circumstances.
I felt that the book did an excellent job with the character development of Bud. What I felt was somewhat lacking wa...more
I felt that the book did an excellent job with the character development of Bud. What I felt was somewhat lacking wa...more
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Read in December, 2006
Ten-year-old Bud Caldwell flees an abusive foster home and sets off in search of Herman E. Calloway, the jazz musician who just might be his father. This was a fun, quick read. First, it is a really successful blend of comedy and drama; Bud’s family story gives the novel a substance that really grounds the humor. Second, it is populated by very vivid characters, such as Lefty, the union organizer, and Herman’s bandmates. Finally, Bud’s narration is very engaging and human. Curtis really ca...more
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recommended to Kayla by:
my fifth and sixth grade teacher (she gave it to me as a christm
recommends it for: anyone, it's a fairly general book
recommends it for: anyone, it's a fairly general book
I can't remember this story very well, but I remember liking the book. Something about an orphanage who has the main character "bud" in it. That's his real name, and his mom gave it to him because it symobolized the beginning state of a rose *rose bud*. Anyway, a good book, but as you probably get from this very generalized review, it's easy to forget.
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Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone
This book was excellent. It had such great details that the protagonist Bud, almost seamed real to me. I could follow his whole story line from the stairs of the library to the hotel that his father was stying in. The only thing that I think you should have done different was change the ending so that you could have made a sequal. Thats how great the book was.
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