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Understanding Buddy
Everyone in Sam Keeperman's fifth-grade class thinks the new boy, Buddy White, is strange. Buddy won't talk, or smile, or even pick up a pencil, and he walks all hunched over, like someone caught in the rain. Some of the kids make fun of Buddy, but not Sam. That's because Sam knows what's bothering him: Three months ago, Buddy's mom was killed in a car accident. She used to clean Sam's house, and ever since Sam found out what happened to her, he can't get her out of his mind. Sam sticks up for Buddy, but the other kids start picking on Sam, too. Even Sam's best friend turns against him.
The more time Sam spends with Buddy -- and the more Buddy comes out of his shell -- the more Sam understands what it means to lose someone you love. And what it means to be a friend.
The more time Sam spends with Buddy -- and the more Buddy comes out of his shell -- the more Sam understands what it means to lose someone you love. And what it means to be a friend.
- GenresFictionRealistic Fiction
128 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2001
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 23, 2019
Understanding Buddy by Marc Kornblatt is about Sam Keeperman's 5th grade class and how someone just joined it. Buddy just lost his mother in a severe car crash over the summer. Sam Keeperman's cleaning lady was Buddy's mom, he was sad when he heard the news because she always cheered him up. Everyday when he would go to school he would hear the cleaning lady just having a simple conversation with him. When he learned it was Buddy's mom he wants to become friends with him. I would recommend this book for younger readers.
July 28, 2010
Ages: 9 - 11
"Understanding Buddy" by Marc Kornblatt is the story of a boy named Sam who, over time, becomes friends with a classmate named Buddy whose mother has recently died. Buddy is traumatized by the death of his mother, and, as a result, stops talking. Kids a school make fun of Buddy, but Sam, who knew his mother before she died, reaches out to him and brings him out of his shell.
This book has a good message, but the story is not too interesting. The anticipation of Buddy speaking is the closest thing to a climax in the book. The boys go to school, play soccer, ride bikes, and occasionally compare religious beliefs. (Sam is Jewish and Buddy is a Jehovah's Witness.) Young readers may identify with the characters, but they will probably become bored as the story fails to progress.
Cultural details related to Jewish life are limited and do not impact the story much. There are several scenes in which Sam uses his Hebrew school lessons to compare to his actual life. Other than that, the book could have been about a kid from any background.
Students who have experienced the loss of a parent might identify with Buddy's actions in the book. However, they might find his selective mutism unrealistic as well.
"Understanding Buddy" by Marc Kornblatt is the story of a boy named Sam who, over time, becomes friends with a classmate named Buddy whose mother has recently died. Buddy is traumatized by the death of his mother, and, as a result, stops talking. Kids a school make fun of Buddy, but Sam, who knew his mother before she died, reaches out to him and brings him out of his shell.
This book has a good message, but the story is not too interesting. The anticipation of Buddy speaking is the closest thing to a climax in the book. The boys go to school, play soccer, ride bikes, and occasionally compare religious beliefs. (Sam is Jewish and Buddy is a Jehovah's Witness.) Young readers may identify with the characters, but they will probably become bored as the story fails to progress.
Cultural details related to Jewish life are limited and do not impact the story much. There are several scenes in which Sam uses his Hebrew school lessons to compare to his actual life. Other than that, the book could have been about a kid from any background.
Students who have experienced the loss of a parent might identify with Buddy's actions in the book. However, they might find his selective mutism unrealistic as well.
May 19, 2016
Like the portrayal of a sensitive boy, Sam, trying to shield his new classmate Buddy (his dead cleaning lady's son) from taunting and embarrassment. His classmates don't know about Buddy's mother's death, and Buddy isn't talking or participating in class..."retarded" --and then Buddy shows up at soccer practice wearing a unique, cast-off shirt that Sam had made, and that his teammates recognize as Sam's: "Where'd you get the shirt, Buddy??"
However, I don't believe that Sam would have kept the secret from his best friend for that long, especially once it jeopardized their friendship. You could argue that he expected better from his friend, but I didn't find it plausible.
However, I liked the tie-in to his weekly bar mitzvah classes and the ethical and moral dilemmas his own situation and the Bible stories presented. Sam's musings about death and the afterlife are universal. And Buddy is an interesting character: stoic, stubborn and a talented soccer player and artist.
Relatively short but thought provoking. Chapp doesn't own.
However, I don't believe that Sam would have kept the secret from his best friend for that long, especially once it jeopardized their friendship. You could argue that he expected better from his friend, but I didn't find it plausible.
However, I liked the tie-in to his weekly bar mitzvah classes and the ethical and moral dilemmas his own situation and the Bible stories presented. Sam's musings about death and the afterlife are universal. And Buddy is an interesting character: stoic, stubborn and a talented soccer player and artist.
Relatively short but thought provoking. Chapp doesn't own.
March 10, 2011
Understanding buddy by Marc Kornblatt has 112 pages and is about Buddy White as he joins Sam Keeperman's fifth grade class. He is so shy that he wont say hello or even pick up a pencil. So a kid wants to find out whats wrong and later on understands that he lost his mom to a car accendent. So now he lives his live sad and heart broken. I thought the book was okay and i reconmend to people who kinda has a connection if you have lost someone.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews