1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Curtis, Christopher Paul. 1999. Bud, Not Buddy. New York. Delacorte Press. ISBN 0-285-32306-9.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Bud,Not Buddy is the story of a young, African-American, motherless boy on the run. He is in search of the father his mother never told him about. Although he has no information about his father, he sets out an adventure with his suitcase, a set of rules and one clue about his father, a flyer of Herman E. Calloway and his famous band. In the end, Bud finds more than he was looking for.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Christopher Paul Curtis does an excellent job of vividly describing the adventures of a ten year old, African-American boy told in his own words. He takes you on an emotional roller coaster from sadness and disappointments to laughter, relief and closure. Curtis awesomely and accurately depicts the grim conditions of the Depression in Flint, Michigan. The reader is instantly engrossed with Bud's, the main character, determination to find his father despite obstacles with only a flyer as his lead. We are able to understand and connect with Bud through his "Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself." Bud's rules illuminates the unfortunate realism of his life. I don't know many ten year olds that could wake up and create this rule: "When you wake up and don't know for sure where you're at and there's a bunch of people standing around you, it's best to pretend you're still asleep until you can figure out what's going on and what you should do." With this rule alone Curtis allows the reader to see just how much Bud had to endure on his adventure to find someone that cared. I think it was at this moment I truly began to sympathize with Bud. While most ten year olds wake up in their warm beds surrounded by loved one, Bud had to immediately think of away to adjust to his current condition and act as an adult. Curtis does an extraordinary job of making the reader feel as if we were apart of that time. The characters came to life. Although there were no illustrations, I was able to envision the characters and hear the melodic sounds of the band, and understand the suffering during that time. The spirit of the times definitely came to life. Curtis' writing style is to be commended! This book doesn't just reveal history, but it unveils the strength and determination of a young boy. This book is a must read for readers of all ages.
4.REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
"While the grim conditions of the times and the harshness of Bud's circumstances are authentically depicted, Curtis shines on them an aura of hope and optimism." "And even when he sets up a daunting scenario, he makes readers laugh---"
---Publisher's Weekly
"Grade 4-7-Motherless Bud shares his amusingly astute rules of life as he hits the road to find the musician he believes is his father. A medley of characters brings Depression-era Michigan to life."
-----Library Journal
5.CONNECTION
Recommended Book(s):
The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963
Classroom:
This book would be a great read aloud to students in grades 4-6. It can be used to introduce the Depression. After reading this books students could have discussion and also further research information about the Depression .
It is also a great book to illuminate the power of determination. It is a great discussion starter.
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