Bud, Not Buddy

Bud, Not Buddy

Author: Christopher Paul Curtis

Genre: Historical Fiction

Major Awards: Coretta Scott King Award, Newbery Medal

Grade Level: 3-8

Summary: This book takes place in Michigan during the Great Depression. It is about a child named Bud Caldwell who decides to run away after being in many foster homes. His mother had passed away and now all Bud wants to do is find his dad using clues that his mom left behind. The boy from the same foster home as Bud, Bugs, decides to go with Bud. Their first stop is Hooverville, the place where they hope to get on the train to get to California so they can find work. Unfortunately Bud misses his train and is forced to go back to Flint (the town of his last foster home). With the help of others (the librarian in Flint and Lefty Lewis, who he meets while he is trying to hike to Grand Rapids), he finally reaches his dad and his jazz band. After all his searching, Bud discovers that his dad doesn't want him. He does, however, find out that his grandfather, Mr. Calloway (his mother's father) is the leader of the band. Bud ends up living with the Calloways and the book ends with him learning how to play the saxophone from his grandfather. Despite all the troubles he faced along the way and some unexpected turning points, Bud got a hopeful and happy ending.

Evaluation: If I am being honest, this was not my favorite book. It is not that it wasn't well written or anything, I am just picky when it comes to historical fiction. I do, however, want to have this available in my classroom. Just because it is not my favorite does not mean it won't peak the interest of a student.

After reading this myself and looking at the grade level recommendations online, I think this book can be enjoyed by readers as young as eight-nine (third grade), but it is really more appropriate for fourth and up due to the themes in the book. 

This would be a novel that could be paired with a social studies lesson about the Great Depression period or just one to have for my students to enjoy. I never want to force literature into a lesson if it takes away from the enjoyment of reading.