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Summary: Bud, Not Buddy
Review: Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis, is a book to be enjoyed by the old and young alike. The story, based on events that took place during the Great Depression, is told from a child's point of view. It shows an orphaned child's journey to find where he belonged in the world. Bud lost his mother when he was only six years old and had spent the last four years in foster families and group homes before he set off to find Mr. Herman E. Calloway, whom he thought must be his daddy. Even though his momma never told him who he was, he thinks the old fliers she left behind with Mr. Calloway's picture will lead him to his father. Thus begins his journey that will take readers off for a surprise ending.
It does not take but a minute for the reader to take to Bud. His humorous ways of looking at what happens to him makes the reader laugh-out-loud. He quotes from his book, "Bud Cadwell's Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourelf," throughout the book. Rule Number 87 is that "When a Adult tells You They Need Your Help with a Problem Get Ready to Be Tricked-- Most Times This Means They Just Want You to Go Fetch Something for Them." Kids will really identify with such humor, bringing them deeper into the story.
There is a valuable lesson to be learned through this wonderfully written story. Everyone has a place to belong. There are many children that may feel the same emotions that Bud felt about losing his mother. Even those who do not can put themselves in his shoes and learn to be more accepting toward others.
Bud, Not Buddy is a well-written story with a realistic plot and a character readers can identify. It is sure to be a favorite book of many and well deserving of the Newbery award.
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Summary: Wit and personality lends this to being a wonderful read.
Review: Christopher Paul Curtis' style of writing is easy to read and quite a page turner. I enjoyed following the story of Bud as he attempts to find out about his "father", whom he believes is Calloway. The trials of a young boy growing up as an orphan during the 1930's shows a great deal of research by Mr. Curtis. I especially enjoyed how he used his own grandfather's as the basis of two of his characters, Lefty Lewis and Herman E. Calloway. He even blended his grandfathers' names into the characters names.
Bud is the voice of the story. He tells of his experiences from being an orphan going to a new foster home, to traveling to find his father, performing with Herman E. Calloway and his musicians, to finally learning about his family history. Mr. Curtis lends his own wit and humor to the voice of Bud and creates very memorable characters. The style of writing is perfect for a ten-year-old boy, who is coming of age and learning life's lessons. I enjoyed the Rule and Things sections scattered throughout the book that shows how Bud views the world.
The Afterword at the end of the book explains about the author's grandfathers and shows photos from their lives. I enjoyed this glimpse into the author's life very much. Christopher Paul Curtis is a wonderful writer, and I cannot wait to read his future books.
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Summary: O.K., Bud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: AS I write, my son, a fourth grader is completing a book report on this book. The assignment includes the creation of a diorama. As my son's most capable assistant, it has been a pleasure. He dictated a nine-point synopsis of the book to me several weeks ago after completing the book. I was very impressed with the story line, the characters and the plot in general. It has made for an exciting project. The whole family is involved. Even though I havn't read the book, I have a feel for Bud's resilience, tenacity, and determination. He is obviously a fighter. I gather that his mother imparted this strength to him before her death. Of course, we know that resilience also has an innate component. It is something that you are born with. Coupled with the right guidance, life's unexpected tragedies and trials and some very good role models, it makes fora winning combination. He must also be cunning, crafty and pleasantly manipulative and persuasive. Now if I know all of this from the verbal report of a very bright 9-year-old without having read the book, then it has to be an ace. If I were not so old, I would read it myself. Five Stars, Bud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I highly recommend this book. Its cultural relevance to African Americans is also extremely inspirational. You see, no man hinders us. You got that, Amos foster family.
You just messed with the wrong kid. Go Bud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Summary: Bud Not Buddy Review
Review: To begin, we feel that this literary piece is appropriate for 3rd grade and up whether used as a read aloud(lower) or for silent reading(upper). This story can be integrated with Language Arts(Similies, Metaphors, and other literary devices), Social Studies(Depression Era, Geography, Families, Communities), Music Appreciation(Jazz), and Math(Economics). The author of "Bud, Not Buddy" brings about a sensitivity to other cultures and family structures, and develops an appreciation for differences within society. This first person narrative, displays the importance of belonging and the endless fight to meet one's personal needs.
As the reader, one becomes engaged in Bud's adventures, stories, struggles, and victories. After Bud's mother's death, he is lead to search for his biological father; however, this search is interupted by Bud being placed in numerous foster homes. This does stop his desire to find out where he really belongs, but rather encourages it. "Bud, Not Buddy" is a wonderful book to enlighten students about real-world experiences; futhermore, it touches the heart of the reader and stimulates anticipation, compassion for others, and a love for reading.
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Summary: Bud, Not Buddy: 5 stars
Review: Bud, Not Buddy is an outstanding book for readers of all ages. Not only does Christopher Paul Curtis make the plot seem realistic, he actually makes you feel like you're in Bud's shoes! I'm glad so many people have read this book and I recommend that you tell EVERYONE you know about Bud, Not Buddy!! This book has recieved many well-deserved awards; and as for Christopher Paul Curtis, Keep the books a-comin!!
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Summary: This Newbery Medal winner works on many levels!!!
Review: "Bud, Not Buddy" deserves the Newbery Medal, because it reaches young readers on so many different levels. First of all it's an excellent piece of historical fiction, set during the Depression. There are not many outstanding books for young people set during this time of American history, when so many people were out-of-work and homeless. "Bud, Not Buddy" gives a glimpse into the life of a motherless African American boy during a lonely and difficult period of his life as he searches for his father with only a few cues. "Bud, Not Buddy" is an exciting adventure story that any boy (or girl) who's dreamed of running away from home or riding the rails can relate to. "Bud, Not Buddy" is a fine introduction into the world of black jazz musicians and the music they play during the Depression just to make a living. "Bud, Not Buddy" has enough humor in it to keep most readers chuckling, if not laughing, all the way through. "Bud, Not Buddy" contains many nuggets of wisdom, that hopefully the reader can learn from reading, rather than through the hard knocks of life.
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Summary: Bud, Not Buddy
Review: I think this book is very well written. It grabs your attention from the first page to the very last. It describes the characters very well. I recommend this book to anyone who likes action and a little mystery.
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Summary: Great adventure for anyone
Review: This book had just enough twists to keep you turning and rooting for Bud. As Bud tries to find his family while struggling through the drepression on an adventure across Michigan it is hard not to keep turning the pages.
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Summary: Inspiring, funny, heartwarming
Review: The story is also a bit of a mystery as Bud (not Buddy) searches for his father during the depression. We listened to the audio version of this and all of us (ages 9-46) loved it. The narrator, James Avery, does a wonderful job of interpreting all the people in Bud's life.
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Summary: Definetly a Newberry Winner
Review: Christopher Paul Curtis writes a great book in Bud Not Buddy. The book is about the orphan Bud Caldwell who lives in a orphanage the "Home." After he gets in trouble at one of the temporary homes he goes on the lam. This is his story of how he finds his missing father and finding a permanent home. This story is touching and funny at the same time. This is a definetly a must read for young adults.
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