A Book Talk for Bud, Not Buddy

Curtis, C.P. (1999). Bud, Not Buddy. New York: Delacorte Press.

“As soon as I got into the library I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I got a whiff of the leather on all the old books, a smell that got real strong if you picked one of them up and stuck your nose real close to it when you turned the pages. Then there was the smell of the cloth that covered the brand-new books, books that made a splitting sound when you opened them. Then I could sniff the paper, that soft, powdery, drowsy smell that comes off the page in little puffs when you're reading something or looking at some pictures, kind of hypnotizing smell.” (Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Curtis) Bud, not Buddy written by Christopher Curtis is a book that I would highly recommended because of the inspiring main character. This story is about a young boy named Bud whom is an orphan living in Flint, Michigan during the great depression.

“A bud is a flower-to-be. A flower in waiting. Waiting for just the right warmth and care to open up. It's a little fist of love waiting to unfold and be seen by the world. And that's you.” (Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Curtis.) Bud, the main character in the story is an orphan who is looking for his birth father. Bud is a very determined young boy who doesn’t give up. All Bud wants is a home and a real family which is what most people have but often take for granted. Throughout the story Bud has many adventures and takes the lessons he learns from them. Mr. Calloway is a band leader and Bud’s grandfather. Mr. Calloway at first found it difficult to accept Bud but in the end begins to welcome him into the family.

This book would be a wonderful read aloud for intermediate children. There are many life lessons weaved throughout the story that would be good for students to hear. Bud has many setbacks in the story but he stays determined to find his father. Many people step in to help Bud on his journey. I highly recommend this book to all readers.