Set during one of the bleakest times in history, Bud, not Buddy, is about a 10-year-old African American boy living in Flint, Michigan. It’s the middle of the Great Depression, a time that was especially hard on African Americans. Bud’s all alone, searching for a father he’s never known or met. He’s on the run, using his survival instincts and a few clues left behind when his mother died.
Bud’s deeply determined to find a family.
Bud writes his own book, “Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself” to decode what grown ups are all about. Bud meets adults who recognize his strong spirit and resourcefulness, and they help him find what he’s looking for.
This was a fun and sobering way to learn about black history in the 1930’s. This book made me cry but also made me laugh out loud so often. My kids and I felt scared, sad, excited and happy alongside Bud—he had our attention the whole way through.
Helps with: Black history, racism, perseverance, grief, death of a parent, loss, homelessness, independence, injustice, finding your family, security, emotions.
Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
Publisher: Delacorte Press, 1999