Bud, Not Buddy

This book is suspenceful and makes me want to read more. It organzies its ideas well and gives me a brief understanding of what its about. Bud not Buddy is a very appropriate book, that everyone can enjoy.

My ten year old niece had read Bud, Not Buddy, recently, at school, and as I'm always interested to know what it is she's being taught, I decided to pick it up. At first I was discouraged by the book as it seemed to deal with a rather depressing story of a young orphan during the depression era, who was acting out revenge upon a foster family that had mistreated him. While making a mental note to explain to her the errors of vengeful retribution, I continued on and was soon pleasantly surprised by the novel's turn.

Christopher Paul Curtis has created a beautiful piece of historical fiction that teaches a young reader about some of the issues that were plaguing the American population of the 30's, as well as telling a heartwarming story about a young boys will and determination to find his estranged father. Along the way Curtis is able to share with us the trials and tribulations of racism, homelessness and labour-union disputes, whilst keeping the tone of the book light, with a witty dialogue that often had me chuckling. Not to say that it was all roses, because there is really no way to sugar coat families forced to live in Hooverville tenements at the side of the railroad tracks, especially in a day and age when tent cities are erecting all over North America due to the recent recession and mortgage crisis. The fact of the matter is these struggles were happening in the 30's just as they are happening now. It is important that we can share these realities with our children in such a way that they become interested, and through compassion, help to make changes in our world so that these mistakes won't happen again in the future.

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This is a wonderful story about the adventure of Bud, not Buddy Caldwell. His journey takes him from an orphanage in Flint, MI, to a foster home, to Hooverville, to the road to Grand Rapids, back to Flint, and finally ending up at Grand Calloway Station in Grand Rapids. On this journey Bud has only a suitcase full of special things. He is guided by Bud Caldwell's rules and things for having a funner life and making a better liar out of yourself. All thou times are difficult and some people are not the kind, Bud meets many people on his journey who help along.

On of my favourite scenes is when Bud goes to library searching for Miss Hill, trust librarian from better times. The description of the library is wonderful. The smell of the leather-covered books, new cloth-covered books and the paper of the pages seems to waft right off of the text. If only modern 21st century library were like that.

This a good book where the feeling and language of the 1930s are woven into a journey of discovery for a 10 year boy. I highly recommend this title.

My name is Jordan and I'm 11 years old.
I think Bud,not buddy is the best book I have ever read. I simply feel like I am in the story.It's about a little boy who's mom died when he was six.And he goes through many obsticles. I would recomend this book to anyone who loves books and has a great imagination.