Bud, Not Buddy - Multicultural

Bud, Not Buddy

Author: Christopher Paul Curtis

Genre: Historical Fiction, Multicultural

Publisher: Delacorte Books

Copyright Date: 1999

Number of Pages: 245

Awards: Newbery Medal Recipient, Coretta Scott King Author Award, William Allen White Children's Book Award

Grade Level: 6-8

Summary:

Ten-year-old Bud has lived at an orphanage he calls 'The Home' since his mother died suddenly four years earlier. Bud never met his father and his mother never mentioned him but he found some flyers in her room of Herman E. Calloway and the Dusky Devastors of the Depression. When he is sent to spend the summer with a foster family he quickly learns there are worst places than the orphanage. After being beaten and locked into a shed, Bud breaks out and goes on the run. He has no one else until his friend from the orphanage, Bugs, meets up with him. Together they head to a nearby Hooverville and plan to travel west by train hopping. When Bud misses the train and gets separated from Bugs he decides to track down Herman E. Calloway, whom he is convinced is his father. The problem is Bud is in Flint, Michigan and Herman E. Calloway is over 100 miles away in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Use in Teaching:
Bud, Not Buddy would be a great book for working with students on discovering the importance of the theme of a novel. Begin by having students brainstorm ideas for a party theme as if they were party planners. Have students share their party theme and details. Talk about other themes that are commonly found around them (in music, art, movies, etc). Explain that in text there is also themes, which is the main idea or message the author wants them to get from the reading. Relate this to the party theme they already discussed with the supporting ideas being the party details that supports their overall theme. Once students have grasped the concept of theme, you can move on to discussing the overall theme in Bud, Not Buddy. Ask students to use details from the text (character thoughts/actions, setting/plot, etc) to support their theme.

	3 Bookmarks	2 Bookmarks	1 Bookmark	0 Bookmarks	Comments
Plot	These books consist of a well-developed plot which includes all five elements of a good plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).	These books have a defined plot that might be lacking one of the five elements of plot structure.	The books have a weak plot that is difficult to follow and/or is missing two of the five elements of plot structure.	The books do not have a defined plot structure which leaves the reader trying to guess the purpose of the story.	3 Bookmarks: Bud, Not Buddy has an excellent plot that includes all five elements. The plot really pulls the reader in, right from the first page.
Character Development	These books have well rounded, believable characters with sufficient depth and personality.	Characters in these books are fairly well rounded but might be lacking in depth or personality, or believability.	Characters in these books are underdeveloped and lacking detail needed to have depth and believability.	Characters are evident but not developed.	3 Bookmarks: The author has done a great job developing each of the characters in Bud, Not Buddy. Even Bud’s Mom whom is only in the book as a memory.
Pacing	The story moves and flows freely and does not feel rushed or too slow.	The story mostly moves and flows freely with occasional instances of being to slow or too fast.	The story often feels like it is moving too fast or too slow.	The pacing is entirely off causing the story to feel disjointed or illogical.	3 Bookmarks: The pacing is spot on and the book moves effortlessly from one problem in the Bud’s life to the next and keeps the reader moving right along.
Overall	These are excellent books and are highly recommended.	These are good books are recommended.	These books are okay and would only be recommended with reservations.	These books are considered poor choices and are not recommended.	3 Bookmarks: Bud, Not Buddy is a great multicultural/historical fiction book that shows the daily lives of African Americans during the Great Depression.