Bud, Not Buddy

Curtis, Christopher Paul. Bud, Not Buddy. New York: Delacorte Press, 1999. 245p.
ISBN 0-385-32306-9      
African-American -- Newberry Medal Winner, Coretta Scott King Award Winner
   
    Bud, Not Buddy is an award-winning novel written by African-American author Christopher Paul Curtis.  Curits, who is also well know for his novel The Watson’s Go To Birmingham -- 1963, tells the story of Bud (not Buddy) Caldwell and his adventures as an African-American orphan during the Great Depression.  After his mother dies, Bud is placed in shelters and foster homes until he finally takes it upon himself to leave Flint, Michigan and find the man who he believes to be his father.  Bud’s bravery and witty sense of humor help him to overcome great obstacles but also ensure that the experience is entertaining for the reader.  Through his adventure, Bud gains a better understanding of his past as well as his racial and social identity. 
    Because of Bud’s young age, this novel would probably be best fit for sixth or seventh grade students.  The short chapters, exciting plot points and witty remarks make this novel teachable as well as fun and engaging.  As a result of its adolescent narrator, the novel is highly readable for this level and progresses steadily so that students can’t help but wonder what will happen next.  Although an extreme case, Bud’s struggle to find love and comfort is an experience that many adolescents can relate to.  The novel also lends itself to the development of students’ prediction skills because of its suspense as well as some historical study because of its setting.  Overall, Bud, Not Buddy is a perfect novel from the teacher’s standpoint as well as the adolescent student’s.