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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Racism
bud is an orphan and he's looking for his dad. There's a depression on and there's jazz
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ten-year-old Bud Caldwell flees an abusive foster home and sets off in search of Herman E. Calloway, the jazz musician who just might be his father. This was a fun, quick read. First, it is a really successful blend of comedy and drama; Bud’s family story gives the novel a substance that really grounds the humor. Second, it is populated by very vivid characters, such as Lefty, the union organizer, and Herman’s bandmates. Finally, Bud’s narration is very engaging and human. Curtis really captures the voice of a boy here; we learn as much about Bud from how he tells his story as we do from what he tells in his story. And I think most readers (especially the children in this book's target audience) will enjoy laughing at Bud’s list of “Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself" as much as I did.
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Loved it, good job not grabbing the gun at the foster family house