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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I sort of liked this first person account of ten year old Bud (not Buddy) Calwell. It was written in an engaging and fun style. I was able to see the "surprise" ending coming quite a ways off, but I am an English teacher. I think I will recommend this book to Molly. It will give her a way to learn a bit about what it was like in the Depression. And I think that she will be able to connect with the narratot.
Surprisingly upbeat and funny for a story about an orphaned black boy during the Great Depression. The book felt historically accurate without hitting young readers over the head with unfamiliar information constantly. It has the structure of a journey/quest book where the main character meets a variety of fun characters.
I've really enjoyed each book I've ready by Christopher Paul Curtis - he is a fabulous writer! I fell in love with his character, Bud-Not-Buddy, enjoyed learning about the time period in which this story takes place (Great Depression)... and just the story overall - fabulous.
An enjoyable tale that effectively captures the essence of its time period. Bud is a strongly drawn central character with a distinct voice, and his adventures incorporate elements of the Great Depression, orphaned youth, racism and jazz music. I liked reading in the Afterward that Curtis drew upon characteristics of his grandfathers to create the characters of Herman and Lefty as well as his encouragement of young readers to talk to older relatives and discover what they learned growing up before it is too late.
I don't typically read books meant for a younger audience, but some are an exception, and I'm glad I made one for this small but mightily told story. I will not forget Bud, a very courageous boy who made you want to try and reach through the pages and pat his head lovingly. I especially loved the plea at the end by the author to talk to your parents and grandparents to learn their stories of growing up in a different time. I'm excited to offer this gem in my little free library.
Assignment: Junior Book Log
Category: Literature Circle 3
Recommending Source: Dr. Kimmel
Genre: Historical Fiction
Review: Taking us back into the Great Depression, Christopher Paul Curtis gives us a first-person narrative of life through the journey of a ten year old black orphan out on the lam and set on finding his father. All he takes along is a suitcase with a few flyers, some rocks, a photograph of his mother, among other things. Nothing can stop him along his expedition, not hunger, fatigue, or even fear. While en route, Bud catches the attention of Lefty Lewis and with some coaxing he enters his vehicle which leads to Herman Calloway. Stubborn personalities make it difficult for the two of them to hit it off right away, but soon they make a startling connection to one another.
Through the descriptions of jazz music, towns like Hooverville, the use of telegrams, and labor union strikes, the reader is transported to life during the Great Depression. Times were hard for everyone, but blacks had an even harder time finding jobs since segregation was very prevalent during those times. Curtis uses a variety of literary devices in this story such as flashbacks, cliffhangers, foreshadowing, irony, and allusions. Many themes can be found throughout this book such as family, coping with a loss of a loved one, survival, and hope. In the afterword, Curtis describes how his family members inspired him to create these characters and how research assisted him during the writing process. Stepping into Bud’s shoes, this book will challenge students in the fifth grade and above to think about what life would be like under similar circumstances. Children will also find humor through Bud’s personal rules in addition to developing empathy as they read stories like this one in which characters deal with situations different from their own.
Category: Literature Circle 3
Recommending Source: Dr. Kimmel
Genre: Historical Fiction
Review: Taking us back into the Great Depression, Christopher Paul Curtis gives us a first-person narrative of life through the journey of a ten year old black orphan out on the lam and set on finding his father. All he takes along is a suitcase with a few flyers, some rocks, a photograph of his mother, among other things. Nothing can stop him along his expedition, not hunger, fatigue, or even fear. While en route, Bud catches the attention of Lefty Lewis and with some coaxing he enters his vehicle which leads to Herman Calloway. Stubborn personalities make it difficult for the two of them to hit it off right away, but soon they make a startling connection to one another.
Through the descriptions of jazz music, towns like Hooverville, the use of telegrams, and labor union strikes, the reader is transported to life during the Great Depression. Times were hard for everyone, but blacks had an even harder time finding jobs since segregation was very prevalent during those times. Curtis uses a variety of literary devices in this story such as flashbacks, cliffhangers, foreshadowing, irony, and allusions. Many themes can be found throughout this book such as family, coping with a loss of a loved one, survival, and hope. In the afterword, Curtis describes how his family members inspired him to create these characters and how research assisted him during the writing process. Stepping into Bud’s shoes, this book will challenge students in the fifth grade and above to think about what life would be like under similar circumstances. Children will also find humor through Bud’s personal rules in addition to developing empathy as they read stories like this one in which characters deal with situations different from their own.
My reading class enjoyed this book, I'm sorry we couldn't finish this before the session ended. It was a very believable story. I wish that there was more to it after the big reveal, I want to see Bud settled more so with Herman than the way the book ended.
Reread this with my class and it still blows me away, what an incredible story!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No