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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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:
Yes
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
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
Bud is a great character; smart, resourceful, and effortlessly funny. I really enjoyed reading this heart warming book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Racism
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Bud, Not Buddy" is a heartwarming middle grade novel about a 10yo orphan searching for a place to belong in Depression-era Michigan. I listened to the audiobook narrated by James Avery, and it was absolutely fantastic. His rich, expressive voice really brought the story to life, and there were also jazzy musical interludes that work perfectly with the plot.
This book definitely has a hopeful and heartening take on humanity. Outside of one cruel foster family, Bud only meets kind, caring people who go out of their way to help and share with him while he is on his journey to find family. From a thoughtful librarian who gives him her lunch to a Hooverville community that welcomes him to their communal dinner pot, Bud is rarely without a friend or a meal when he needs one. It might be unrealistic, but it made me happy to imagine, and it is probably the right choice for a book for young readers.
The ending surprised me. I was expecting more resolution and reconciliation than was provided. It is not exactly open-ended, but I was thinking there would be one last scene that brought two key characters together in conversation, and there wasn't. And I kinda loved it. The future reconciliation is hinted at, and that was enough for me. I am curious what kids would think.
I can definitely understand why this book won the Newberry Medal.
This book definitely has a hopeful and heartening take on humanity. Outside of one cruel foster family, Bud only meets kind, caring people who go out of their way to help and share with him while he is on his journey to find family. From a thoughtful librarian who gives him her lunch to a Hooverville community that welcomes him to their communal dinner pot, Bud is rarely without a friend or a meal when he needs one. It might be unrealistic, but it made me happy to imagine, and it is probably the right choice for a book for young readers.
The ending surprised me. I was expecting more resolution and reconciliation than was provided. It is not exactly open-ended, but I was thinking there would be one last scene that brought two key characters together in conversation, and there wasn't. And I kinda loved it. The future reconciliation is hinted at, and that was enough for me. I am curious what kids would think.
I can definitely understand why this book won the Newberry Medal.
Bud's mother had died and he's through with the awful families that the orphanage keeps sending him to--Depression or no depression, he's going in search of his dad, armed with one prescious suitcase, a flier his mother saved, and a list of rules for life.
The Watsons Go To Birmingham is one of my favorites to recommend, but I hadn't yet read Bud, Not Buddy. One thing I love about Curtis' writing is that he weaves historical knowledge into a really good story, so that a place and time in history gets cemented in your mind without really feeling like you're learning.
I also love how much humor there is throughout his books, even if, overall, the book is about a serious topic. Kids love to laugh, and so do I, and the characters in this story were pretty funny. I especially loved the bed wetting revenge in Bud, Not Buddy. This book doesn't sugarcoat things, but it does present the hard truth through a child's eyes, where nothing is bleak and dismal, or at least not for very long. There are also things that go over Bud's head, but as adult readers, don't go over ours (Calloway's womanizing, political and societal things happening during the Great Depression). Curtis doesn't feel the need to beat us over the head with every detail of reality.
Also, what an eye for description! The mustard floating like smoke in the bottle of pop is something only a child or a writer would sit and examine in detail.
The Watsons Go To Birmingham is one of my favorites to recommend, but I hadn't yet read Bud, Not Buddy. One thing I love about Curtis' writing is that he weaves historical knowledge into a really good story, so that a place and time in history gets cemented in your mind without really feeling like you're learning.
I also love how much humor there is throughout his books, even if, overall, the book is about a serious topic. Kids love to laugh, and so do I, and the characters in this story were pretty funny. I especially loved the bed wetting revenge in Bud, Not Buddy. This book doesn't sugarcoat things, but it does present the hard truth through a child's eyes, where nothing is bleak and dismal, or at least not for very long. There are also things that go over Bud's head, but as adult readers, don't go over ours (Calloway's womanizing, political and societal things happening during the Great Depression). Curtis doesn't feel the need to beat us over the head with every detail of reality.
Also, what an eye for description! The mustard floating like smoke in the bottle of pop is something only a child or a writer would sit and examine in detail.
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes