Hit the road with Bud in this Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning classic about a boy on a journey to find his father—from Christopher Paul Curtis, recipient of the Coretta Scott King–Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement.
It’s 1936, in Flint Michigan. Times may be hard, and ten-year-old Bud may be a motherless boy on the run, but Bud’s got a few things going for him:
1. He has his own suitcase full of special things.
2. He’s the author of Bud Caldwell’s Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself.
3. His momma never told him who his father was, but she left a clue: flyers advertising Herman E. Calloway and his famous band, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression!!!!!!
Bud’s got an idea that those flyers will lead him to his father. Once he decides to hit the road to find this mystery man, nothing can stop him—not hunger, not fear, not vampires, not even Herman E. Calloway himself.
“[A] powerfully felt novel.” —The New York Times
Download and start listening now!
"Bud is an amazing character with such a unique style and voice. This book is great to read alone, but wonderful as a read aloud in class. It also opens up a whole new perspective on The Great Depression from the eyes of an orphan child "on the lam", desperate to find the father he never knew. This book also references popular names of the 20's like Pretty Boy Floyed and Al Capone as well as some great Jazz legends of the time. There is so much you can do with this book as a teacher and the kids LOVE Bud's tough guy act as well as his soft heart. Since we finished this book in class, the kids have been fighting to see who gets to read it next."
— JoDee (5 out of 5 stars)
NEWBERY MEDAL WINNERCORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD WINNERAN ALA BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTSAN IRA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD WINNERNAMED TO 14 STATE AWARD LISTS
The book is a gem, of value to all ages, not just the young people to whom it is aimed.
— The Christian Science Monitor"Curtis has given a fresh, new look to a traditional orphan-finds-a-home story that would be a crackerjack read-aloud.
— School Library Journal, starred reviewThe resourceful Bud is a hero readers will immediately take to heart.
— The Bulletin, RecommendedHas the wry, teasing warmth of family folklore.
— Booklist“The book is a gem, of value to all ages, not just the young people to whom it is aimed.”
— Christian Science Monitor“Bud’s journey, punctuated by Dickensian twists in plot and enlivened by a host of memorable personalities, will keep readers engrossed.”
— Publishers WeeklyAN ALA BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS AN ALA NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK AN IRA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD WINNER NAMED TO 14 STATE AWARD LISTS
The book is a gem, of value to all ages, not just the young people to whom it is aimed.
— The Christian Science MonitorWill keep readers engrossed from first page to last.
— Publishers Weekly, starred reviewCurtis writes with a razor-sharp intelligence that grabs the reader by the heart and never lets go. . . . This highly recommended title [is] at the top of the list of books to be read again and again.
— Voice of Youth Advocates, starred review" This book was really heartwarming. Also, I think it is really great for children to read books that give a real look at time periods in history. Especially kids like mine - who have probably only seen 3 black people in their lives. :) The afterword really made the book for me. I love that he characterized his grandfathers. This is a great book to spur conversation with kids about the Depression and Black history. "
— Kati, 2/20/2014" In the beginning, I found myself absolutely loving the character Bud -- "not Buddy." He is thoughtful, insightful, experienced (for a 10-yr-old), and his deadpan observations are hilarious. I enjoyed Bud's search for his father and the events that unfold on his journey, but I found myself longing for the story to unravel much more quickly than it did; then when the climax came, it was too predictable, at least for such an acclaimed book. This is nice piece of historical fiction, with an unforgettable character. It's certainly worth a go, but not worthy of the honors its received. "
— Mark, 2/17/2014" This was a cute little book, not really about anything important though. Bud is a very likeable little kid and you are rooting for him the whole time. I wish the book would have gone on a little bit more and shown the Grandpa doing something to accept Bud. Also, I would have liked to find out something about his dad. But overall it's a fun read for kids "
— Kelli, 2/9/2014" It was a okay book but I thought it could be better. "
— Emily, 2/4/2014" We read this for read-aloud in third grade. "
— Isabel, 1/21/2014" I think that the book is good at some points and cruel at other because in the beginning Bud Was getting sent to a new family and then the new familys son bullied him. "
— Nazir, 1/9/2014" recommended reading! "
— Lindy, 1/7/2014" Bittersweet story of a young African-American boy who sets out in search of his biological father with a suitcase full of clues left behind by his deceased mother. Very touching and entertaining. "
— Andres, 12/26/2013" Loved this book. The ending was wonderful, although it left you wanting more. "
— Rebecca, 12/8/2013" Christopher Paul Curtis has a gift for creating humor. Bud's fears of vampires adds humorous situations throughout the story. Please don't try what Bud did to Tod Amos at home! "
— Ms., 11/30/2013" Good chapter book for older elementary students or middle school. This is a book about a young African American boy that lived in several orphanage's and foster homes because his mother passed away. This is a great book but be careful with the audience because of the details in the book. "
— Whitney, 11/25/2013" A good story that I haven't picked up on my own. Glad we read it and will enjoy it when we read it next year. "
— Heather, 10/22/2013" it was an amazing book. "
— David, 4/12/2013" The only thing that I don't really like in BUD, NOT BUDDY is the bad grammar the characters use often. It's a bit hard to understand. But other than that, it was a good book! "
— Renae, 3/25/2013" so far what i have read of bud not buddy is great i love it .it is sad=) an happy8(. "
— Anneliese, 12/16/2012" I loved this book. The only reason it gets four stars is that I felt anxious for Bud a lot of the time. I wanted to mother him a lot. "
— Sara, 7/15/2012" Read this with my 6th grade intervention kids. There was always something new happening so it kept their attention. Really enjoyed it. "
— Karina, 4/16/2012" What a nice little surprise. Really quick read and the main character, Bud, is a hoot! "
— Vanessa, 4/7/2012" This book was amazing the way it tells the story using a little boy that is an orphan is the best part and to see his life story 1 of the best i ever read!!!!!!!!!!! who the hay mark this as 1 star!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
— Andrew, 2/2/2012" This book was great, I recommend to anybody. I read it when I was smaller and now I'm re-reading it. These characters go through a lot and are relate-able. It had some sad parts to it but it all seemed to work out in the end somehow. It had good pacing. I loved it! "
— Vanessa, 10/26/2011" I really enjoyed this book alot... "
— Amandaw62296, 10/16/2011" I loved this book. Bud has so much spirit and courage. I liked learning about the Great Depression. "
— Barbara, 6/29/2011" Bud, not Buddy might just be my favorite Historical Fiction children's book of all time. Bud is without a doubt one of the coolest characters that I have ever read. The dialogue in this book is amazing. Loved it. "
— Colby, 6/28/2011" I didn't find this book nearly as good as his other one I read. It was a good book regardless. I think they made a movie out of it :-) "
— Jami, 6/20/2011" I loved this book when I was in 4th grade and I still love it XD <br/>Books that are read in my elm. school years are funnier now and sadder when I'm in my middle school years "
— Rosella, 6/14/2011" Great book! Read it such a long time ago that I can't remember exactly the plot, but I remembered the feeling of being deeply drawn into the story. "
— dameolga, 6/10/2011" audio - next year's Battle book possibly <br/> <br/> "
— Brianna, 6/8/2011" Would give it six stars but I can't :( "
— Ethan, 6/3/2011" Dragged a bit in the middle, but the ending made it worth the read. A very accessible look at foster care, racism, and the Great Depression. "
— Christina, 6/2/2011" Darling sense of humor. Voice is terriffic "
— Christy, 5/31/2011" This was a great story. I loved Bud's wit and strength. His rules for life were also great. "
— Stacie, 5/31/2011Christopher Paul Curtis made an outstanding debut in children’s literature with The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963. His second novel, Bud, Not Buddy, is the first book ever to receive both the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Author Award.