Bud, Not Buddy

By: Christopher Paul Curtis

Narrated by: James Avery

Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

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, author of The Watsons Go To Birmingham—1963, a Newbery and Coretta Scott King Honoree.

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

©1999 Christopher Paul Curtis (P)2000 Random House, Inc.; 1999 Ernie Norcia; 16 9

Critic reviews

Newbery Medal Winner, 2000

Audie Award Nominee, Children's Titles for Ages 8+, 2001

AN 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 Monitor

“Will keep readers engrossed from first page to last.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Curtis 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

Bud not Buddy

We listened to this just after Holes and The Giver, which are also good. At first I didn't think it was as good as those. It doesn't have a complex plot and the writing is rather plain. The truth about Bud's background isn't hard to figure out either. So much for my adult ears because my kids really liked it. So after giving it another listen, I changed my mind about it. Any child who listens is going to be comforted by the happy ending and the straight forward story telling. Through the eyes of a child, a great story.

Bud

Not the most interesting in the world but the book is not that bad could be better

Best book ever

Read this book to everyone. It's so important and sweet and funny. You'll laugh you'll cry you'll wanna be Bud's friend.

Bud from Michigan

The story has historical Michigan as it's backdrop. inner city kids will like this story.

Good book

I like this book. It’s really fun to listen to and it teaches a good moral.

Loved it

I loved every aspect of this audible book. My son picked it to read for a class assignment. I lied to discuss books w/him but because of busy schedule I choose to listen while he read the book. The story telling really brought all g the he characters to life. It gave me insight on what a child may go through while living in foster care & a historical prospective for black families (times during Great Depression, red caps & Pullman porters to name a few) that most of our kids don’t get to learn about in school or even in our modern times. Funny I was able to reflect on some of the actions & ways things were done & handle back in the day & how we had to say “Sir & Yes mamma”.
Etc. my son is still reading & enjoys it it so far as well. I just finished it faster because once I started listening to it I couldn’t stop. This could make a good family movie on TV. Very emotional. Laughed cried & at times very suspenseful. Loved it !!!!! & that deserves the 5 exclamations. ;).

Family favorite

This is a road trip treat. Can listen to this again and again and again.

Excellent Adventure!

Bud, Not Buddy has been one one of my favorite novels ever since I first read it. James Avery’s narration brought it to life! My adult children and my granddaughter loved it, too. Now I hope someone will put it on the big screen.

Bud not buddy

Audible is the best thing invented thank you and the people who made Audible.
Audible is the best.

Enjoyable for all ages.

Very good. Though this is geared toward younger readers, I listened to it with my parents who are in their late 60s and I'm in my 30s and we enjoyed it. Great visual language and the actor reading it brought all the characters to life. We're from Michigan and loved learning some local history too.