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

Great book!

My 7 and 9 year old loved it, as did I. We highly recommend reading it.

Such a great story!

I will definitely want to read this again even though it is probably for children. I absolutely loved it. Bud won my heart.

Classic children’s literature

I read this every year with my 5th grade students. It’s an excellent historical fiction novel. The Audio book version makes the story come alive.

A good read for boys about the depression era.

It can be hard to find a good read for boys to demonstrate historical times. This would appeal to both boys and girls, and the narration gives it a wonderful sense of realism. There are a few little snippets to the book that seem a bit repetitive, but over all my 11 year-old son liked it, and I (his homeschooler mom) enjoyed it as well.

Descriptive and exciting listening!

Bud Not Buddy was a joy to listen to. It is very descriptive and the adventures of Bud are exciting and true to life. I heartily recommend it to listeners and readers of all ages!

Wonderful Story

I simply love this novel. I laughed, cried and reminisced throughout, and fell in love with the characters all over again. You see, I would read this book to my classes each year. It was a favorite. Well done, Mr. Curtis!!

Boys will LOVE this!

My sixth grade class read/listened to this book together. Many students actually groaned about the cover initially and said that "it looked like something depressing." BUT after the narrator started reading, the students actually begged to be the first in the room to pass out books---- before the tardy bell! The students (especially my boys) were so consumed by little Bud's life after listening to the first chapter. This book is a great read for discussing characterization, author's choices and a bit of history on the depression. Everyone in the class agreed that the narrator of the recording made the story seem alive and interesting from the very beginning. It was priceless to watch a whole room turning the pages at exactly the same time. My hearing impaired learner even applauded the recording saying that it was incredibly clear and easy to understand. Beautifully done---- I highly recommend this book!!!

Read with my 4th grade class and they loved it!

My 4th grade students learned so much about history and life during the depression in this intriguing story!

Not just for kids

I purchased this book when my granddaughter (age 11) and I had to drive to a distant town that was a 6 hour round trip. As we started to drive and I started the book, she was thrilled because she said her class at school had just listened to it this year and she loved it. I really enjoyed it myself, too. The narrator did a great job and was easy to listen to.

Couldn't stop listening!

Excellent narration brings this story to life! my boys were enthralled. We had to keep driving around a parking lot so they could listen to the ending.