Summary
Bud, Not Buddy is a 1999 landmark work of children's literature by Christopher Paul Curtis. Set in Depression-era Michigan, the story follows 10-year-old Bud Caldwell on his journey to find his father. Curtis masterfully blends humor, historical context, and themes of resilience, showcasing the African American experience during a challenging period in US history. The book itself made history as the first to win both the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award. In 2017, Bud, Not Buddy was adapted into a unique jazz concert-theater production at the Kennedy Center, featuring music composed by Terence Blanchard.
Plot
Set in 1936 Flint, Michigan, Bud, Not Buddy follows the journey of 10-year-old Bud Caldwell, an orphan determined to find his father. He is armed with a suitcase of precious belongings, including flyers for a jazz band, whose leader might be his father. After a difficult experience with a foster family, Bud decides to run away and search for the famed Herman E. Calloway.
Bud's adventure takes him across Michigan, from Flint to Grand Rapids. Along the way, he encounters various characters who help or hinder his progress. He briefly joins a group headed west by train but misses his chance to board. Later, he meets Lefty Lewis, who gives him a ride to Grand Rapids. Throughout his journey, Bud relies on his wit and a set of rules he's created for navigating life.
Upon reaching Grand Rapids, Bud finds Herman E. Calloway and his band, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression. However, his reception is not what he expected. The elderly Calloway is hostile towards Bud, who soon discovers that Calloway is actually his grandfather. The story concludes with Bud finding a home with Calloway and the band, finally ending his search for family and belonging.
Themes
Journey of self-discovery and identity
Importance of family and belonging
Resilience in the face of adversity
Power of music and its cultural significance
Impact of the Great Depression on society
Racial discrimination and segregation
Coming of age and personal growth
Setting
Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, Bud, Not Buddy unfolds in 1936 Michigan. This era was characterized by widespread economic hardship, racial segregation, and the cultural influence of jazz music. Curtis vividly portrays the challenges faced by many Americans during this tumultuous period, particularly those in African American communities.
The story primarily takes place in two Michigan cities, Flint and Grand Rapids. Flint, where Bud's journey begins, is depicted as a struggling industrial town, complete with a “Hooverville”—a makeshift camp for the homeless. As Bud travels westward to Grand Rapids, readers are given a glimpse of rural Michigan, including the dangerous “Sundown towns” where African Americans were not welcome after dark.
Characters
Bud Caldwell: The 10-year-old protagonist and narrator, an orphan searching for his father in Depression-era Michigan.
Herman E. Calloway: The bandleader Bud believes to be his father, who turns out to be his grandfather.
Miss Thomas: The kind singer in Herman's band who becomes a maternal figure to Bud.
Lefty Lewis: A kindhearted man who gives Bud a ride to Grand Rapids and temporary shelter.
Bugs: Bud's friend from the orphanage who tries to hop a train west with him.
Mrs. Amos: Bud's cruel foster mother, who forces him to sleep in a shed.
Todd Amos: Mrs. Amos's son who bullies Bud, leading to their fight.
Steady Eddie: A friendly member of Herman's band who teaches Bud about music.
Mr. Jimmy: Another kind member of Herman's band who looks out for Bud.
Angela Janet: Bud's deceased mother, revealed to be Herman's estranged daughter.
Quick facts
Bud, Not Buddy was the first book to win both the Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award.
The character of Herman E. Calloway was inspired by the author's grandfather.
The novel is set in Flint and Grand Rapids, Michigan, during the Great Depression.
Bud carries a suitcase containing his prized possessions, including rocks and flyers.
The book features Bud's humorous “Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life."
Curtis wrote the first draft of the novel in longhand on legal pads and completed the manuscript in just over seven months.
Bud, Not Buddy touches on topics like racism, poverty, and the plight of orphans in the 1930s.
Jazz music plays an important role in the novel and Bud's journey.
Bud, Not Buddy has been adapted into a stage play and a jazz concert/theater hybrid.
About the Author
Christopher Paul Curtis is an acclaimed American children's book author, born in 1953 in Flint, Michigan. After working for 13 years on an assembly line at General Motors, Curtis found his calling as a writer. His debut novel, The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963, published in 1995, catapulted him to literary stardom, earning numerous awards including the Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor.
Curtis's second novel, Bud, Not Buddy, cemented his status as a preeminent voice in children's literature. Published in 1999, it made history by winning both the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award—the first book to achieve this feat. He went on to write a total of eight novels for young readers, including Elijah of Buxton and The Mighty Miss Malone. His works often explore historical events and settings, encouraging young readers to engage with the past while connecting it to their present. In addition, Curtis draws inspiration from his family history and experiences growing up in Flint, infusing his stories with authentic portrayals of African American life and tackling serious themes with humor and sensitivity.
Curtis frequently visits schools and communities, sharing his experiences and inspiring the next generation of readers and writers. Through his Nobody but Curtis Foundation, the author works to improve literacy levels among children in North America and Africa.
