Bud, Not Buddy

By: Christopher Paul Curtis

Narrated by: James Avery

Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning classic about a boy who decides to hit the road 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 10-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.

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)

©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

"The cast of characters, presented with endless variations in voicing, is authentic and memorable." (AudioFile magazine)

Still one of my top 10 favorites after 14 years

This book was even better than I remembered! I had to read this in the 5th grade and I loved getting to listen to Bud's story again for the first time in 14 years. I appreciate his struggle and of the people around him more than I did back then. It's an amazing story to lose yourself in and the narrator was perfect. I felt like I was sitting in a room with Mr. Bud Caldwell listening to him recount his childhood. I couldn't stop smiling most of the time I listened.

Great story, great story-telling!

Such a great story!! I wish I had read this when I was 10 or 11. I would have so enjoyed it. The writing was amazing. So funny, entertaining, poignant. So creative. And had bits of actual Depression-era history thrown in. And the narration could not have been more perfect! A+!!!!!!!

Loved this story!

This is a great story! I was touched by Bud's steely determination and drive to find his true father. The book is well-written and will have you laughing, hoping, and crying. The way everything works out makes this a must-listen.

Great Family Audio

My family and I listned to this book on a short road trip. My boys 6 and 9 loved it as did my husband who does not normally listen to audio books. The narration is wonderful. The story telling is sharp and funny. This is a very easy book to enjoy again and again. In fact both my boys have already played it a secound time just for the fun of it. Absolutely 5 stars!

Wonderful

This was a great book to listen to with the kids, funny and touching. We have listened to this one more than once. Definately worth a credit!

Bud, Not Buddy

This is my favorite book in the world, its breathtaking, adventurious, depressing and elating all at the same time. you read this book (or listen to this book) you won't be sorry I guarantee!
Age 10

EXCELLENT

I have read this book before but in my mind I never imagined Bud's voice like this. The narrator really made me really love this book all over again!

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.

Bucket list

So I bought this book when I was 12 years old. never read it I have always told my self one day I will read it as time went by life got busier and I never did. now at 30 years old I finally got to the end of the book thanks audible

Engaging story!

Road trip - first audio book chosen by my 10 year old son, we loved it! Kept me awake and both of us engaged and ready for the next chapter. Performance was great, we really enjoyed the book!