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

A fun read

This was a fun book, much better than I expected. I actually laughed and cried out loud, which I rarely do with audiobooks.

The mystery part was not hard to solve, but then it IS supposed to a a children's book.

It gave me a feel for a part of history that I hadn't thought much about. I especially liked the author's comments at the end.

Riveting!

Amazing story with colorful details. had me clinging to every word right to the end!

Excellent writing and marvelous reading

This is a lovely story that can help people young and grownup understand the Depression and perspective-take for other folks’ lives. Brilliant reading on this recording!

Fabulous story and performance

If you could sum up Bud, Not Buddy in three words, what would they be?

entertaining, heartfelt and surprising

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bud, Not Buddy?

I loved the twist at the end! superb!

Which character – as performed by James Avery – was your favorite?

Bud not Buddy :)

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I loved this book. As a 5th grade teacher I really think this book will appeal to my students because it seems as if a 10 year old is truly telling the story. It is really for a YA audience but adults may enjoy it too.

Any additional comments?

you have to check this out!

My classes love this book.

I have shared this book with middle schoolers, 4th graders and just finished sharing it with a class of children with autism.
The late great James Avery really captivates the listeners and is truly one of the best book narrators ever.

great book

we listened to it as a family an's everyone from 11-42 loved it. great family time

a must listen

If you could sum up Bud, Not Buddy in three words, what would they be?

listen to this with our 12 and 14 year old sons and we loved it.
great, colorful characters making the best in a difficult time.
The dialogue and narration are perfect.

What other book might you compare Bud, Not Buddy to and why?

it was written in 1999 but feels like a classic.
Rascal, by Sterling North, is set 20 years earlier but is also a story of a boy one summer.

Have you listened to any of James Avery’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

both. some tears and LOTs of laughs at Bud's no nonsense narration about the fact of life.

Amazing narrator!

I purchased Bud, Not Buddy as part of the reading curriculum I'm teaching this year. I wanted my struggling readers to be able to listen and follow along with the book. I'm so glad I did! The narration is some of the best I've heard (and I have a huge Audible library!). He truly brought the story to life and my students absolutely loved the narration and the story.

5 Star Story teller

Curtis blend of historical events and settings from a child's point of view is masterful. Great listen for both children and adults. Funny dialogue. Uncle Phil (fresh prince of bel air) aka James Avery brought each character quickly to life. after The Watsons, and now this, i need more CPC!

You will fall in love with this character

If you could sum up Bud, Not Buddy in three words, what would they be?

Resilient, Brave, and funny

What did you like best about this story?

The best part of the book though is the character Bud. You can't help but love this smart, funny, boy who has lost so much but stands up again every time life knocks him down again.
The author manages to give you a snap shot of the Great Depression during it's worst years- Hoovervilles, bread lines, homelessness, hunger, unemployment. The characters face survive this and never loose their dignity or hope. It is their love for their children and families that keep them going.
The story should be depressing. But instead it's one of the funniest books I've ever read. .ie. Bud has a list of rules he follows called, "Bud Caldwell's list for having a funner life and making a better liar of yourself." ie. Bud tries to take off in a car when he mistakenly believes the man who has stopped to help him is a vampire. (He is transporting blood in bottles). You will laugh all the way through this book.

What does James Avery bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator is perfect for this story. He brings each character to life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to this book in one sitting and then listened again the next day.

Any additional comments?

I taught middle school English. This book is between a 4th and 5th grade level. It would be appropriate for 6th graders as the first book covered in the school year or could be used for students below grade level at higher grades.