Module 3: Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, and Pura Belpre Winners
September 14-20
Bud, Not Buddy
By: Christopher Paul Curtis
Grade 6 and Up
September 14-20
Bud, Not Buddy
By: Christopher Paul Curtis
Grade 6 and Up
Summary:
Bud Caldwell is a 10 year old boy on a quest to find his father. For four years, he has tried to obey the rules of society which says he needs to stay in a foster home, but he can no longer endure the ridicule and torment of his adoptive families. His mother has been dead for four years, and so he only has a hunch that the man in his flyer is his father. Herman E. Calloway is a famous jazz musician who plays the upright bass and lives in Grand Rapids. Bud runs way from his latest tormentor, Todd, and sets out to find Herman E. Calloway, the man he believes is his father. Along the way he meets up with nice people such as the local librarian, the residents of the Hooverville town just outside of Flint, Michigan, Lefty Lewis the railroad porter, and the beautiful and talented Ms. Thomas, who all help him out, give him food and shelter along the way. One of the most beautiful literary metaphors in this book is the image that an idea often begins as a small seed, is planted, nurtured, and grows into a large maple tree.
My Impressions:
I was blown away by this book. It is so entertaining, exciting, and fun. I loved the way that the author wrote. Curtis' writing style is so comfortable and familiar. I frequently laughed out loud as I read each chapter. I love how Bud is so strong and independent. He had no problem sleeping in trees and keeping a knife under his leg for protection. Yet at the same time he had this overactive imagination and would always scare himself. I love the scene where he reads the box in Lefty Lewis' car that says, "human blood." His imagination leads him to believe that Lefty is an actual vampire. Although he is afraid, he locks the car, puts it into gear, and attempts to drive off and leave the evil vampire Lefty behind in the dark. Even though he is truly scared, he has so much courage, and is able to take action and try to save himself. These characteristics make him the perfect hero. This book is thoroughly entertaining, and full of emotion; laughter, sadness, joy, helplessness, faith, and courage, just to name a few.
Reviews:
"The book provides some valuable lessons about growing up, relationships with others and dealing with adversity. It is an excellent acquisition for any school or public library and a worthy example of quality writing for any creative writing program. Thematic links include: Family; Personal Struggles; Quest; Orphans; Homeless; Survival; Helpers; Friendship; History--Depression; Creative Writing. Resource Links Rating: E (Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!), Grade 6 up. Ages 11 up." -Gail Lennon, Resource Links, December 1999 (Vol. 5, No. 2)
Lesson Plans:
This book provides librarians and educators with many options to incorporate within any school curriculum. The first and most obvious choice of lesson plans would be to use this book for Black History Month activities and lessons. This book would also be a fantastic read aloud book for students in younger grades during story times, etc. Another great way to utilize this book in the classroom would be to expose students to the world of jazz music. Even though jazz music will not be apart of the standard school curriculum, using jazz as a teaching tool or activity extension will allow students to use their imagination and creativity to design related projects, or write papers and essays. Using jazz music as an extension activity will foster a greater love of literature in the students and cause them to remember the lessons and morals of the story. This story can also be linked with history and the Great Depression Era. Assignments and projects could be developed jointly between the Social Studies and English departments featuring the descriptions and issues mentioned in this book. Finally, at the end of the audio book, the author briefly discusses the book. Christopher Paul Curtis concludes by expressing his regrets that he didn't take the time to talk with his grandparents about their experiences growing up in during the Depression. This book could be used to develop genealogy based projects for the classroom. Students could interview relatives or neighbors to discover something exciting and interesting about the past.
Curtis, Christopher Paul. Bud, Not Buddy. New York: Random House, 1999.
Lennon, Gail. "Children's Literature Reviews: Bud, Not Buddy". Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. September 11, 2009.
Bud Caldwell is a 10 year old boy on a quest to find his father. For four years, he has tried to obey the rules of society which says he needs to stay in a foster home, but he can no longer endure the ridicule and torment of his adoptive families. His mother has been dead for four years, and so he only has a hunch that the man in his flyer is his father. Herman E. Calloway is a famous jazz musician who plays the upright bass and lives in Grand Rapids. Bud runs way from his latest tormentor, Todd, and sets out to find Herman E. Calloway, the man he believes is his father. Along the way he meets up with nice people such as the local librarian, the residents of the Hooverville town just outside of Flint, Michigan, Lefty Lewis the railroad porter, and the beautiful and talented Ms. Thomas, who all help him out, give him food and shelter along the way. One of the most beautiful literary metaphors in this book is the image that an idea often begins as a small seed, is planted, nurtured, and grows into a large maple tree.
My Impressions:
I was blown away by this book. It is so entertaining, exciting, and fun. I loved the way that the author wrote. Curtis' writing style is so comfortable and familiar. I frequently laughed out loud as I read each chapter. I love how Bud is so strong and independent. He had no problem sleeping in trees and keeping a knife under his leg for protection. Yet at the same time he had this overactive imagination and would always scare himself. I love the scene where he reads the box in Lefty Lewis' car that says, "human blood." His imagination leads him to believe that Lefty is an actual vampire. Although he is afraid, he locks the car, puts it into gear, and attempts to drive off and leave the evil vampire Lefty behind in the dark. Even though he is truly scared, he has so much courage, and is able to take action and try to save himself. These characteristics make him the perfect hero. This book is thoroughly entertaining, and full of emotion; laughter, sadness, joy, helplessness, faith, and courage, just to name a few.
Reviews:
"The book provides some valuable lessons about growing up, relationships with others and dealing with adversity. It is an excellent acquisition for any school or public library and a worthy example of quality writing for any creative writing program. Thematic links include: Family; Personal Struggles; Quest; Orphans; Homeless; Survival; Helpers; Friendship; History--Depression; Creative Writing. Resource Links Rating: E (Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!), Grade 6 up. Ages 11 up." -Gail Lennon, Resource Links, December 1999 (Vol. 5, No. 2)
Lesson Plans:
This book provides librarians and educators with many options to incorporate within any school curriculum. The first and most obvious choice of lesson plans would be to use this book for Black History Month activities and lessons. This book would also be a fantastic read aloud book for students in younger grades during story times, etc. Another great way to utilize this book in the classroom would be to expose students to the world of jazz music. Even though jazz music will not be apart of the standard school curriculum, using jazz as a teaching tool or activity extension will allow students to use their imagination and creativity to design related projects, or write papers and essays. Using jazz music as an extension activity will foster a greater love of literature in the students and cause them to remember the lessons and morals of the story. This story can also be linked with history and the Great Depression Era. Assignments and projects could be developed jointly between the Social Studies and English departments featuring the descriptions and issues mentioned in this book. Finally, at the end of the audio book, the author briefly discusses the book. Christopher Paul Curtis concludes by expressing his regrets that he didn't take the time to talk with his grandparents about their experiences growing up in during the Depression. This book could be used to develop genealogy based projects for the classroom. Students could interview relatives or neighbors to discover something exciting and interesting about the past.
Curtis, Christopher Paul. Bud, Not Buddy. New York: Random House, 1999.
Lennon, Gail. "Children's Literature Reviews: Bud, Not Buddy". Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. September 11, 2009
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