Bud, Not Buddy

Bud, Not Buddy
Christopher Paul Curtis

Delacorte Press
New York
1999

This award winning novel is about an African American boy named Bud. Living during the Great Depression, Bud was orphaned and goes on an adventure to find his father. The only clue he has of where is father is, or who is father is, is from a flyer his mother left him. He travels to Grand Rapids, Michigan in hopes of finding his father. When he finds the man he thinks is his father, he discovers the truth. The man is actually his grandfather, who did not know Bud existed nor did he know that Bud's mother had died. Bud and his grandfather begin to form a relationship.
Noteworthy Features:

• Afterword: This book contains a section called "Afterword." It explains that this story is fictional but contains historical truths from the time period of the Great Depression. 
• Time Period: It takes place during the Great Depression. It gives a historically correct depiction of the time period.

This is a great book for teachers to use in the classroom. Not only is it a well written and adventure filled book. It is a great depiction of the Great Depression time period. Teachers can combine the subjects of Language Arts and Social Studies when teaching this book.

Links to Classroom Activities:

• Lesson Plan 
• Scholastic - Lesson Plans 
• StoryBoards 
• Novel Unit 
• Press Conference Activity