Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Reviewed by BridgetRatings
Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content
LANGUAGE
VIOLENCE
SEXUAL CONTENT
ADULT THEMES
2000 Newbery Medal Winner
Ratings Explanation
Violence: Bud is beaten by his foster brother, Todd Amos. He is threatened with a beating by razor strap from his foster mother, Mrs. Amos. He is forced to apologize for antagonizing Todd Amos. He is emotionally abused with threats of beatings. Mr. Amos locks Bud in a shed for the night where there is a stain on the ground from the last foster child. Bud alludes to previous beatings from his foster families. He fantasizes about retaliation towards the Amos family with a shotgun he saw near the stove on his way outside.
Sexual Content: Deza Malone holds Bud’s hand and kisses him.
Adult Content: Bud is subjected to physical and emotional abuse while spending time in foster homes and the orphanage. Bud is picked up at 2:30 a.m. by a stranger, Lefty Lewis. Lefty gives Bud a ride to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Lefty lets Bud know that he ought not be a young brown-skinned boy in Owosso. A sign outside Owosso reads, “To Our Negro Friends Who are Passing Through, Kindly Don’t Let the Sun Set on Your Rear End in Owosso!”
Summary
Bud Caldwell is ten years old. His mother dies when he is six years old and his life is forever changed. Bud misses his mother and he has never met his father. He leads the life of an orphaned boy in the 1930’s in Flint, Michigan. He encounters cruel foster families and has an extremely cruel foster brother, Todd Amos. He beats Bud. Todd blames the encounter on Bud, and claims self- defense. Bud, while still bloody, is then forced to apologize to the Amos Family. Mr. Amos locks Bud in the shed for the night. Bud escapes after he is stung repeatedly by wasps. Bud imagines taking a double barreled shotgun to the Amos Family. He retrieves his suitcase and begins his journey to find his father. He has a few “Herman Calloway” band flyers and a few rocks his mother gave him. He carries these prized possessions everywhere. He believes Herman Calloway to be his father.
Bud and his friend, Bugs, spend the night in a “Hooverville” near the railroad tracks and try to ride the rails out of Flint. Bugs successfully leaps on the train, leaving Bud behind. Bud decides to walk to Grand Rapids, Michigan to find his father. A man, Lefty Lewis offers him a ride. Bud takes the ride and is delivered to the front door of Herman Calloway’s pub. Bud announces that he is Herman’s son. Bud’s announcement is met with laughter. Herman is an old man. The band takes a liking to Bud and they allow him to stay and work for them.
Bud is actually Herman’s grandson. Bud’s mother ran away from home as a teenager. Bud is reunited with his grandfather and family. Bud finds his way out of a dismal existence into a warm, loving environment.
I enjoyed reading Bud’s story. The passages detailing the abuse Bud endured were jarring. Ultimately, this is a beautiful story of courage and redemption from a ten year old protagonist. I highly recommend this book.
©2009 The Literate Mother