ParentsPick

Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner) — Content Guide for Parents

By Christopher Paul CurtisRandom House Children's Books2004-09-14ISBN 9780553494105288 pages
Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner)

Themes present

Racial/cultural content

Not found

ViolenceScary contentReligious themesProfanityClimate changeSexual identityGender rolesLGBTQ+ themes

Content themes

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Religious themes

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

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, recipient of the Coretta Scott King–Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement.
 
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.
 
BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR:
The New York Times
School Library Journal
Publishers Weekly

 
“[A] powerfully felt novel.” —The New York Times
 
“Will keep readers engrossed from first page to last.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred
 
“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

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner) appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    No violence is explicitly mentioned in the search results. The book is described as a tale filled with poignancy and laughter, focusing on the experiences of a young boy during the Great Depression. No scary content is mentioned in the search results. The narrative is described as enchanting and filled with humor, rather than frightening.

  • Does Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner) have violence?

    No violence is explicitly mentioned in the search results. The book is described as a tale filled with poignancy and laughter, focusing on the experiences of a young boy during the Great Depression.

  • Does Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner) have scary content?

    No scary content is mentioned in the search results. The narrative is described as enchanting and filled with humor, rather than frightening.

  • Does Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner) have religious themes?

    No religious practices, beliefs, or ceremonies are mentioned in the search results. The content focuses on the narrative and historical context of the story.

  • Does Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner) have racial/cultural content?

    The book features a 10-year-old African-American orphan, Bud Caldwell, and explores themes related to his experiences during the Great Depression. The narrative addresses racial identity and historical context.

  • Does Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner) have profanity?

    No profanity is noted in the search results. The reviews suggest that the book is suitable for children and does not contain inappropriate language.

  • Does Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner) have climate change?

    No climate themes are mentioned in the search results. The narrative does not address environmental issues or activism.

  • Does Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner) have sexual identity?

    No sexual content is mentioned in the search results. The narrative appears to be appropriate for children, focusing on historical themes and personal growth.

  • Does Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner) have gender roles?

    No specific gender roles or themes are mentioned in the search results. The focus remains on the protagonist's journey rather than on gender dynamics.

  • Does Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner) have lgbtq+ themes?

    No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are mentioned in the search results for 'Bud, Not Buddy'. The focus is primarily on the historical and personal journey of the protagonist, Bud Caldwell.