Reviews

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

miriamleann's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful sad

4.75

allicatca's review against another edition

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4.0

Really lovely. 4.5 stars. A heartfelt story. The journey of Bud who was orphaned at age six and had a lot of growing up to do after that.

I was easily sucked into this story and wanted so much to know what happens that I read the whole thing in just a few days. Excellent character development.

What I hope to remember from this book is the old saying: "when one door closes, anither opens."

chapita4's review against another edition

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5.0

The Boo's review (age 7). Go ahead and put this on your favorites list right now! All of it was soooooooo good, my favorite part was that Bud got to learn how to play instruments. There were some scary parts...but don't worry because things work out. Also...it's not a real vampire bat in the shed, it's a wasp nest and those bites are bad but they don't drain out all your blood. Bud was my favorite character because he is the main character and you learn all about him. I would read this book all over again!

sophia_bookdragon's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

katdfleming's review against another edition

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5.0

This book!! Oh I could not love it more!!

andiemags53's review against another edition

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3.0

Cute read with my O-man.

brendalovesbooks's review against another edition

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3.0

Cute book, but nothing that wowed me, or that would make me want to read it again.

book_concierge's review

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5.0

Audio book performed by James Avery.
5***** and a ❤

In Depression-era Flint, Michigan, 10-year-old Bud Caldwell (BUD, not Buddy) is plucked from the “home” to go to a foster family. This will be the third foster home he’s been in, and he’s not impressed. But he takes his worn, cardboard suitcase with his few but treasured possessions and tries to make the best of it. Before he knows it, he’s on the lam, determined to find his own way and sure that the things his Momma left him are clues to his father’s identity and whereabouts.

I love Bud. He’s imaginative, intelligent, resourceful, well-mannered, curious, and ever-hopeful. Once he’s decided to find the man he is sure is his father, nothing will stop him. He endures hunger and fear, but also comes across kind-hearted men and women who help him (though he isn’t always forthcoming about his goal, and outright lies about his situation more than once). He’s also quite the philosopher – having compiled a list of Bud Caldwell’s Rules and Thing for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself. Among my favorites: Rule # 83 - If a Adult Tells You Not to Worry, and You Weren’t Worried Before, You Better Hurry Up and Start, ‘Cause You’re Already Running Late.

Curtis doesn’t gloss over the difficulties faced by many during the Great Depression, giving the reader a history lesson on the conditions in Hoovervilles across America. But he also shows that with determination, hard work, and compassion people survived the hardships and formed lasting bonds. As an adult, I really appreciated the afterword wherein Curtis explains some of his own family history and suggests, no orders, the reader to “Go talk to Grandma and Grandpa, Mom and Dad, and other relatives and friends.”

James Avery is marvelous performing the audio book. Heck, I was scared when Bud was in the shed with the “vampires” and fish-guards! And at the end, my eyes started that same “stingy-eyed blinking” that afflicted Miss Thomas.

jacobthesigma's review against another edition

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mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

0.25

I read this book in english class and hated it.

alidottie's review against another edition

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4.0

4 and a half stars