Laurel Leaf Library Bud, Not Buddy: (Newbery Medal Winner)

This book was part of my 4th grade son's assigned reading material and it is fantastic! We loved the story so much that we bought the kindle reader version for rereading. I will not be a spoiler by telling the story. Read the synopsis and grab a sample for that. What I will say is that this is a great book that highlights the courage of a young boy whose life is not "privileged" in any sense of the word. It's a story that brought my son to a place where he learned about a horrible part of history through a boy of his own age. He recognized that life was unjust, and insanely difficult, for adults and children alike. This book highlights Buddy's perseverance and courage as he navigates his way towards the hope for a better future. It also, beautifully, highlights a reality that very few of us have experienced. It is an excellent book based, in part, on the life of the author who penned the story. My 10 year old son, who gripes about most of the assigned reading, was greatly affected after reading it. This was the first book to make a marked difference in his present understanding, ability to stand up for what is right and a desire to be a viable part of a better world.

What a treat! We read this together as a family and laughed and cried while I tried to recall stories of my grandparents too. We bought it to read as preparation for the performance of the show-- but only have one ticket...so my daughter is going. Still, it's such a good read, don't miss it! I'm fairly conservative home schooling mom but this gets dialog going and lets kids think about life in new ways- and be grateful for the smallest blessings we take for granted.

I read this book to my grandchildren. They both loved it and we had a wonderful time learning about bud. It was a tremendous experience for all three of us and gave us a chance to talk about grandparents and grandchildren.My wife also read it while she was hiking the Appalachian Trail while the granddaughters were with me. She enjoyed it so much that she is going to recommend it to her book club. She read the last chapter again when we were reading it so that we could feel like we were together.Thank you for providing this wonderful experience. We look forward to reading many more of your books together.

Bud, Not Buddy is a great story, very touching, and it took us on a ride we weren't expecting. What I thought was a tale about an orphan in foster care ended up being a story about a boy going on a life-changing adventure, and something about it reminded me of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (the same character passing through different acts in the play of his life on his way to his destination). It's written for children, but adults will love it too (it's not juvenile at all) and it's really just a beautiful, wonderful story.

Following 10 year-old Bud around during the Great Depression as he navigates his way from Flint, Michigan to Grand Rapids, Michigan in search of his father, is an adventure the reader will not soon forget. Bud has never known his father, and his mother died when Bud was six. Having spent time in an orphanage and different foster homes, Bud has developed survival skills that he outlines for the reader in his “Bud Caldwell’s Rules and Things to Have a Funner Life and Make a Better Liar Out of Yourself”. In his travels he meets several people who help him on his journey. Bud’s account of each meeting leaves the reader rallying in support of Bud in his quest to find his father. The story takes a somewhat surprising turn when Bud finally reaches Grand Rapids. The story is a great read and a page turner. It is difficult to put down because with each chapter the reader wants to find out what happens to Bud. This book can be enjoyed as an entertaining read for ages 9-12, or it can be incorporated into a 4th or 5th grade Social Studies lesson on the Great Depression. I give the story 4 out 5 stars only because I personally felt the ending left the reader wanting to know a bit more about the rest of Bud’s life in Grand Rapids; there should be an epilogue at the end.