Monday, June 1, 2009

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Book Genre: Historical Fiction

Publishing Info: Delacorte Press (236 pages)

Awards: This book won the Coretta Scott King Award and the Newberry Award.

Summary: It is the Great Depression and an 11 year old African American orphan named Bud Caldwell is on a journey to find his father. Bud never knew his father, but he held on tight to a few clues about the man that his momma left him before she passed away. Surviving only on street smarts and the kindness of a few strangers, Bud traveled across Michigan to discover, not his father, but the grandfather he had never known.

Personal Rating: ****Great! It is an adventure story that keeps you guessing what is going to happen. The author has a unique way of presenting the story from the mindset of an 11 year old boy.

Reading Level: 5.0
Interest Level: 5-6

Possible uses in reading and writing across the curriculum: This would be a great book to include in a unit on Black history or American history during the time period of the Great Depression. The book is rich in figurative language which is a learning objective in the intermediate grades. Because of the author's craft of writing style, I think students in intermediate grade will be able to relate to the main character. This could translate into a deeper connection and more thought provoking writing assignments.

Potential Problems or difficulties: None

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