Bud, Not Buddy

It was 1936, the middle of the Great Depression. Bud Caldwell's mother dies, and he decides to find his father. His mother never told Bud his father's name, but his mother left a few clues. Will he be able to piece together the puzzle?

Discovery Questions

After your child receives and reads this book, Discuss one or more of the following questions to help him/her make connections and build comprehension.

• Bud keeps his prized possessions in his suitcase. Where do you keep yours? Why? Are they safe? Write a story about your favorite possession. Share it with a parent.
• When Bud leaves the Amos's house he does something to Todd that doesn't hurt Todd, but still isn't very nice. Think of another character in another story. What did that character do that was not kind? Use a Venn diagram. Compare that character to Bud. Share your diagram with a parent.
• Bud has a list of rules for "making a better liar out of yourself." Why did he want to be a better liar? Why is lying wrong? Talk about it with a parent.
• Bud was living in a time and place where it was not easy to be a black person. He needed a lot of help. The librarian helped him, as did Lefty Lewis, and the people in Hooverville. Pick one of these people. Pretend you are Bud. Write a thank you letter. Tell them what your life is like now, and how they helped change it. Share your letter with a Parent.

Book Details