Friday, August 21, 2009

Throwback Thursday!

Reasons why this is late: I NEED TO FINISH MY SUMMER HOMEWORK AND CHOOSE COLLEGES AND APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND READ AND STILL HAVE TIME TO EAT AND SLEEP AND BLOG AND GAHHHHHHH!!!

However, I will set aside my freak-out and do this post if it kills me. Someone needs to learn to do reviews in advance.

Today's Throwback Thursday is a wonderful novel full of adorable little quirks by the name of Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis.

Ten-year-old Bud, a motherless boy living in Flint, Michigan, during the Great Depression, escapes a bad foster home and sets out in search of the man he believes to be his father--the renowned bandleader, H.E. Calloway of Grand Rapids.

Honestly, I love male narrators, but I don't think I've ever loved a male narrator more than I love Christopher Paul Curtis' male narrators.

But, Not Buddy, while being a great book for reluctant readers, is really a heartfelt story. It's sometimes humorous, sometimes saddening, and always satisfying. I especially loved Bud's "Rules and Things" There are funny ones like "Rules and Things Number 83: If an adult tells you not to worry, and you weren't worried before, you better hurry up and start, 'cause you're already running late." There are also really true ones like "Rules and Things Number 63: Never, ever say something bad about someone you don't know--especially when you're around a bunch of strangers. You can never tell who might be kin to that person or who might be a lip-flapping, big-mouth spy."

Honestly, the only character I really remember is Bud. He was very street-smart for such a young kid, and unafraid of the world. Still, he was childish, naive, and hopeful, making him all the more lovable. Also, like Kenny of The Watsons go to Birmingham-1963, he was just really funny at times.

The reason I only remember Bud is because this novel was quite the adventure. Bud is an orphan who jumps from place to place, so he was the only character we stayed with throughout the novel.

But don't think my lack of memory points to dull characters. There were some lively ones. There was his temporary foster family, all of whom were positively horrible, not to mention Herman E. Calloway and his band, whom I vaguely remember being enamored with.

Bud, Not Buddy is just a really great kids book that will make you laugh and almost cry. And the folks that run both the Newbery and the Coretta Scott King Awards obviously agree.

Tashi <3

P.S. Check out that super-schnazzy cover! And look at the one over at Barnes and Noble, too! While you're at it, this book would be a great gift for any elementary-age kid.

No comments:

 
Blog Widget by LinkWithin