Bud, Not Buddy

by Christopher Paul Curtis

1999
Age ranges: Grades 5-8
Genre(s): multicultural, historical fiction
Newbery Medal
Story summary: Set during the great depression, Bud, Not Buddy tells the story of a young orphan in search of his father.  Bud has few possessions but they are very important to him because they will lead him to the man who is surely his father.  Getting tired of being mistreated after his mother's death in foster home after foster home, Bud decides to set out to find his father. Bud has many trials and hardships along the way and is very surprised by what he finds at the end of his journey.
My reaction: This is a beautiful story of struggle, determination and success.  It opens the reader's mind to the struggles of the Great Depression, of African Americans in the 1930's and the plight of the orphan.