Bud has been an orphan since his mother died.  After escaping from a cruel foster family, Bud must make it on his own.  All he has with him is an old beat-up suitcase with a few memories of his mother, a poster for a jazz band, some rocks with strange letters on them, and a whole lot of spirit and heart.  It is with this that Bud sets out on a journey to find his father, who he thinks (and believes he has reason to believe) is the man on the jazz poster.

 

A historical novel set during the Great Depression of the 1930's, Bud must overcome racism, poverty, and the difficulties of life during this time.  It is the characterization of Bud that is the strength of this book.  Bud is engaging, humorous, and determined.  He has delightful quirks such as taking language literally, believing in vampires, and having a list called "Bud Caldwell's Rules an Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself."  These characteristics make Bud literally pop off the page and into the reader's heart and mind.  The setting includes authentic details, such as the description of "Hooverville," the perception and treatment of African Americans, and the Brotherhood of the Pullman Porters which Lefty Lewis was helping to organize.

 

The historical details in this novel are accurate and give interesting details that a reader might not know, yet the story is not overwhelmed by these details.  For example, Herman E. Calloway had a white band member so that this band member could book the band and also own land on behalf of Herman E. Calloway.  This practice was necessary and common during this time, and it realistically shows how an African American would have acted during this time in history.

 

BUD NOT BUDDY offers a wonderful story of a young boy who has a lot of spirit while giving a realisitc glimpse into the lives of people during the Great Depression.