The book came to mind when I was resetting the Children's Picturebook Wall in Barnes and Noble the other night. I knew I wanted to read an award winning children's book for each letter of the alphabet, time permitting. Since I finished Alice so quickly, Bud became a possibility. Plus, February is African-American History Month. I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to begin celebrating the month and to read another Newbery Award winner (It is sad the only ones I have read are The Graveyard Book by Gaiman, A Wrinkle in Time by L'Engle, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by Konigsburg, Holes by Sachar, The Giver and Number the Stars by Lowry and When You Reach Me by Stead). I am really excited to add another Newbery to my list of books. :) I am such a dork.
Christopher Paul Curtis was born May 10, 1953 in Flint, Michigan. He has written several books on African-American families and youth including The Watsons Go to Birmingham: 1963 and Elijah of Buxton. During his early years, Curtis attached doors to cars in an assembly plant. He decided to take a year off to write The Watsons Go to Birmingham: 1963 which turned out to be a major success. He currently lives with his wife and has two children.
Bud, Not Buddy is about a young African-American boy who is an orphan. So far, I have only read the first five chapters...I think I am up to page 42. Basically, he is sent out to a foster family that is paid to take care of him over the summer, the Amos Family. They are really rude to say the least. Their son, Todd, is a total butt. He wakes Bud up one morning by shoving a pencil in his nose. Bud punches him. Todd beats him. Todd lies about it all to his mom and fakes an asthma attack. Bud is kicked out and moved to the shed to sleep for his last night at the Amos house because Todd's mom is an idiot and believes anything he says. Bud is stuck in the shed and is terrified. He thinks a vampire bat is in there to suck his blood, so he takes a rake out from the corner and beats at the "bat" on the ceiling...it turns out to be a hornet's nest. The hornets sting. Bud breaks the window. He gets out and goes in the house while the Amos family is sleeping and gets "revenge." He fills a glass with warm water and puts Todds hands in it while he is sleeping so he will wet the bed (Mrs. Amos hates NOTHING more than a bed wetter). Then, Bud runs away finally freed.Bud has one attachment: his suitcase. He is particularly proud of it since no other kids have one at the Home. The Amos' hold the suitcase "hostage" until Bud can prove he can make the night out in the shed without doing anything to the family, but Bud is able to escape anyway and take it with him. The suitcase has memories of his mom who died when he was six. Bud is now ten. The book takes place in 1936 during the Great Depression.
Bud has a "publication" titled Bud Caldwell's Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making Better Liar Out of Yourself. He often reflects on this set of rules and uses it to make decisions. Two things he says multiple times already: You can kiss my wrist (if only I could put it that way) and My name's Bud, not Buddy.
I did not read much today because I had to open Gap at 7am. I was knocked out after my shift and the gym. I went to bed at around 4 this afternoon, woke up at 845 for dinner and watched Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (such a riot) and then wrote this. As usual, forgive my shotty writing...it is just free expression. Tonight, I am not going to read anymore, either. I have to open Gap at 6am and then complete a closing shift at Barnes and Noble 4-midnight. UGH.
This Friday, Elizabeth Kostova, author of The Historian and the newly released The Swan Thieves will be signing, speaking and reading at Barnes at 7:30PM. Saturday, Newbery Award winning author Rebecca Stead will be doing the same. Come out to Old Orchard Barnes and Noble for these two great women!
Have a lovely, lovely night. ;)
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