Bud, Not BuddyObjective: To understand what life was like for an African American boy during the Great Depression Era.

Book Summary: This story is about a boy living in the Depression. He lost his mother and is goes on a journey to find his father using clues that were left behind. The young boy, Bud Caldwell, runs away from his abusive foster home in search of his father. He has many adventures and learns many lessons along the way.

Christopher Paul CurtisBud, Not BuddyOriginally published in 1999Reprinted in 2002 by Random House Children’s Books

Standard and Hyperlinks

• 5-4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of American economic challenges in the 1920s and 1930s and world conflict in the 1940s.

• Man on side of the street with his head down• Breadline • Rural Couple• Bridge • Farmhouse

Simulated Journal Entry

• Write a journal entry about how this man is feeling and why he is feeling that way.

Breadline

• If you got a chance to interview one of these men, what questions would you ask? Come up with 6-8 questions. Capture their expressions by creating a face out of clay.

Role Play

• The “Rural Couple” shown here are weary due to their hard life during the Great depression. Write a script containing ten lines of dialogue that would go with this statue. Illustrate characters by creating puppets to go along with your script.

Letters

• You are a orphan traveling alone. You have been given an address that could be that of your fathers. Write a letter to your best friend telling them about your journey so far.

Poetry

• You have lived in this farmhouse your entire life. The crops have been destroyed and you are forced to abandon your home. Write a poem about how you feel.