If you’re looking for a historical fiction novel that will captivate your students and teach powerful lessons, Bud Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis is the perfect pick! Set during the Great Depression, this book follows the story of Bud Caldwell, a 10-year-old orphan with a heart full of hope and a suitcase full of “Rules and Things” to help him navigate the world.
After running away from a foster home, Bud sets off on a journey to find his father—a man he believes is a famous musician based on clues left behind by his mother. Along the way, Bud encounters colorful characters, hard truths, and a whole lot of adventure. Full of humor and heart, Bud Not Buddy also weaves in serious themes of identity, family, and resilience, making it a fantastic read for upper elementary students.
Now, let’s look at some fun, educational ways to extend this book into your classroom!
1. Create a “Bud’s Rules and Things” Writing Activity
Bud’s rules for life are one of the most charming parts of the Bud Not Buddy—each one is a little nugget of wisdom (and sometimes a lot of humor!) that Bud has picked up along the way.
Here’s an idea: Have your students work together create a classroom set of “Rules and Things” based on their life experiences or lessons they’ve learned in your classroom. They could write rules about friendship, studying, or even recess!
For example, you might see something like this:
Rule 29: Never start your math homework without a snack.
You can also extend this by discussing why Bud created these rules—how did his experiences shape his perspective? It’s a great way to connect character development to real-world lessons!
2. Timeline of the Great Depression: Mapping Bud’s Journey
Bud’s journey takes place during the Great Depression, and the novel paints a vivid picture of this challenging time in American history. Tie history to the story by creating a timeline of important events during the Great Depression.
Students can map out:
- When Bud sets out on his journey
- Major historical events happening in the same time period
- Key locations Bud visits
This can lead to rich discussions about how the historical context shapes the events of the Bud Not Buddy. As a bonus, have students create mini-research projects on life during the Depression. How does Bud’s experience as a Black boy during this time differ from what they’ve learned about the era?
3. Bud’s Jazz Adventure: Music Appreciation and History
One of the key themes in Bud Not Buddy is the importance of music, especially jazz! Bud believes his father is Herman E. Calloway, a famous jazz musician, and much of the book revolves around this search for family and music.
Create a music appreciation lesson around jazz! Introduce students to famous jazz musicians from the time period like Louis Armstrong or Duke Ellington, and then play a few of their songs in class. Ask your students to think about:
- How jazz influenced the culture of the time
- How it might have been a source of hope or expression during hard times like the Great Depression
Students could even write a journal entry as if they were Bud, describing what it felt like to hear jazz for the first time!
4. Black History Month: Exploring Resilience and Representation
Bud Not Buddy is a fantastic choice for Black History Month, as it touches on themes of resilience, family, and identity within the context of African American history.
Here’s an idea for highlighting these themes: Ask students to write an essay or create a visual project that explores how Bud represents the theme of resilience in the face of adversity.
You can also broaden the discussion to include other influential African American figures who, like Bud, displayed resilience and determination to overcome challenges. This is a wonderful way to connect Bud’s story to real-life examples of perseverance from Black history.
5. Bud’s Suitcase: Symbolism and Creative Expression
Bud’s suitcase is one of the most important symbols in Bud Not Buddy—it’s packed with his memories and hopes for the future. Invite your students to design their own “suitcase of dreams”!
Ask them:
- What would they pack if they were setting off on an adventure like Bud?
- What objects or memories are meaningful to them and why?
This can be a fun art project where students illustrate or create their own suitcase on paper, along with written descriptions of the items inside. It’s a great way to explore the theme of identity, and it might just surprise you how creative (and deep!) your students can get.
6. Compare and Contrast: Bud vs. Other Characters
To dive deeper into character analysis, have students compare Bud’s character with other characters in the book, like Herman E. Calloway or Bud’s friend Bugs. This is a great opportunity to practice compare and contrast skills while also discussing how Bud changes throughout his journey.
Ask students:
- How does Bud grow from the beginning to the end of the story?
- What do the other characters teach him along the way?
- What role does family (found and biological) play in his development?
This could be a Venn diagram activity where students identify similarities and differences between characters or a writing prompt that encourages reflection on Bud’s growth. For more fun character trait activities check out this blog full of ideas that will work with any fiction book!
7. Bud’s Path: A Map-Making Adventure
Bud does a lot of traveling in the book, and it’s a great opportunity to sneak in a bit of geography! Create a map of Bud’s journey—starting from Flint, Michigan, and ending in Grand Rapids.
Have students:
- Plot out key stops along Bud’s journey.
- Research how long the trip would take if it happened today (talk about a real-world connection!).
- Discuss why these locations were significant in the context of Bud’s story.
Not only does this activity help students with map skills, but it also encourages them to think more deeply about how setting affects the storyline of Bud Not Buddy.
8. Novel Study Guide for Bud Not Buddy
To make planning your reading lessons even easier, consider using a novel study guide to support students as they read Bud Not Buddy. This novel study includes chapter-by-chapter comprehension questions, vocabulary lists, literacy activities, and writing prompts. By using this novel study as a guide, you can help students stay engaged with the text while providing structure to their reading.
For an effortless planning experience, this ready-made resource for Bud Not Buddy will take the guesswork out of creating lesson plans, leaving you more time to focus on engaging discussions and fun extension activities like the ones above.
Bringing Bud Not Buddy to Life
Bud Not Buddy is more than just a historical fiction novel—it’s a powerful story of resilience, family, and the importance of holding onto hope. Whether you’re celebrating Black History Month or simply looking for a captivating novel to engage your students, there are so many ways to bring Bud’s journey to life in your classroom.
From exploring symbolism with Bud’s suitcase to comparing his resilience to real-life figures in Black history, you can extend this book in ways that make it meaningful, memorable, and fun for your students. So grab your suitcase (don’t forget your jazz records!), and let’s journey through Bud’s adventure together!