Eventually, Bud finds out that Calloway is his grandfather, and he finds the home he wants with the jazz band. Calloway, take more kindly to Bud and give him some dinner. Though his father rejects him, the other band members, including saxophone player Steady Eddie and band leader Herman E. Upon reaching Grand Rapids, Bud finds the Dusky Devastators of the Depression, the band which his father is a member of. Lewis provides Bud with a real bed to sleep in for the night, and a ride to Grand Rapids. Bud begins the long hike from Flint to Grand Rapids, but on the way there, he runs into Lefty Lewis, who cajoles Bud, using food, into accepting a ride and help. However, Bugs makes it onto the train and Bud doesn't, so Bud returns to Flint, where a librarian gives him instructions for getting to Grand Rapids and finding Calloway. Bud decides that he should try to find Calloway, who he thinks might be his father.īud and Bugs, another orphaned boy, team up and go to the shantytown (or Hooverville) so they can hop a California-bound train and hopefully get jobs in the West. He brings with him mementos of his mother: a bag of stones, a special blanket, a childhood photograph of his mom, and fliers for a jazz band, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression, and their leader Herman E. But the Amoses' son Todd bullies Bud, causing Bud to run away.īud decides to run away from his foster home in the hope of finding a permanent home and a better life. Bud has just been placed with the Amoses, his third foster family. The book opens in 1936, four years after Bud's mother's death.

Bud, Not Buddy centers around Bud Caldwell, a 10-year-old orphan who has grown up in Flint, Michigan.

Bud not buddy