BUD, NOT BUDDY is the fictional story of an orphaned boy caught in the foster home system and his journey to find the man he believes is his father. Set in the Depression era, the author brings that period to life without ever having to tell the reader about the times. He just shows them. In one scene, Bud shows up too late for the free food being given out to the hungry. A family pretends that he is with them and he is allowed to eat.

Without lecturing, Curtis shows the readers that families were hungry, jobs were not to be had, and that so many people needed help that there even had to be a cut off time for supper. Other signs of the time are included in the book. Bud's speech is very authentic sounding without being too confusing for the reader. There is something very believable about the scene in which Bud eats in a restaurant for the first time.

The story is also essentially about family. Bud searches for his father mostly because he wants to be a part of something, part of a family. Even contemporary readers can identify with this longing, especially after the types of foster homes in which Bud has to stay. The reader believes in Bud's character so much that they will find themselves rooting for the fulfillment of his wish. Beautifully written, set in a very familiar and believable way, BUD, NOT BUDDY is a great book to share with children.