Bud, Not Buddy (novel)

Hello. I have a hard cover and soft paper pages inside. My pages are full of little black shapes. The shapes are words that tell a story. When you open me up, my pages rustle like leaves. Shhh. A story is about to begin. I am a book. My special name is Bud, Not Buddy. I love to share my story with children just like you. I sit on a shelf and wait for a new friend to pick me up and read my words.

A kind man named Christopher Paul Curtis made me. He dreamed up my story with his big imagination. He filled my pages with adventures. On September 14th, 1999, he shared me with the whole wide world. Inside my pages, you will meet a very brave boy. His name is Bud. Bud is on a big trip to find his family. It was a tough time for people, but Bud was full of hope. He carried a small suitcase and a big, happy heart. He wanted to find where he belonged.

Lots and lots of children read my story. They cheered for Bud. They hoped he would find his family. My story made people so happy. Because so many people loved me, I got a special, shiny sticker in the year 2000. It is called the Newbery Medal. It shows I am a very special book. Even today, I love to tell Bud's story. I help you remember that family is like a happy song. And finding your family is the best adventure of all.