Bud, Not Buddy

We just completed an awesome writing project derived from the book, "Bud, Not, Buddy" written by Christopher Paul Curtis. We had just arrived to the part in the book where Bud finds out that Herman E. Calloway was Bud's father, but was his grandfather.  The class was really excited to find out what happened with this revelation. We talked about possible consequences and how the book might end.  I then took all of the books away (somewhat dramatically) and told them that they would have to finish the book.  I put a prompt on Google Classroom and for the next few weeks the class wrote their own conclusion.  Our principal and vice-principal posted that they loved the stories and came in several times to talk with the kids about the stories.  It wound up being one of the best writing assignments I have given. I am posting one of the responses below.

We stopped reading at this point, “Mr. Jimmy said, “Bud, that’s enough.  Herman is not your father.  But Angela Janet is his daughter’s name.  IF what you’re saying is true, Lord help us all, it looks like Herman might be your grandfather.”  

Pretend that you are the author, Christopher Paul Curtis, and finish the story.  Be sure to include the different characters and dialogue.  The author need almost 30 pages to finish the story.  You do not need to write that much, but it is expected that you will have a full, complete ending.  You will have a week to finish.

Name:

 Bud, Not Buddy: The Final Chapter

‘’Mr. Jimmy said, “Bud, that’s enough. Herman is not your father.

But Angela Janet is his daughter’s name.

If what you’re saying is true, Lord help us all, it looks like Herman might be your grandfather.

Mr. Jimmy left to go check on Mr C. I stood outside in shock thinking about that mean old big belly guy being my grandfather. I didn’t understand if Mr C. was my grandfather, then who is my dad? how come momma hadn’t gave me more clues? shucks, I wish momma was right here this moment with me. Mrs. Thomas came outside to get me she ask what happen with Herman? I just stood there for a moment silent “ Bud’ she ask “Yes, ma'am” I said afraid to hear what she was going to say. I told Mrs. Thomas everything that had happened she grabbed my arm and said “ I am tired of this distance between you and Mr. Herman we are going to fix this right now” shucks, for a little lady like her she is really strong” “Ma’am I don’t think this is the right time or moment. She stared at me and said “ I won’t make you talk to him right now but be sure that tomorrow morning you will talk with him”

I couldn't sleep just thinking about what was going to happen next. I pick up my suitcase and got the flyer that I had. I stared at it for a hot minute and just rip it into half I gave up I have been looking and looking for my dad and all I have been causing are problems I give up. As I sat on the little dead girls bed I thought I had a plan tomorrow as soon as I finish talking with Mr. Herman I will leave back on the lam. I just sat on the (LDGB) little dead girls bed dust from the ceiling got in my eyes and tears started to come out I guess I am a big baby after all. I cried myself to sleep.

The next morning, I open my eyes and I was still half asleep so my vision is blurry but I thought that there was a women in my face calling my name. As my vision got better there she was Mrs. Thomas. Shucks, she can really give someone a good scare.

“Come on Sleepy Labone,” here we go I got ready my plan was going to go on now!!!! I said in my head after I got ready Mrs. Thomas took me to talk to that mean old guy

“ Open the door big guy” said Mrs. Thomas

“what for”

“open the door or I will open it myself”

We walked in slowly admiring the room. I looked around I saw so many different things that he had that look just like mine.

“ I thinks It's time for you two to talk there is so much negativity between you two and it's tiring”

I Was surprised the big guy did not disagree, this time we all sat down on the bed and stared at each other. It was silent until Mrs. Thomas Said go on now talk. I did not know what to say I was confused.

My plan was about to change I was nervous was it going to work? were they going to catch me? ready one, two, one, two run I grabbed my suitcase put a good grip on it and ran.  Bud, Bud where are you going? Come back I am sorry screamed a man!!! I stop was that the man I thought that said that. I turned around slowly not knowing what I was going to be staring at. I look and there was Mrs. Thomas and Mr. C standing in a weird frozen position staring at me.

“ Bud I am sorry I should have never treated you like that”

“It was just the way you came at me saying I was your father, It kinda creeped me out.”

“ I am also sorry for the way I came at you, I should have never came like that I am sorry but I will be leaving back to Flint”

“No don’t go Bud” for a minute I felt special. But I had to go.

“ Sorry Mr. C but I am not going to be happy here”

“ You don't like me anyways” I felt rude for a second and then started to walk slowly as I picked up the pace.

“ No Bud stay here with me said Mr. C I will take care of you” I can't bare to lose another person, and don’t you think your mother I mean my daughter he said in a shaky voice. Then he started again don’t you think your mother will be proud of us finally meeting and bonding”

“Yes Mr. C no, no son call me grandpa”

“ Now let's get out of here I said this room is too dusty and my eyes are starting to get watery.”

“ I agree said Mrs. Thomas and my grandpa at the same time.

Here we go I was ready to start a new family and relationship with my grandpa. It felt good to not have to worry about anyone hating me anymore and switching families anymore. We went to the kitchen and ask Mr. C to make a toast we all got apple juice and I yelled excitedly TO OUR NEW BIG FAMILY!!!!!!!!!. Welcome everybody said I was glad I stayed I would have missed out on a very big change.

Today was a very big concert for the band and I was so excited grandpa asked me to play with them. We were in the concert setting up the crowd was very excited I felt nervous but I have been practicing really hard and I have come a long way. Five, Four, Three, Two, One we started playing and I just closed my eyes and felt the beat the crowd was going wild. I finally felt apart of something I felt like we were a big happy family. After we finished playing my grandfather asked “ Weren't you looking for someone” I knew exactly who that someone was. “ I gave up I am never going to find him, anyways I just keep causing problems”. “Well I got some great news for you my boy” “what?”

Rule number 900 of being a great liar

When  an adult says that they have some great news for you it means the opposite they just say that so you won’t scared so run.

“What news I replied”” Me and you are going to a place where we are going to start a new life together. You are going to go to school we are going to start all over I am going to be like your dad what do you think”. I jumped on him hugging him I never thought that will ever happen today really was the best day ever.