Summary
Ten-year-old Bud Caldwell escapes from his abusive foster home in 1936 Depression-era Michigan and sets out to find the man he believes is his father. Armed with a suitcase of precious belongings and his mother's clues, Bud embarks on a journey that leads him to a jazz band and discoveries about family, belonging, and hope.
Language
💬 Does Bud, Not Buddy have profanity or strong language?
Profanity (F-word, S-word, etc.)None
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Blasphemy / Religious ProfanityNone
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Crude / Childish LanguageMild
Specific scenes, context, and how prominent this is in the story appear here.
| f-word | 1-2 |
| sh*t | 1-2 |
| *ss | 1-2 |
| b*st*rd | 1-2 |
| b*tch | 1-2 |
| bl**dy | 1-2 |
| bug**r | 1-2 |
| d*mn | 1-2 |
| c-word | 1-2 |
| h*ll | 1-2 |
| cr*p | 1-2 |
🔒 Sign in free to read the detailsViolence
⚔️ Is Bud, Not Buddy violent or scary?
Graphic Violence / GoreNone
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Disturbing / FrighteningModerate
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Vulgar / Obscene GesturesNone
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Bullying / Verbal CrueltyModerate
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🔒 Sign in free to read the detailsRomance & Sex
💋 Romance and sexual content in Bud, Not Buddy
Explicit Sexual ContentNone
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Sexually SuggestiveNone
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Kissing (Light / Peck)None
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Kissing (Passionate)None
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Heterosexual RomanceNone
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Homosexual RomanceNone
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🔒 Sign in free to read the detailsDrugs & Alcohol
🍷 Drugs and alcohol in Bud, Not Buddy
Illegal Drug UseNone
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Legal Alcohol UseMild
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Implied / Referenced UseNone
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🔒 Sign in free to read the detailsOther Content
📋 Other content in Bud, Not Buddy
Medical / Body ProcessesNone
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Heavy Emotional ThemesModerate
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Deception / LyingMild
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