Early Blackbirds 2026 Bud, not buddy - Christopher Paul Curtis

In 1936, amidst the hardships of the Great Depression, 11-year-old Bud Caldwell flees a dreadful foster home in Flint, Michigan, determined to find his father. Guided by his suitcase of treasures and a flyer for Herman E. Calloway's jazz band, Bud embarks on a courageous journey. Facing challenges and unexpected encounters, he discovers more than he imagined about family, hope, and his own resilience.