• Notice the author's unique style of writing. Discuss some things that make the style unique.

• What do you like about the way the book starts? What don't you like? Why?

• Bud says that his eyes don't cry anymore. Why do you think his eyes don't cry?

• Why do you think Bud's mom saved the flyers that Bud keeps in his suitcase?

• How would the chapter change if it were told from Toddy's point of view? From Mrs. Amos's?

• What does Mrs. Amos mean when she says, "I do not have time to put up with the foolishness of those members of our race who do not want to be uplifted" (page 15)?

• What do the allusions add to the book?

• Why do you think Bud has devised a set of rules to live by?

• What are some of the most vivid, interesting, funny, or sad descriptions in the book so far? Why do these descriptions stand out to you?

• Why is the suitcase so important to Bud? If you were Bud, what items would you put in your suitcase? Why?

• Think about a time when you were in a scary place. What do you remember about the place and the experience?

• Review the description of the shed in Chapter 3. What images stand out to you?

• What are the most important events that have happened in the book so far?

• Why did Bud's mother name him Bud? What do you think this means about Bud and his future?

• In Chapter 5, Bud and his mother discuss doors opening and closing. How does this metaphor relate to Bud?

• How does Bud use his list of rules to help him through difficult situations?

• As Bud walks into the library, he takes a deep breath and thinks about how "no other place smells anything like it." He mentions the different things that give the library its special smell. Describe some places in your own life that have distinctive smells. How do you feel when you are in these places?

• What do you think Bud will do next?

• At the end of the chapter, Bud talks about a door closing and one opening. What do you think he means?

• What has Bud learned about families?

• Why do you think Deza's mom describes children who are alone as "dust in the wind"?

• Is Bud lost? Why or why not?

• Do you think the song "Shenandoah" is related to Bud's life? Explain.

• Which images appear more than once in chapters 9 and 10? Have you seen these images before? Where?

• What are some possible themes of the book? How did you arrive at these themes?

• Are you surprised by Bud's decision to walk to Grand Rapids? Do you think he will make it?

• How is Bud feeling as he walks alone in the dark? How would you feel if you were in his place? Would you make the journey?

• Make a prediction about the man Bud calls "the vampire." Is he a good man who is going to help Bud, or a person who could hurt Bud? Explain your reasoning.

• What do you think about Lefty Lewis and his family? Why do they take care of Bud?

• What do you predict will happen to Bud after he leaves the Sleets' house?

• Discuss the characters in the book so far. Which characters are round and which are flat? What are examples of direct and indirect characterization of these characters?

• Describe the setting of the story, including the physical, geographical, social, and political elements. Explain how the setting helps make the story believable.

• Discuss the challenges Bud faces in the story. How does the setting add to these challenges?

• Identify motifs that are still recurring. Why are these images important to the story?

• Bud hears Herman E. Calloway say, "There comes a time when you're doing something and you realize it just doesn't make sense to keep on doing it, you ain't being a quitter, it's just that the good Lord has seen fit to give you the sense to know, you understand, enough is enough." How does Bud feel when he hears this? Why?

• Do you think that Herman Calloway is really Bud's father? List reasons that he might be and reasons that he might not be.

• What does "this is your little red wagon, you pull it if you want" (page 152) mean?

• Why do you think Bud begins to cry?

• There are many references to seeds being planted or sprouted in the book. What do you think is the significance of these references?

• According to Bud, Herman E. Calloway is "doggone mean and hard to get along with." Why do you think Calloway hasn't warmed up to Bud the way the others have? What might be the reasons for his behavior?

• What are some of the most interesting details of the room in which Bud sleeps? How does he feel when he is in the room?

• Bud tells Miss Thomas that his spirit is "a lot stronger than it looks . . . most folks are really surprised by that." Give examples of Bud's strong spirit.

• Why does Bud like his new nickname so much? How does it make him feel?

• Why do you think the band members welcome Bud so warmly? Why might they be drawn to Bud?

• How does Bud feel when he hears the band play? What words and phrases does he use to describe the music?

• Talk about setting. Why was life difficult for African-American musicians at the time this story takes place?

• Were you surprised by events at the end of Chapter 18? Why, or why not?

• Bud gets new information about his possible relationship with Herman E. Calloway. How does he feel about this information?

• What does Bud mean when he says that he is carrying his momma inside him?

• What do you think of Herman Calloway's reaction to the news of his daughter's death?

• What do you learn about Bud's character from his actions and reactions in this final chapter?

• Does the ending of the story seem believable? Why or why not?

• Why do you think Christopher Paul Curtis included an Afterword? Do you think the information in the Afterword adds to your understanding of the characters and events in the novel? Why, or why not?

• According to Curtis, why is it important to talk to older relatives and friends and "keep their stories alive"? Do you agree with Curtis?