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Buddy Is a Stupid Name for a Girl
That's all Buddy wants -- a normal family. But with her mother dead, her father missing, and her brother on the road searching for him, Buddy has a hard time believing it will ever happen. Instead she's living with relatives she hardly knows who resent her for reasons she can't figure out. They think everything about her is strange, especially her name.
Buddy can't give up hope -- that her father is out there, somewhere, and that her brother will find him so they can be a family again. But until then can Buddy find some way to accept her new life? Or will she always feel different?
Buddy can't give up hope -- that her father is out there, somewhere, and that her brother will find him so they can be a family again. But until then can Buddy find some way to accept her new life? Or will she always feel different?
224 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2001
About the author
Willo Davis Roberts
124 books140 followersWillo Davis Roberts was an American writer chiefly known for her mystery novels for children and young adults. She won Edgar Allan Poe awards in 1989, 1995, and 1997 for best juvenile and best young adult mysteries. Her books included The View from the Cherry Tree, Twisted Summer, Don't Hurt Laurie, Megan's Island, Baby-sitting is a Dangerous Job, Hostage, The Girl with Silver Eyes, The One Left Behind and Scared Stiff.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 4, 2007
Very nice YA book. My only concern was that if this were a true story, CPS totally would have been involved by like page 2 and the whole story would be different (said the social worker!). :) BUT, aside from that... great story and a easy read.
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November 3, 2013(review written from an 8th grader in 2013)
Buddy is alone with only her brother to comfort to. She lost her mother at a young age, while her father is missing. One day, when they couldn't afford rent at their small apartment anymore, Buddy and her brother, Bart, decide to live in their father's car, which he left. But during their stay in the car, they realize it's unsafe, with many homeless and drunk people around banging on their car.
So Bart decides to leave. To find their father, while Buddy lives with her relatives she hardly knows.
The rest of the book is about Buddy and her stay at Haysville, where she meets her relatives and learn more about her father and her long lost mother.
I can feel what Buddy is feeling: Feeling abandoned by her father and brother, taken to an odd place, and forced to get used to her surroundings.
I rate this book a 4/5, mostly because of the interesting plot that Willo Davis Roberts planned out.
Buddy is alone with only her brother to comfort to. She lost her mother at a young age, while her father is missing. One day, when they couldn't afford rent at their small apartment anymore, Buddy and her brother, Bart, decide to live in their father's car, which he left. But during their stay in the car, they realize it's unsafe, with many homeless and drunk people around banging on their car.
So Bart decides to leave. To find their father, while Buddy lives with her relatives she hardly knows.
The rest of the book is about Buddy and her stay at Haysville, where she meets her relatives and learn more about her father and her long lost mother.
I can feel what Buddy is feeling: Feeling abandoned by her father and brother, taken to an odd place, and forced to get used to her surroundings.
I rate this book a 4/5, mostly because of the interesting plot that Willo Davis Roberts planned out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2014
This book is rough. It starts with pain. It continues with pain. The pain is raw, and it is written so realistically that you feel it. This book is rough. But it draws you in. You want good things to happen for Buddy, so you keep reading. You read through the pain, and you hope to be rewarded. You hope Buddy is rewarded. That is how this book sucks you in.
That being said, it is not a bad book. It is only so painful because it is so well written. It is only so painful because the characters are meant to be relatable. It is written so that you can put yourself easily into their characters shoes, whether you want to or not. Do you want a better life for Buddy? I guess you're going to have to keep reading.
I would recommend this to serious readers, readers who enjoy reading about overcoming struggles, and readers who want to read about dysfunctional families.
That being said, it is not a bad book. It is only so painful because it is so well written. It is only so painful because the characters are meant to be relatable. It is written so that you can put yourself easily into their characters shoes, whether you want to or not. Do you want a better life for Buddy? I guess you're going to have to keep reading.
I would recommend this to serious readers, readers who enjoy reading about overcoming struggles, and readers who want to read about dysfunctional families.
December 8, 2007
Buddy, who is a girl, spends most of the book trying to find out why her aunts hate her (buddy's) mother (who is deceased). Then she finds out why, and another mystery is revealed. I kinda liked it. Go for it, C.R. fans!
November 23, 2013
How would you feel if you had to live with relatives you hardly knew in a different state all by yourself? It was sure tough for a girl named Buddy also known as Amy Kate. Willo Davis Roberts' book titled Buddy is a Stupid Name for a Girl was an interesting book because it showed that other people have it way harder than I do.
This book is about a young girl who endures many hardships. She's separated from her brother Bart and father Dan, kicked out of her home, and is living with relatives in an unfamiliar area. A lot of this book is about her personal relationships with her relatives. She learns things that she never knew about her parents. There is even stress at school between her and her classmates because she is the new kid and they think her name is weird.
The main characters are Buddy, Max, Grandpa, Cassie, and Addie. Buddy's brother Bart goes searching for their father named Dan who never came back after going away for a job. Cassie and Addie are Buddy's aunts. Aunt Addie is married to Gus who has a son named Max. Grandpa is Addie's and Cassie's father and Buddy's grandpa. They all live in the same house. Grandpa is very old, legally blind, and has dementia. He does some funny things like putting the remote in the microwave. Gus is a self centered, gambling drunk who never really wanted to care of his son Max. Aunt Addie dated Dan before Buddy's mom so that created weird family tensions.
The setting is in Haysville, Montana, a very small town with nothing to do. Everyone knows everyone's business so relationships are more intense. There are mysteries in this book. Grandpa goes missing but is later found. Aunt Addie blames Buddy's mom for Grandpa's missing money. The ending was predictable but it still was a good book.
I recommend this book to teens and young adults. It reminds everyone that you can never give up even when things happen out of your control. When life is rough, you should push through and you can be as strong as Buddy turned out to be.
This book is about a young girl who endures many hardships. She's separated from her brother Bart and father Dan, kicked out of her home, and is living with relatives in an unfamiliar area. A lot of this book is about her personal relationships with her relatives. She learns things that she never knew about her parents. There is even stress at school between her and her classmates because she is the new kid and they think her name is weird.
The main characters are Buddy, Max, Grandpa, Cassie, and Addie. Buddy's brother Bart goes searching for their father named Dan who never came back after going away for a job. Cassie and Addie are Buddy's aunts. Aunt Addie is married to Gus who has a son named Max. Grandpa is Addie's and Cassie's father and Buddy's grandpa. They all live in the same house. Grandpa is very old, legally blind, and has dementia. He does some funny things like putting the remote in the microwave. Gus is a self centered, gambling drunk who never really wanted to care of his son Max. Aunt Addie dated Dan before Buddy's mom so that created weird family tensions.
The setting is in Haysville, Montana, a very small town with nothing to do. Everyone knows everyone's business so relationships are more intense. There are mysteries in this book. Grandpa goes missing but is later found. Aunt Addie blames Buddy's mom for Grandpa's missing money. The ending was predictable but it still was a good book.
I recommend this book to teens and young adults. It reminds everyone that you can never give up even when things happen out of your control. When life is rough, you should push through and you can be as strong as Buddy turned out to be.
January 11, 2013
Plot
Buddy and Bart are waiting for their father to return from the new job he took with a trucking company. Trouble is, that was two weeks ago and their super is kicking them out of their rental home. Reluctantly, the siblings agree that Buddy should go live with their estranged maternal aunts while Bart goes to look for their dad. Buddy is less-than-pleased with the arrangements, and for good cause. She arrives in Haysville (or Hayseed, as her 'cousin' Max deems it), Montana to live with her Aunt Cassie, her step-son Max and her alcoholic husband Gus, her sour Aunt Addie, and Grandfather, who is losing both his memory and his sight. From the discussion around her, she knows that something happened involving her mother to cause a scandal in the small town and resentment from at least one of her aunts.
Opinions
The book had me intrigued from the beginning. I haven't come across many books in which the protagonist is homeless or where the general slump economy is demonstrated across an entire community. Also, it hit a soft spot with me as soon as Kalispell, Montana was referenced as being nearby. Seeing a dysfunctional family, especially one dealing with broken dreams (both aunts, but for different reasons) and an aging family member, and the strain caring for him takes, was refreshing and endearing (though that's not the word I want, I mean it was so great to see that in words and concepts from a young voice that resonated). Everything tied up neatly towards the end, but I like that it was slowly wrapped up. I was bothered that we never learned much about Uncle Ed, but I also feel like that would have been one too many strings in the weaving. Overall, very pleased with the book and look forward to an opportunity to share it.
Buddy and Bart are waiting for their father to return from the new job he took with a trucking company. Trouble is, that was two weeks ago and their super is kicking them out of their rental home. Reluctantly, the siblings agree that Buddy should go live with their estranged maternal aunts while Bart goes to look for their dad. Buddy is less-than-pleased with the arrangements, and for good cause. She arrives in Haysville (or Hayseed, as her 'cousin' Max deems it), Montana to live with her Aunt Cassie, her step-son Max and her alcoholic husband Gus, her sour Aunt Addie, and Grandfather, who is losing both his memory and his sight. From the discussion around her, she knows that something happened involving her mother to cause a scandal in the small town and resentment from at least one of her aunts.
Opinions
The book had me intrigued from the beginning. I haven't come across many books in which the protagonist is homeless or where the general slump economy is demonstrated across an entire community. Also, it hit a soft spot with me as soon as Kalispell, Montana was referenced as being nearby. Seeing a dysfunctional family, especially one dealing with broken dreams (both aunts, but for different reasons) and an aging family member, and the strain caring for him takes, was refreshing and endearing (though that's not the word I want, I mean it was so great to see that in words and concepts from a young voice that resonated). Everything tied up neatly towards the end, but I like that it was slowly wrapped up. I was bothered that we never learned much about Uncle Ed, but I also feel like that would have been one too many strings in the weaving. Overall, very pleased with the book and look forward to an opportunity to share it.
March 7, 2014
This is more of a 2.5 star book, but I chose to round up this time. The story is a bit predictable - or maybe I've just read too many books. There is a plot hole in it as well. The narrator makes it sound like .
I hated that Max's mother left him with an abusive parent. I thought she was a selfish, rotten, mother. Even if you are poor, you figure out a way to not leave your child with someone like Gus. I also thought the issue of Gus was left just hanging there. Why would Cassie even marry someone like him? Roberts needed to paint him in a good light in some way, or I don't think Cassie would have married him.
I loved the grandfather, Dan, Max, and Bart. I also really liked Addie for all her rough edges.
I hated that Max's mother left him with an abusive parent. I thought she was a selfish, rotten, mother. Even if you are poor, you figure out a way to not leave your child with someone like Gus. I also thought the issue of Gus was left just hanging there. Why would Cassie even marry someone like him? Roberts needed to paint him in a good light in some way, or I don't think Cassie would have married him.
I loved the grandfather, Dan, Max, and Bart. I also really liked Addie for all her rough edges.
March 5, 2012
This book comes from the era of "dysfunctional family" novels. Buddy's father is missing, accused of hijacking a semi he was driving, and her brother has gone to find him and clear his name. Buddy is sent to live with her deceased mother's sisters and father, who is suffering from dementia. Throw in one of the sister's abusive, alcoholic husband and his son, and you have more problems than one family can handle. On top of that, Buddy's mother is suspected of stealing her father's money just before she was killed in an automobile accident.
The author keeps the spotlight on Buddy as she tries to navigate the relationships in an unfamiliar household and solve the mystery of the disappearing money. Some of the characters felt a bit melodramatic, specifically the alcoholic Gus, enabler Cassie, and Grandpa. But there's enough tension to keep readers turning pages to see if it will all work out in the end. Middle school girls, especially, should enjoy this story.
The author keeps the spotlight on Buddy as she tries to navigate the relationships in an unfamiliar household and solve the mystery of the disappearing money. Some of the characters felt a bit melodramatic, specifically the alcoholic Gus, enabler Cassie, and Grandpa. But there's enough tension to keep readers turning pages to see if it will all work out in the end. Middle school girls, especially, should enjoy this story.
April 4, 2010
this book is about this girl named buddy and her mom died and her father is missing and her brother is looking for him. she is living with other relatives. she doesnt really know them at all. they think she is weird and strange. buddy is trying to stay positive but its hard because of the way she is living.
this book shows how you can never give up hope. and how you always have to stay and think postive. it shows that there are hard time but if you can make it through the hard time then good would come out of it and something good will happen to you.
this book shows how you can never give up hope. and how you always have to stay and think postive. it shows that there are hard time but if you can make it through the hard time then good would come out of it and something good will happen to you.
June 10, 2015
Do you want a heart breaking tear making book that talks about a girl nicked named buddy and her brother Bart .This story starts of when here father goes and tries a new job but doesn't came back and the land lord kicked them out of there house because of the rent . So then they were sent to Montana with aunt Addie, and Cassie and her drinking husband Gus and Gus's son Max . Will Buddy's brother ever find the father?
June 20, 2008
A great book about a poor,young girl whose father goes missing. She lives with her brother and father, but the brother must go and look for the father, so she is shipped off to live with some relatives.
January 19, 2010
this book is really good it teaches me a lesson to stay close to my family and love them while i have the time to this is the book im reading in my book club in ms.copper class u should read this book if u like good mystery books.
July 14, 2008
Realistic. Some religion as she prays and has to remember to thank God for helping. Might not sit well with atheist parents.
October 21, 2009
Like all of the books by Willo Davis Roberts I have read, Buddy is a stupid name for a girl was truly excellent! But I think it could use a sequal!
October 3, 2010
Omigosh! It had such and adorable ending. I absolutely loved it. I loved the names it used too. It was simply awesome!
February 5, 2012
This is my all time favorite books! :) luv this book. if u haven't read this then you really need to.
November 17, 2024
This was a sweet kids story with Christian values about a family struggling to get by and all the complexities that go with it. From death to aging parents to bum husbands, it will teach kids to understand people from different walks of life.
April 17, 2018
Good upper elementary/lower middle school book.
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April 20, 2025Romantic tension with your cousin 🤮
June 30, 2026
For a middle school level book, it’s pretty good! I decided to reread it before getting rid of it for nostalgia purposes and I think it’s a good suspense type book for beginning/younger readers.
July 12, 2024
It was an amazing book, the characters were very relatable which made them easy to like. It was a bit repetitive, but not too bad in that case, I was very interested the whole time I was reading, I read this in about 2 days, it was that good 😀. The plots twists were everything! This book is very under rated, it was great 👍 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 22, 2016
The book The old house by Willo Davis Roberts tells the story about Buddy who wants a normal family and her brother is looking for her dad when she has to stay at her aunts house that she barley knows.In each chapter, buddy had an emontional part that was like happy or sad.I sould recommend this book to people like books that have a good vocabulary and a good setting.My least favorite part of the book is when it said her dad will come to the hosue but did not show up in the end of the book.Overall, I thought the book was amazing and that I would probably read the other books of the author had published because of how good he makes the book sound.
September 4, 2017
The publisher really should have kept the original title for this book. The new title doesn't fit at all. The book is not about an old house. This is the second book I have read by this author- I was a huge fan of The Girl With the Silver Eyes as a kid. This book was a lightweight mystery geared for preteens. It was pretty decent. I liked how Buddy got to know her relatives and her Grandpa was a real cutup. Cute book.
July 22, 2008
awesome book
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May 9, 2010i love this book, i've read it so many times and never get tired of it
July 12, 2010
Cute, fun, interesting story.
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December 30, 2011This really touched me.
Want to Read
July 28, 2016via Newsletter
July 5, 2024
Exceptionly good! While it was quite depressing, most of the trauma was resolved by the end, overall a quite intriguing and interesting read :)
June 22, 2010
Good tween/teen book about family relationships, personal identity.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews