The Legend of Buddy Bush

by Shelia P. Moses

The day Uncle Goodwin "Buddy" Bush came from Harlem all the way back home to Rehobeth Road in Rich Square, North Carolina, is the day twelve-year-old Pattie Mae Sheals' life changes forever.

Pattie Mae adores and admires Uncle Buddy -- he's tall and handsome and he doesn't believe in the country stuff most people believe in, like ghosts and stepping off the sidewalk to let white folks pass. He unsettles the dust and brings fresh ideas to Rehobeth Road. But when Buddy's deliberate inattention to the protocol of 1947 North Carolina lands him in jail for a crime he didn't commit, Pattie Mae and her family are suddenly set to journeying on the long, hard road that leads from loss and rage to forgiveness and pride.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Fiction, African American, Family, Childrens

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Poet, author, playwright, and producer Shelia P. Moses was raised the ninth of ten children on Rehobeth Road in Rich Square, North Carolina. She is the co-author of Dick Gregory's memoir, Callus on My Soul, as well as the award-winning author of several books for young readers. Shelia lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Reviews

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This book made me realize how bad segregation was in the 40s and how it got worse in the 50s and 60s. The Main Character goes through a lot and has parents who won’t tell her anything just because she’s a kid. The reason I rate it a four is because some of the racist language used in this book really got to me and made me really uncomfortable but overall I enjoyed this book and want to pick up more from this author.

[Briana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always like a book either with compelling plot or character depth. I just couldn't get into this one, and probably missed something by not getting more than 50 pages in. No hook for me.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Library copy. In 1947 Rich Square, North Carolina twelve year old Patty Mae lives with her mother and grandparents and adores her Uncle Buddy. He's handsome and smart and just home from living up North in Harlem. Pattie Mae's mother is a sharecropper but her grandparents own their land, bought through her great-great-grandfather's labor towards his former slave owner. In the midst of racism and injustice Pattie Mae's strong family endures heart-breaking trauma as her grandfather slowly dies from a previous injury done in brutality by the town's sheriff and her Uncle Buddy is put in jail after unjustly being accused of attempting to rape a white woman who passed him on the sidewalk. Seen through the eyes of Patty Mae, the confusion and violence embedded in the community are direct and real. The story is based on true events that the author, Shelia P. Moses, learned about at her grandmother's knee. It's beautifully written and rich with conversation material for a book club or study group. there is a sequel called The Return of Buddy Bush. Recommended for grades 6-8. National Book Award finalist for Young People's Literature, 2004, and Coretta Scott King Author Honor book, 2005.

Sheila P. Moses (1961–) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old Pattie Mae can't wait to go north to visit her older sister and to get away from Rehobeth Road in North Carolina. Although she has loving grandparents and a mother who is strict but caring, Pattie Mae is eager to go to Harlem. In the meantime, though, she's enjoying spending time with her uncle Buddy, who even takes her to see her very first movie. However, Buddy is accused of attacking a white woman, and in the 1947 South, just being black is enough to convict Buddy of a crime he didn't commit. As the family tries to help Buddy, they must also deal with Grandpa's failing health.

Pattie Mae is absolutely delightful; her story is one that will have readers laughing and crying on the same page. The rich setting, excellent character development, and interesting storyline provide something for just about everyone. This great work of historical fiction is a National Book Award finalist and a Coretta Scott King honor book, and I am delighted to know that there's a sequel, The Return of Buddy Bush, which I'm reading immediately.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm trying to get in the mood for a presentation I'm doing in January on African-American literature. I saw this on my class bookshelves and realized that I'd not read it.

I like the honesty in the portrayal of the main character... but sometimes it was too honest for my eyes

I seriously had to consider whether I wanted to keep the book on my shelves when I realized what was going on about the "tiddies". I'd already had concerns when the main character kept going on and on about pee.

In a way, I have concerns about the voice of the character. I know that is how people think/talk; I hear it in my classroom daily. Does reading that type of language encourage students to continue using a dialect which will prevent them from achieving the success they want? Will they make the connection between the poverty and dialect?

At this point, the book has been on my shelves for 5 years. I doubt one student has even read it so the point is moot.

I have no idea who I'd recommend this book to.

[Kara Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Although Pattie Mae Sheals has dreams of going to Harlem, where some of her family lives, she knows that Rehobeth Road in Rich Square is really home. But when her grandpa develops a brain tumor and her uncle Buddy Bush -- who's come to town from Harlem in his sky-blue Cadillac and pinstripe suit -- gets falsely accused of attempting to rape a white woman, Pattie Mae's world turns upside down. Grandpa's eyesight gradually begins to fail and Buddy is put behind bars, which of course gives Pattie Mae plenty to worry about. Yet with the strength of her family and the support of local townsfolk, her hope remains strong -- particularly after some spectacular events free Buddy from jail."

I loved that I was swept into this drama filled book! I was engrossed with the characters from the very beginning. I know that young girls would love to read this book and I would like to read this to my class. I could use it in February (Black History Month). Loved this book.

[Glenda Faison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book as part of an English class assignment at FSU. I found the book very enjoyable and relatable. Having grown up in North Carolina in the 60's, and with a granddaddy very similar to Grandpa Jones,this book brought back memories of being on my granddad's small farm helping, with the chores and most importantly listening to him tell stories of how things was and how he and his family had to live. I could see myself in Pattie Mae, for I had an uncle who lived in Harlem and I too always wanted to visit him and his family.

This review came about because of another class assignment on diversity and multicultural literature. I had to choose a book and research the author. From the research, I feel as though I know Shelia P Moses. I am currently in school to become a Math teacher, but I would wholeheartedly use this book as a class reading and writing assignment to enhance their math skills or just encourage the students to read.

[Frank]

this book grap my attention.i in enjoy reading it n the lengend of buddy bush uncle goodwin wen he came from america n pattie was about 12 years old n on that day wen uncle goodwin came home pattie her life all change.uncle goodwin wen he came from america he has a car n wen he ask pattie if wen wanded to go for a ride n she wen for a ride after sheriff stop then n uncle goodwin wen to jail between wen he wen to jail pattie wen home the sheriff took her wen she gt home she toll uncle goodwin dad that he wen to jail.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2005 Coretta Scott King award honor book
National Book Award finalist

Historical fiction based on actual events, takes place in 1947 North Carolina. Narrated by Buddy's 12 year old niece, it is the story of a black man falsely charged with the attempted rape of a white woman.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel reads slow. Very little action takes place and it is predictable. That being said, the kids were engaged with this readaloud. The novel did a good job showing the life, feelings, and experiences of an African American girl in the American South in 1947.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two recollections woven into one. Easy, fast read. Not a favorite, but good portrayal of a young, coming-of-age girl's views of the prejudice around her. Coretta Scott King Author Honor book.

[Kearita · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book was very excting to read i learn intersing new things.

[Tina P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow moving, but a good story of racial rights.

[Explorations in Literacy]

Based on actual events - could use a fact/fiction chart to analyze these differences.

[Liz Healy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great glimpse of the Jim Crow South through the eyes of a young black girl. Takes place in Rich Square, NC where my grandmother was from.

[GPPL Youth]

https://swanlibs.ent.sirsi.net/client...

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read that I enjoyed. I felt the pace was off. I didn't get to know Buddy very well and nothing really happened until about half way through the book.

[Adeno]

I haven't got to finish reading this book but it is surely a great book. It talks about a family who live in a slave house with no master. It takes place after slavery and the family that live there still grow and sell crops. Its an interesting story and I wish I had more time to read it. Nothing to interesting has happened since I have read it and I have only read about 40 pages. Anyone who has read books by Shelia should read this one. If you have read one of her famous books Joseph you will love The Legend of Buddy Bush.

[Kyra Boisseree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gosh, this book is the perfect reading level for my students. I would LOVE to switch out The Cay for this book. I will definitely be recommending it to the admin. There are some things that will make it a hard sell, but it would be such an improvement to the syllabus overall. Now I just need to find a replacement for the 8th grade Book About Racism that the 8th grade teacher would be willing to replace To Kill a Mockingbird with....

[Audiobook Accomplice (Gillian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating without being heartbreaking… Oh thank goodness!
My Full Review

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't remember where I heard about this book. Am so glad I did. It is based on a true story I didn't know.

[Danielle Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea Buddy Bush was a real person. I loved the narrator of this story. I was really able to connect with her emotions.