Bud, Not Buddy Free Audiobook Download by Christopher Paul Curtis

This book is set in the 1950s and tells the story of 12-year old Bud, who lives with his mother in a small house by the railroad tracks. He's trying to get by as best he can but it's tough living in a town that has never seen or heard from an African American ever before. When things look bleak, everything changes for Bud when he meets William Henry "Bud" Lloyd Jr., a 13-year old from the North who has come south to find his father, an African American man and World War II veteran. His friendship with Bud helps him create his own family in Greenville, South Carolina - one that will become legendary for generations to come.

Bud, Not Buddy tells the story of a young boy named Bud, who dreams of being anything but himself. We follow Bud as he dreams of becoming the star quarterback on his team, the one-eyed junkman with a heart of gold, and even an old farmer who has been working the same land for years. Bud's brother is also living out his own dreams in the city where he acts, sings and dances under different aliases to pursue his passions. With the help of family, friends and teachers, Bud learns that it's never too late to change your life for something better.

This is a story of friendship and loyalty. This is a story about people who have made major mistakes in their life, but they have learned from them. They have forgiven themselves, others, and God. The book really talks about the power of forgiveness and how we must forgive one another because nobody can carry the burden of everyone else's sins.

Bud and his dog, Lizzie, are homeless. One day, a man named "Mr. C" offers him a job for $200 a week as a house painter. Mr. C's wife, Cynthia Crawford, is sick with cancer and has just been denied health insurance by her employer when Bud comes along to help out. Mr. C decides to go back on the insurance plan when he learns that Bud is homeless too. They decide to pool their resources together and start up their own painting business called "Free Enterprise."

Bud is a young boy who never had much family but always made time for those he did love. Bud comes to the realization that he is not alone and has many friends who love him unconditionally. Throughout the story, Bud learns valuable lessons about life and friendship while growing up in the 1930s.

The narrator, 'James Avery' does a wonderful job of telling this story without the use of any extra sounds like background noises or music. You could easily listen to this book on your commute to work or in the gym while you're working out.