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Bud is an engaging, resourceful survivor. He is about 10 years old. He survived the death of his mother, living in an orphanage, being placed in an abusive foster home, running away, staying in a Shanty town, and a myriad of other situations. While the novel exhibited some of the limitations of juvenile fiction (i.e., unresolved story lines -- Why did his mother leave? Where did she go? Who is his father, really? Why didn't she ever contact her father again? and a pretty rosy, happily-ever-after approach to serious life challenges) we had a great discussion about some important topics and themes.
We discussed our personal self-talk. Bud describes how ideas are like a seed planted inside him that grow into mighty oak trees. He had his collection of precious things. He was so motivated to find his father that he didn't let anything get in his way. He valued and kept track of his treasures. That tenacity helped him accomplish something practically impossible for a child his age and come to understand his true identity.
We loved how the band members took Bud in and gave him a place to belong. They gave him a nickname (all band members have one), an instrument, responsibilities and showed him many kindnesses.
Susan asked us if any of us had a memory of someone who was a mentor or made a big difference in our lives when we were young. Bud's experience with the library and the trust he had in the librarian's ability to help him really resonated with me. I have written before about being a library helper in the 4th grade and what an impact for good that had in my life.
I also had a very positive relationship with 2 other librarians: Willa Mae Mayne was the church librarian and I was asked to be her assistant when I was a young teenager. I felt so grown up and learned so much from her. She trusted me. I also worked for Linda Fariss at Savanna High School during my senior year of high school. She let me work independently and she also entrusted me with real responsibilities. She introduced me to many current events and music that I was not familiar with (James Taylor, for one). She treated me as an equal.
We also talked today about how each of us can help save a child, through working as a volunteer in the schools or at church or through other charity work. I thought a lot about my "Tuesday Talk and Treat" I hosted for some of the young women I worked with at church a few years ago. I have very fond memories of those times and I hope they do too! I also think about Kathie, my beloved youth leader when I was 16-17 years old--she changed my life. Through her influence and how she treated me I felt like a real person.
I especially loved the author's note at the end of the book encouraging generations to connect. Kids need to listen to their grandparents' stories. We need to do more to help families develop strong family cultures and relationships.