How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I said, "I'd trade you in a minute. The worst thing that's going to happen to you is that they're going to make you play house a lot […] I tickled Jerry under his chin and said, "Ga-ga, goo-goo, baby-waby."
Jerry couldn't help but smile. I said, "You're going to be great."
Jerry looked like he wasn't so scared anymore so I went over to my bed and started getting ready. (1.21-23)
Bud really shines as a kind person in this part. Even though he is lying about wanting to trade, he is talented at putting Jerry at ease about the new home he will be living in.
Quote #2
I can't all the way blame Todd for giving me trouble, though. If I had a regular home with a mother and father I wouldn't be too happy about other kids living in my house either. (4.6)
Whoa! After being totally beaten up and then scammed out of sleeping inside the house and locked inside a shed and stung by hornets, Bud can still see Todd's side of the story and understand it. Would Bud really feel this way if he were Todd?
Quote #3
I was wrong when I said being hungry for a day is about as bad as it can get, being hungry and having a big knot on your head from a black leather strap would be even worse. […] A very tall, square-shaped man in old blue overalls looked down at me and said, "Clarence, what took you so long?" (6.14-16)
Just when Bud is about to get himself into a heap of trouble, his "pretend poppa" comes to the rescue and pulls Starving Bud into line. The whole family plays along perfectly. How did they all know what to do so well? Had they done this before? This was a big risk for them since they could have been kicked out of line, too. This shows that some people were willing to go out on the line to help others during a difficult time like the Depression.
Quote #4
"…Believe me, son, being on the road is no good. If you two boys are from Flint, this is the right Hooverville for you."
Someone said, "Brother, why don't we feed these boys. That one looks like he ain't et in two or three months." (8.80-81)
Although this Hooverville is full of people with the least ability to be hospitable, seeing how they live in cardboard boxes and cloth, they still manage to be kind and compassionate to two lost boys crashing their party. Because of these folks, Bud lives another day. It's another example of people who don't have much to give still going out of their way to help. It almost seems like the less people have to give, the more they're willing to help others.
Quote #5
When she was walking me to the door, the librarian stopped at her desk and said, "Now I know that knowledge is a food, but I couldn't help noticing you never went to eat. You must be very hungry."
She handed me a paper bag and gave me another smile. (9.27-28)
Bud has missed some meals and is totally hungry, so the librarian's gift of a sandwich is the best thing that could have happened to Bud at this moment. We're sure the librarian is hungry, too, but she gives up her lunch for Bud because she can see that he needs some food and won't be able to get it anywhere else. Bud probably wouldn't have been able to begin his quest for his father in Grand Rapids without this gift from the librarian.
Quote #6
He got in the car and said, "You'll never know how grateful I am to you Bud. I'll take that horrible image of you putting the car in gear to drive away while I stood by the side of the road in Owosso, Michigan, at two-thirty in the morning to my grave with me. Thanks God you don't know how to drive." (11.17)
Thank goodness Lefty Lewis comes along. Lefty Lewis is one character who shows Bud true compassion and forgiveness. Bud is just a little kid, after all. Really, he may have saved Bud's life. On top of all that, Lefty forgives Bud right away for taking off with his car!
Quote #7
She said, real soft, "Bud, wake up. Come on, sweetie. I've got a nice breakfast waiting for you." (11.92)
Bud wakes up in heaven. Well, heaven for little lost starving boys with no comfort or warmth. Lefty's daughter, Mrs. Sleet, makes a huge breakfast and gives Bud new clothes. He is welcomed in and is treated with love by these perfect strangers. This scene really shows us the power of kindness on someone else's life.
Quote #8
"Bud," he said, "you look like you might be a little hungry so I'll tell you what we're going to do. […] You're invited to come along under one condition."
"What, sir?"
"Once you've got something in your belly, you've got to be straight with me…" (13.34-36)
Even though Calloway is ready to give poor Bud the boot, Jimmy shows Bud a little compassion by feeding him and giving him a little time before answering questions. It is this gesture that allows the band enough time to get to know Bud, a little of his story, and welcome him into their home.
Quote #9
Steady Eddie said, "You're gonna have to lay off the kid's chops, the little man's got problems enough and he sure don't need you meddling with him…. (13.83)
Eddie becomes Bud's first real friend in this story, not counting Bugs earlier on. We like Eddie. Not only does he stick up for Bud at times when Bud can't really do it himself, he also shows Bud a great deal of kindness. Eddie is a big reason Bud finds a home here.
Quote #10
She said, so quiet that I was the only one who could hear it, "OK, baby, OK. I know, sweetheart, I know." Then she started humming again and with my ear mashed up against her chest it felt like all my bones and muscles quit doing their hobs, it felt like something as big as a steam locomotive engine was chug-chug-chugging right past my ear. (14.98)
It is this last amazing act of compassion that allows Bud to let out all of his bottled up feelings. Bud gets hugged and rocked and hummed to, as if Miss Thomas were his own mother. This is really all he needed all along: someone to take care of him and let him be a kid.