The Legend of Buddy Bush

Reach for this book when your middle or high schooler is beginning to grapple with the complexities of systemic injustice or when your family is facing the quiet, heavy transition of a loved one's illness. Set in 1947 North Carolina, the story follows twelve-year-old Pattie Mae as she navigates a world where the people she loves are under threat from both a biased legal system and failing health. It is a profound exploration of how a young person maintains hope and a sense of self when the adults around them are struggling. While the historical setting includes the harsh realities of the Jim Crow South, the core of the book is about the enduring strength of the Black family and the power of dreaming of a better future. It is a necessary choice for parents looking to bridge the gap between historical facts and the lived emotional experience of prejudice and resilience.