Characters & Relationships
* Orphan: A child without parents.
* Foster: To care for a child temporarily.
* Grandfather: A father's father.
* Grandmother: A mother's mother.
* De facto: In fact, or in effect, even if not officially recognized.
* Unofficial: Not authorized or recognized.
* Kindred: Relatives, especially those related by blood.
Life in the 1930s (Great Depression)
* Depression: A severe and prolonged downturn in economic activity.
* Hooverville: A shantytown built by homeless people during the Great Depression.
* Dust Bowl: A period of severe dust storms in the Great Plains during the 1930s.
* Migrant worker: A person who travels from place to place looking for work.
* Jim Crow: Laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States.
* Segregation: The separation of people based on race, religion, or other characteristics.
* Discrimination: Unfair treatment based on someone's race, religion, gender, or other factors.
* Lynching: The illegal killing of someone, usually by hanging, by a mob.
Music and Entertainment
* Jazz: A musical style that originated in African American communities.
* Blues: A musical style characterized by melancholy and themes of hardship.
* Ragtime: A musical style that originated in African American communities, characterized by syncopated rhythms.
* Showman: A person who performs or entertains an audience.
Other Important Words
* Harlem Renaissance: A period of great artistic and cultural development among African Americans in Harlem, New York City.
* Resilience: The ability to withstand difficult situations and bounce back.
* Determination: Firmness of purpose; resolve.
* Persistence: Continued effort to do something despite difficulties.
* Integrity: The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
Tips for Learning Vocabulary
* Context Clues: Pay attention to the sentences surrounding the unknown word. Often, other words in the sentence can give you a hint about the meaning.
* Dictionary: Use a dictionary to look up unfamiliar words.
* Word Walls: Create a word wall where you can write down new words and their definitions.
* Flashcards: Make flashcards with the word on one side and the definition on the other.
* Practice: Use the new vocabulary words in your own writing and conversation.
I hope this helps you explore the fascinating world of "Bud, Not Buddy"!