About the book
Luther T. Farrell has got to get out of Flint, Michigan.
As his best friend Sparky says, “Flint’s nothing but the Titanic.”
And his mother, a.k.a. the Sarge, says, “Take my advice and stay off the sucker path.”
The Sarge milked the system to build an empire of slum housing and group homes. Luther’s just one of the many people trapped in the Sarge’s Evil Empire—but he’s about to bust out.
If Luther wins the science fair this year, he’ll be on track for college and a future as America’s best-known and best-loved philosopher. All he’s got to do is beat his arch rival Shayla Patrick, the beautiful daughter of Flint’s finest undertaker—and the love of Luther’s life.
Sparky’s escape plans involve a pit bull named Poofy and the world’s scariest rat. Oh, and Luther. Add to the mix Chester X., Luther’s mysterious roommate; Dontay Gaddy, a lawyer whose phone number is 1-800-SUE’M ALL; and Darnell Dixon, the Sarge’s go-to guy who knows how to break all the rules.
Bucking the Sarge is a story that only Christopher Paul Curtis could tell. Once again the Newbery Award–winning author of Bud, Not Buddy and The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 gives us a whole new angle on life and a world full of unforgettable and hilarious characters. Readers will root for Luther and Sparky every step of the way.
Praise for The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963:
“An exceptional first novel.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred
“Ribald humor . . . and a totally believable child’s view of the world will make this book an instant hit.”—School Library
Journal, Starred
Praise for Bud, Not Buddy:
“Curtis has given a fresh, new look to a traditional orphan-finds-a-home story that would be a crackerjack read-aloud.”
—School Library Journal, Starred
Editions of Bucking the Sarge
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780385323079
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780440413318
- AltFormat
- ISBN 9780385901598
- EBook
- ISBN 9780307567253
- Audiobook
- ISBN 9781400090358
- Audiobook
- ISBN 9781400090365
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9781400090372
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780739360071
- AudioDisc
- ISBN 9781400090976
- AudioDisc
- ISBN 9781400094844
Read an Excerpt
Luther T. Farrell has got to get out of Flint, Michigan.
As his best friend Sparky says, “Flint’s nothing but the Titanic.”
And his mother, a.k.a. the Sarge, says, “Take my advice and stay off the sucker path.”
The Sarge milked the system to build an empire of slum housing and group homes. Luther’s just one of the many people trapped in the Sarge’s Evil Empire—but he’s about to bust out.
If Luther wins the science fair this year, he’ll be on track for college and a future as America’s best-known and best-loved philosopher. All he’s got to do is beat his arch rival Shayla Patrick, the beautiful daughter of Flint’s finest undertaker—and the love of Luther’s life.
Sparky’s escape plans involve a pit bull named Poofy and the world’s scariest rat. Oh, and Luther. Add to the mix Chester X., Luther’s mysterious roommate; Dontay Gaddy, a lawyer whose phone number is 1-800-SUE’M ALL; and Darnell Dixon, the Sarge’s go-to guy who knows how to break all the rules.
Bucking the Sarge is a story that only Christopher Paul Curtis could tell. Once again the Newbery Award–winning author of Bud, Not Buddy and The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 gives us a whole new angle on life and a world full of unforgettable and hilarious characters. Readers will root for Luther and Sparky every step of the way.
Praise for The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963:
“An exceptional first novel.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred
“Ribald humor . . . and a totally believable child’s view of the world will make this book an instant hit.”—School Library
Journal, Starred
Praise for Bud, Not Buddy:
“Curtis has given a fresh, new look to a traditional orphan-finds-a-home story that would be a crackerjack read-aloud.”
—School Library Journal, Starred
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bucking the Sarge about?
Luther T. Farrell has got to get out of Flint, Michigan.
As his best friend Sparky says, “Flint’s nothing but the Titanic.”
And his mother, a.k.a. the Sarge, says, “Take my advice and stay off the sucker path.”
The Sarge milked the system to build an empire of slum housing and group homes. Luther’s just one of the many people trapped in the Sarge’s Evil Empire—but he’s about to bust out.
If Luther wins the science fair this year, he’ll be on track for college and a future as America’s best-known and best-loved philosopher. All he’s got to do is beat his arch rival Shayla Patrick, the beautiful daughter of Flint’s finest undertaker—and the love of Luther’s life.
Sparky’s escape plans involve a pit bull named Poofy and the world’s scariest rat. Oh, and Luther. Add to the mix Chester X., Luther’s mysterious roommate; Dontay Gaddy, a lawyer whose phone number is 1-800-SUE’M ALL; and Darnell Dixon, the Sarge’s go-to guy who knows how to break all the rules.
Bucking the Sarge is a story that only Christopher Paul Curtis could tell. Once again the Newbery Award–winning author of Bud, Not Buddy and The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 gives us a whole new angle on life and a world full of unforgettable and hilarious characters. Readers will root for Luther and Sparky every step of the way.
Praise for The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963:
“An exceptional first novel.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred
“Ribald humor . . . and a totally believable child’s view of the world will make this book an instant hit.”—School Library
Journal, Starred
Praise for Bud, Not Buddy:
“Curtis has given a fresh, new look to a traditional orphan-finds-a-home story that would be a crackerjack read-aloud.”
—School Library Journal, Starred
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Bucking the Sarge?
Children’s, Teenage and Educational > Children’s / Teenage fiction and true stories > Children’s / Teenage fiction: Family and home stories
Where can I read a sample of Bucking the Sarge?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780385323079
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Bucking the Sarge?
Christopher Paul Curtis
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Bucking the Sarge is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780385323079) and paperback(ISBN 9780440413318) and altformat(ISBN 9780385901598) and ebook(ISBN 9780307567253) and audiobook(ISBN 9781400090358) and audiobook(ISBN 9781400090365) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781400090372) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780739360071) and audiodisc(ISBN 9781400090976) and audiodisc(ISBN 9781400094844)
Where can I buy Bucking the Sarge online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Bucking the Sarge from below
Where can I buy Bucking the Sarge?