Word Search Puzzle Pack for Use with Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

This Bud, Not Buddy word search pack helps students review vocabulary from Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis, written for Grades 5-8. It is a no-prep 48-page printable PDF with answer keys, sold on Teachers Pay Teachers.

At a glance

• Book: Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
• Grades: 5th–8th
• Resource type: Word search
• Format: 48-page printable PDF
• Answer key: Included
• Teaching duration: 1 Week
• Standards: L.5.4, L.6.4, L.7.4, L.8.4
• Price: $3.00

Bring vocabulary to life with this no-prep word search puzzle pack designed for Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. Your students will love reinforcing key terms, character names, and historical concepts from every chapter of this beloved Newbery Medal winner!

If you’re looking for a way to keep your students engaged with the rich language of the novel without adding hours of prep to your week, this pack has you covered. Just print and go — it’s that simple. Each puzzle pulls words directly from the text, so students stay connected to the story while building essential vocabulary skills.

What’s Included:

• 12 word search puzzles total — 10 chapter-unit puzzles covering all 19 chapters, plus 2 whole-book review puzzles
• 170 carefully selected words, including Tier 2 academic vocabulary (temporary, depression, dignity, generous) and Tier 3 domain-specific terms tied to the novel’s Great Depression setting
• Complete answer keys for every puzzle — quick and easy grading, or print for self-checking stations
• Well-illustrated design with thematic artwork inspired by the novel
• Available in both full-color and black & white versions — the B&W option is ink-saving and perfect for photocopying
• 48 pages total — designed for Grades 5-8

These puzzles work beautifully as literacy center activities, warm-ups, early finisher work, homework reinforcement, or end-of-chapter review. They’re also a lifesaver on sub days — leave a stack of word searches and your students will stay meaningfully engaged with the text while you’re away.

Students practice vocabulary retention, spelling accuracy, and visual scanning as they search for words in context. Aligned to Common Core ELA standards L.5.4, L.5.6, L.6.4, L.6.6, L.7.4, L.7.6, L.8.4, and L.8.6, this pack supports grade-appropriate academic and domain-specific vocabulary acquisition through engaging word recognition activities.

Get this resource on Teachers Pay Teachers today and have your class ready to go in minutes!

Disclaimer:

This product is an independent supplemental resource designed for use with Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the author or publisher. All references to characters, settings, and events are used for educational purposes only to support reading comprehension and classroom instruction. This resource does not include the original text. Students must have their own copy of the book to complete the activities. All content in this resource is original and created by the seller.

Fonts Used:
Roboto by Christian Robertson | Open Sans by Steve Matteson | Playfair Display by Claus Eggers Sørensen | Lexend by Dr. Bonnie Shaver-Troup & Thomas Jockin | Poppins by Jonny Pinhorn | Montserrat by Julieta Ulanovsky
(All fonts are available via Google Fonts and licensed for commercial use under the SIL Open Font License.)

More Bud, Not Buddy resources

All Bud, Not Buddy activities & puzzles

Frequently asked questions

What grade level is this for?

It is written for Grades 5-8 (TpT lists 5th-8th).

How long is it?

It is a 48-page printable PDF. Suggested teaching time: 1 Week.

Are answer keys included?

Yes. Answer keys are included.

Do students need their own copy of Bud, Not Buddy?

Yes. This is an independent supplemental resource and does not include the text of Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis, so students need their own copy.

How do I get this resource?

It is sold on Teachers Pay Teachers ($3.00) as a PDF download. Use the Buy on TpT button on this page.