There are several literary elements in Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis.

Characterization is a strong element in portraying this young boy who has lived unhappily in foster care since his mother died. He is portrayed as a resourceful, determined and funny youngster. His humorous take on life, including his rules, make the story more entertaining, while allowing a reader from any age to identify with the impediments that keep him from finding his "father."

The other most important element is the setting. Taking place during the Great Depression, the author provides not only information regarding this time in history, but also the plight of orphaned children, families struggling to stay together, the massive movement of the unemployed willing to face violence to find work to support themselves and their families, and something that also exemplifies the more difficult plight of a black person in America during this time. While the Depression knocks thousands of people to their knees, the blacks have a more difficult time; jobs were more likely to go to white males than black males.