Bud not Buddy

Bud as the main character is preoccupied with his survival, as are the other people on the fringes of his story. For some, survival means simply food and shelter; for others it is work, labor activism, or even retaining one's dignity. Bud's survival is finding a home and remaining true to himself while navigating a world that can be confusing and tough. When Bud makes a list of rules for his own conduct, he demonstrates his will to survive. In making the list he brings together what he's learned from the past and commits to using this experience to help him navigate and survive in the future. It may initially seem amusing or childish, but at its core, it is indeed a survival manual that adults could no doubt benefit from as well.