# Bucking the Sarge

**Author:** Christopher Paul Curtis
**Grade range:** Grades 4–9
**First published:** 2009
**Page count:** 290
**Genre:** Children's
**ISBN-13:** `9780307567253`
**ISBN-10:** `0307567257`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/bucking-the-sarge
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this 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., Luth

## Where this book is assigned

### Golden Kite Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade — [source: Golden Kite Award (SCBWI) winners, via Wikipedia — 2005 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Kite_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade — [source: Golden Kite Award (SCBWI) winners, via Wikipedia — 2005 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Kite_Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade — [source: Golden Kite Award (SCBWI) winners, via Wikipedia — 2005 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Kite_Award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade — [source: Golden Kite Award (SCBWI) winners, via Wikipedia — 2005 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Kite_Award)
- **recommended** · 8th grade — [source: Golden Kite Award (SCBWI) winners, via Wikipedia — 2005 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Kite_Award)
- **recommended** · 9th grade — [source: Golden Kite Award (SCBWI) winners, via Wikipedia — 2005 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Kite_Award)

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