Curtis is a versatile writer, not one to develop a formula. The plot of his first novel, The Watson's Go to Birmingham—1963, is episodic in nature. Each chapter is a novella of the Watson family's doings that moves the story foreword to its poignant and dramatic conclusion. In contrast, the plot for Bud, Not Buddy is linear in form with the young protagonist moving from one event to another with a developing goal in mind and eventual achievement of that goal. Both stories, however, are universal in their portrayal of family interactions, characters, and events.

Curtis is also a master of language.

Throughout the story delightful examples of onomatopoeia tickle the tongue and activate the funny bone as inanimate objects spring to life. Parked cars grumble, "wugga, wugga, wugga." High heels go "tap, tap, tappity." Idling trains murmur "shuh, shuh, shuh." Grown men cry "muh-huh...