What did Bud carry in his suitcase and why were those items important to him?

Bud carries around several important items in his suitcase throughout the novel. These items are significant to Bud because they remind him of his mother who passed away when he was six, and he believes they are clues that will lead him to his biological father. Bud carries around five flyers that depict Herman E. Calloway, a famous musician, and his band performing at various locations. Bud believes that Herman E. Calloway is his biological father. Bud also carries around a picture of his mother wearing a gigantic cowboy hat, while she is sitting on a small horse. Bud keeps this photo of his mother in an envelope and recalls why she looks so sad in the photo. Bud also keeps five rocks that belonged to his mother in a brown tobacco bag. These rocks have locations and dates written on them. The rocks come from places where Herman E. Calloway has performed. At the end of the novel, Bud learns that Herman's daughter asked him to bring back a rock when he went to play a concert out of town one day. Ever since, Herman has collected a rock at each place that he plays. Bud uses these items to guide him to Grands Rapids where he meets his grandfather, Herman E. Calloway.