The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

Bibliography
Curtis, Christopher Paul. 1997. THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM - 1963. New York: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 0440414121

Plot Summary
In this humorous book about the Watson’s, readers will see the typical interactions and routines of an African-American family living in Flint, Michigan. This will all drastically change when the family goes to visit Grandma in Alabama in the summer of 1963 to drop off the “official juvenile,” Bryon. In the cleaned up Ultra-Glide, the family will have a trip like no other, including being a part of one of the saddest moments in history.

Critical Analysis
Curtis uses a good mixture of drama and humor to write this unforgettable novel of the Weird Watson’s. Starting the story off on a very cold morning in their home in Flint, Michigan we can see comic features this book is going to have. Telling the story from a ten year old boy named Kenny, the middle brother; we get a creative story with a true understanding of all the characters.

All through, readers will see how a family’s closeness helps get them through the good and bad times. Like the decision to take Byron, the oldest son, who is an “official juvenile,” to Alabama to spend time with his grandmother to straighten up his bad behavior. Through the adventures, readers will laugh at events like Bryon getting his lips stuck to glass and cry when Joetta faces a bombing at a local church. From the beginning to the end, Curtis will show how African-Americans faced challenges of discrimination during the 60’s.

Review Excerpts
Newbery Honor Book
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Ribald humor, sly sibling digs, and a totally believable child's view of the world will make this book an instant hit”
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: “The spectrum of emotions from comedy to tragedy make this a worthy Newbery Honor Book, 1996.”

Connections
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