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The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

3.91 of 5 stars 3.91 · rating details · 20,420 ratings · 1,649 reviews

A wonderful middle-grade novel narrated by Kenny, 9, about his middle-class black family, the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan. When Kenny's 13-year-old brother, Byron, gets to be too much trouble, they head South to Birmingham to visit Grandma, the one person who can shape him up. And they happen to be in Birmingham when Grandma's church is blown up.

Hardcover, 224 pages

Published September 1st 1995 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

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Jul 13, 2007 Stephanie Brown rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The plot is simple: 10-year-old Kenny (the narrator) has a loving family: a mom and dad, a little sister (Joetta), and a big, tough brother (Byron). Byron starts getting into typical teenage trouble. Kenny's parents decide to take the family on a road trip to visit grandmom in Alabama. They figure she can straighten Byron out with some old-school discipline.

During the family's visit, a church is bombed and 4 little girls are killed (taken from the historical Sixteenth Street Baptist Church that...more

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Jan 26, 2009 Andrea rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I stayed up super late finishing The Watsons Go to Brimingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis, and I can’t stop thinking about it. I can’t tell you how artful I thought it was… well, let me try.

First, I have a big problem with history (so much so that it is truly embarrassing) and I always have had this problem —I need to know the people and stories behind the events to remember anything. I also have a big problem with reading historical fiction. It often seems so “fixed”—--"Tell some story arou...more I stayed up super late finishing The Watsons Go to Brimingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis, and I can’t stop thinking about it. I can’t tell you how artful I thought it was… well, let me try.

First, I have a big problem with history (so much so that it is truly embarrassing) and I always have had this problem —I need to know the people and stories behind the events to remember anything. I also have a big problem with reading historical fiction. It often seems so “fixed”—--"Tell some story around the facts you want to present!" I want to read a story that is a story before it is about any time period or historical events. I have to get to know history from the inside out, and that is just what this great book allows me to do—through all my own strengths: feelings, nuances, humor, imagination….through story. I will never forget these characters. They are people I know. Character development is paramount in this book. It is their growth that pulls the story along, not events. Best of all, it is an enjoyable ride.

I am not quite sure how Curtis crafted such a lovely book. It is in his storytelling. I don’t doubt for a moment any word on any page. I was especially touched by the ideas that could have only come from some childhood somewhere because they were, so oddly, kid. So many of his ideas must have come from some childhood he did know intimately. They seem impossible to make up because they are so perfectly how children’s minds work, like the Watson’s pet hospital behind the couch. Some kids must have invented that idea! Did Curtis really create these ideas?! Also, the idea of the Wool Pooh. That is just how a kid interprets (or misinterprets) things…and how it becomes a real entity in his mind. The way Kenny plays with his friends with the dinosaurs and they talk about the “radioactiveness” and the looking sideways at things so his lazy eye looked straight. All these little things that TELL the story, and tell the characters, and make it so real.

The big question is: How can what he writes ring so true to me, someone who has known no life such as this. That is his everyman secret. Curtis just tells his story; he disappears and the characters lead you through by the hand. It is seamless. You never doubt for a moment, or “come out of it” and become self-aware that you are just reading a book… or wonder “why?” or ask if that sounds realistic. Curtis never “narrates.” His voice is one with the story. You never hear him. We experience for ourselves each character’s emotional struggles by being in the story ourselves. I was so involved with every thought Kenny had, they were my own thoughts. He doesn’t tell us Kenny was depressed…Kenny doesn’t know what he, himself, is feeling! We just feel it sink into us. You just absorb this book. In this way, this book is almost like a poem, or a ballad, or a song. You have to just experience it. You have to experience their family life. And if you never had a family before, this book would show you what family is (—that abstract part you can’t put your finger on)…just by how it feels. Sure it is rough, sure it is messy, but each character is imperfectly perfect, and… it is what it is.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 is immediately one of my all-time favorite books now. And for all those reasons that are hard to define in words. I like that it has no feeling of tidiness, of preconceieved ideas of how to tell a story, with no real beginning or end of a story. You just enter into it as the Watsons are living their lives. It has no clean little moral or happy ever after or lesson learned, or plotted-out literary devices and tie-up-the-loose-ends conclusion. That is how a real story is. That is how life is. We just enter it, and it unfolds. That is part of the fluidity of this book. The seamless, unselfconscious telling of a story that just tells itself. Simply, it is artful.

The book fits the (vague) Newberry criteria just fine; it fits the Coretta Scottt King criteria exceptionally well. The book does indeed help the reader to question and understand his own attitudes as a citizen of a pluralistic society, and includes well drawn characters that portray growth.

Thank you, Christopher Paul Curtis.
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Mar 08, 2013 Adam Wilson marked it as to-read · review of another edition

This is the only other novel I have read by Curtis and I enjoyed it even more than Bud, Not Buddy. I did not have to read this one in school so I had to track it down myself. I remember listening to the audio version at age eleven or twelve and loving the Watsons and all of their random adventures. The first incident, the one where the elder brother gets his lips stuck to a car mirror in winter because he was kissing his reflection, is one of my favorite moments in fiction so far. The brothers t...more

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Apr 02, 2010 CLM rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to CLM by: Elizabeth Bird

Shelves: childrensbooks, historicalfiction, 20th-century

Although not a book I would have picked up as a child except as a school assignment, I enjoyed this story of a black family in 60s Michigan, driving to visit relatives in Birmingham, Alabama just before the infamous bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. The parents were as well drawn as narrator Kenny and his siblings, and I cared about what would happen to them when they reached the deep South (I feared the worst, knowing as an adult what the year was, which I might not have known as...more

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Mar 14, 2009 Karrie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: award-winning-books, newbery-winner, reluctant-readers, middle-school-books, humorous

I'm going to date myself here -- I was 3 when the The Watsons went to Birmingham in 1963. Our country was in a state of transition and chaos between the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. I learned quite a bit from this wonderful book about this time, and it was from a different perspective than my own circumstances. Blacks were subject to prejudice, President Kennedy was assassinated in November, and people were protesting the war. Hippies were finding peace and love on communes and at...more I'm going to date myself here -- I was 3 when the The Watsons went to Birmingham in 1963. Our country was in a state of transition and chaos between the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. I learned quite a bit from this wonderful book about this time, and it was from a different perspective than my own circumstances. Blacks were subject to prejudice, President Kennedy was assassinated in November, and people were protesting the war. Hippies were finding peace and love on communes and at concerts, but there was unrest all over the rest of the country.

The Watson Family, a Black family living a normal life in Flint, MI, were beginning to feel the affects of the Civil Rights movement. The narrator of the story, Kenny had an older brother, Bryon, who was in trouble all the time, and his sister, Jo, was trying desperately to protect Byron from the wrath of her parents. This is a wonderful story about a loving family, living in a world of chaos. They are good people and they want what's best for their children. The story is told from the perspective of Kenny, the middle child.

Despite the drama surrounding the Watson family and the country at large, the story of this family is heart-warming and funny. The two brothers spar with one another, get into trouble together and find moments when they get along. Without revealing too much of this delightful book, I will say that I highly recommend it. I laughed out loud and felt tears sting my eyes at different places in the book. This book tells the story of a family trying to live a peaceful and happy life, all the while surrounded by changing times and intolerance towards Black people.

The family travels from Flint to Birmingham in the hope of depositing Bryon with his maternal grandmother so she can straighten out his bad-boy behavior. They believe that life is less dangerous there, only to find out that danger is all around them and family is precious.

The Watsons Go To Birmingham -- 1965 has won as many at least 13 literary awards (http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/di...), all with varying criteria. I am not surprised -- this was a thoroughly enjoyable, informative and captivating book.

I highly recommend this book as a historical fiction book. Even if kids don't need to read it for a book report, this story will survive the test of time and will be around for generations. Don't miss this book!

Original Musings about this book:
Actually, I'm listening to this on my to and from work, and am thoroughly entertained by it. Perhaps it's the reader (Lavar Burton) who is so amusing because the story isn't silly or even light-hearted so far. It's a very realistic portrayal of a young boy and his family, living in Flint, MI. I look forward to the drive each day just so I can listen to Kenny's story.(less)

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Jul 12, 2007 Monica rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I would highly recommend this book to students and adults alike. This book was above all, a very funny read. The summary of the novel does not prepare you for the fact that about 60% of the book takes place before the family even leaves to go on the road trip to Birmingham. While there is no shortage of funny situations, the majority of the book is just that—recounting the funny things that go on between siblings and parents within a family—situations that do not always fit clearly into the plot...more

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Dec 18, 2012 Nick Hicks rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Watsons are a loving, funny family who live in Flint, Michigan in the early 1960's. When the oldest brother, Byron, continues down the path to trouble, his parents decide to take him to stay with his strict grandmother in Birmingham, Alabama. The entire family goes on the long trip, and while they are in Birmingham, a church is bombed, killing several children. Kenny, the middle child, is traumatized by what he sees, and takes a while to recover, with the help of his big brother, Byron.
Kenny...more

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Jul 20, 2012 Stacey rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When my 10 year old says, "Mom, you HAVE to read this!" and checks my progress, it melts my heart. I'm only a few pages in, but I'm wondering why my 5th grade teacher didn't offer great books(or any for that matter) for us to read!

This truly is YA. It's full of adolescent antics, lights up the importance of family and told the story of an incident that happened in Birmingham '63. It's an important read for kids and provided the opportunity to talk about the Civil Rights Movement.

My favorite part...more

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Jan 26, 2009 sMarty rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I am reading this book for my English class, and I have found the book to be amusing at points, but annoying at others. This book is supposed to be humorous, but most of the time just doesn't do its job with that. The book loves to use the phrase "You might as well tie him/her up to a tree and say ready aim fire" way too much besides these parts the book does have a pretty good story line, and gets interesting when they head to Birmingham, Alabama in 1963 where there are a lot of racial problems...more

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Sep 17, 2008 Stephanie Jeanneret rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Genre: historical fiction
Grades: 3-6

This is a book about a family that lives in Michigan; their mother is use to being in Alabama where it is warm. There are two boys and a girl. The oldest boy, Byron is a troublemaker, he is always doing something to get in trouble, not only at home but also at school. The little sister Joetta always stands up for Byron not wanting him to get in trouble. Kenneth the middle child also gets picked on Byron, at home and at school. Kenneth is the boy who not only...more

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Feb 17, 2011 Jalison lambarria rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is a very funny book because in the part were I am reading right now the big brother got his lips stuck on to a mirror. I can make a text-to-self connection that I have got stuck on to a mirror before but i didn't get my lips stuck I got my tongue to it. I can predict that in the title it say "The Watsons go to Birmingham" that they might go to Birmingham because it warmer there.

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Nov 29, 2008 Anna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is probably my favorite book of all time. It had every element that I love in a book. It was hilarious with great descriptions, and at the same time it was powerful and thoughtful.

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Dec 12, 2012 Patrick Allen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I can guarantee two things in my life: that I will likely be teaching overseas (I want to work for DOD schools), and that I will use this in my classroom if I am not teaching in the South. Much of the work for a teacher is the distribution of information, but this is not the only thing we must do. We must also destroy misperceptions caused by false or insufficient information. Some cases of this are necessary: racism, bigotry, misogyny, and the like. But what about misperceptions of regional dif...more I can guarantee two things in my life: that I will likely be teaching overseas (I want to work for DOD schools), and that I will use this in my classroom if I am not teaching in the South. Much of the work for a teacher is the distribution of information, but this is not the only thing we must do. We must also destroy misperceptions caused by false or insufficient information. Some cases of this are necessary: racism, bigotry, misogyny, and the like. But what about misperceptions of regional differences? How can a teacher deconstruct a prejudice that is not even viewed as a prejudice? For a teacher who is trying to impart that there is more to the South than the civil war and racism this can be a difficult thing, as perceptions from the past are hard to overcome to this day with adults, much less students. This is where “The Watsons go to Birmingham,” comes in. This family is going to that same South that students cling to in their minds eye – a deeply troubled place where hate and violence are still very much the order of the day. How then does this help a teacher overcome regional prejudices? Because these same perceptions are then confronted by events in the novel and deconstructed by the characters themselves. The silence of the parents in this work about the major event – the church bombing – is very telling, and a great representation of the social discomfort that often attends discussions of this subject matter. And the fact that it is children who resolve their own mental inability to process the events of the bombing can be a great point to start class discussion about what allows prejudices to stand to this day. A teacher could easily use the silence and discomfort of the parents as a contrast to the openness and truthfulness of the children (who are able to come to terms with the bombing because of their openness about it) to show students that shining a light on such injustice is the only way to prevent it, and prevent prejudice of any sort.(less)

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Dec 08, 2012 Damarcus Henley rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book takes place in Flint, Michigan during the civil rights movement and is a story about a boy Kenny narrating a story of his family. He lives with his dad, mom, older brother Byron and younger sister Joetta. The book describes their life and events that occur day to day. Within the story, Byron eventually befriends a bad kid in town and his behavior starts to decline. He gets caught playing with matches and after being told several times not to, that was the last straw. He was to stay wit...more

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Jan 22, 2009 Hiram Alexander rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

We read this book in our eighth grade ELA class with Mrs. Castillo. At first I was kind of 'eh' about the book but as we read it, I found that I was wrong and that the book was really good! The way the humor ties into the book is so real as well as the racism and struggles of an African American family. This book is really great and I recommend it to everyone who likes to know a bit about history with a touch of fiction tied into it. I really like the book and it's just a really great read and I...more

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Jan 22, 2009 Patty.soto57 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Name: Patty Soto School: Tywls

Title of Book: The Watson Go to Birmingham-1968
Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
Independent Reading Book
Who was the author of this book? Tell me about her/him? Christopher Paul Curtis was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. After completing high school, he spent the next thirteen years working at Flint's historic Fisher Body Plant on the assembly line. Curtis began keeping a journal while at work to record specific events during the day. While working, he began d...more Name: Patty Soto School: Tywls

Title of Book: The Watson Go to Birmingham-1968
Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
Independent Reading Book
Who was the author of this book? Tell me about her/him? Christopher Paul Curtis was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. After completing high school, he spent the next thirteen years working at Flint's historic Fisher Body Plant on the assembly line. Curtis began keeping a journal while at work to record specific events during the day. While working, he began drafting The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963. A lot of the story parts and situations came from direct experience with his job.

What is the book about? Give a Summary?
They're called Weird Watsons, and sometimes Kenny, Joetta, and delinquent big brother Byron, deserve the name, like when Byron gets his lips frozen to a car mirror while he's practicing kissing. But when they visit Grandma Sands in Birmingham, they head into a nightmare. At first hilarious, but by the end devastatingly powerful, Curtis's first novel packs a terrific punch. Ten-year-old Kenny introduces readers to his family; his parents, little sister Joetta, and tough, cool, delinquent-wannabe Byron. When Byron's antics escalate, though they are mild by today's standards, his parents decide he needs a dose of the iron hand of Grandma Sands. So they load up the car and head off to Birmingham for the summer. Humorous incidents abound, but when the Watsons arrive in Alabama, they find themselves caught up in something far more serious than dealing with a mildly delinquent adolescent. Racists bomb Grandma Sand's church, and Kenny's little sister is feared dead. Kenny, who witnessed what happened, sinks into depression and believes that only magic, can heal him. But when his parents don't know how to help him, he finds comfort in the words of the person he least expected.

Who should read this book? Why?
Anyone should this book. It’s a good read and people would really enjoy it. It’s a awesome read and just spending some time reading it would make you keep reading it. You would be hooked on it and continue reading. It has its ups and downs and I really enjoyed reading this book. This book is based on the life of a black family in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement. The book is narrated by one of the young family members, Kenny.
What was your reaction to the book?
My reaction of reading the story was funny and shocking. Some parts in the story are funny, I mean funny like you be laughing yourself while reading. Kind of creepy people would say. I felt like this because I couldn't believe when Byron gets his lips frozen to a car mirror. That was funny and I kept reading and I found out he put his lips on the car because he was practicing kissing.

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May 13, 2013 Samantha rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, african-american, alabama, michigan, audio-books, civil-rights

A middle grade historical novel about an African American family living in Flint, MI. The story is narrated by the middle child, a boy named Kenny. His family is known as the Weird Watsons and through selective stories Kenny reveals some of the reasons why they have come to be known as such.

The oldest son, named Byron, has gotten into more than his fair share of trouble and his parents think that a visit down south to Alabama might straighten him out. The family packs up their car and heads on w...more

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May 04, 2013 Eduarda rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thought the message of racial problems going on in the US at the time was strong and overall good. However, the story seemed very dragged out at the beginning and the jokes used were pushed too much, losing the complete sense of humour in the novel for me. I did, in fact, absolutely love the near ending when protagonist Kenny is confused about what exactly took place at the time of the church bombing that his sister was involved with. I loved the way Curtis described Kenny's thoughts and how h...more

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May 01, 2013 Megan Pando rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is one of my absolute favorite children's novels so far. It is very impressive how the author can touch very serious topics in his books and still manage to keep the tone of the story lighthearted. There are some parts in the story that will make the reader laugh and other parts that will make them cry.

The story is about an African- American family that lives in Michigan during troubled times. There was still allot of racism in the 1960's during the time period in which their story tak...more

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Apr 25, 2013 David rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In the book The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis really shows great humor before one of the darkest times put most most progressive in America history. During this time period is when the civil rights movement started to take action like never before in America. We have Rosa Park, Cesar Chavez, Malcom X, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. but of course there is a lot more people who helped shape America. But this book is about childhood story of maybe all middle class or lo...more

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Apr 24, 2013 Diamond Riddick rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963
Book Review

Reading about the weird Watsons is no joke. Ok maybe it is. They stay funny and calm during their hard situations. Overall I give this book 4 stars. It is an attention grabber throughout the entire book.

The book is very relatable, and gives strong family values. First, is Daniel Watson the dad, he is the breadwinner, and a fun loving father. Second, is Wilona Watson the mom, She runs the household. Joetta is the youngest and only girl. She cares...more

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Apr 22, 2013 Amber Lewis rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reading-like-a-writer

The Watson's Go to Birmingham was one of the first books I truly enjoyed reading for pleasure, despite it being assigned as a mandatory read from my 7th grade teacher. It had been over ten years since I read this book, so I thought it would be a great choice to read again, this time looking at it through the eyes of a writer. As I read the book, I noticed how well the author Christopher Paul Curtis used the writer's craft.

One of the ways he expressed craft in this book was with the use of proper...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Leslie Bardo rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

The Watsons Go to Birmingham is a charming young adult book set in the 1960s. Before reading it, I assumed that the book would include a lot more information and a storyline centered around racial tension, but it did not. It was mostly a set of hysterical short stories that a 9-year old, named Kenny, narrates. The storyline centers around an African American family of 5 with 2 parents and 3 children, which are in birth order: Byron, Kenny, and Joetta. Some stories are hilarious (ex. Byron's lips...more

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Apr 07, 2013 Rui Wen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Watsons Go to Birmingham is a historical fiction book about Kenny, a 9 year old African American boy, and his family, the Watsons. Kenny has an obnoxious brother, a little sister, a mom and dad. They're family is very close and humorous. But Kenny's brother, Byron gets into so much trouble that their parents decide to send him to grandma's, so that she can shape him up. During the family's visit at grandma's, the church that their grandma goes to gets blown up. This refers to the event that...more

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Mar 31, 2013 Teresa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was the first novel written by this author, and though I liked it, I liked his Bud, Not Buddy, especially its narratorial voice, more.

Though most of this story is told in a lighthearted way as we learn about this family, the beginning was almost hard for me to read with its matter-of-fact depiction of the bullying that the narrator and his friend receive, as he wonders why bullies are the ones who can be so funny. The ending is exquisite as it depicts the narrator's mental state after a tr...more

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Mar 28, 2013 Andrea Carter rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction-group-1

The book ‘The Watson’s Go To Birmingham’ follows the “Weird Watsons” and their journey of sending the eldest son, Byron, to live with his Grandma in Alabama for the summer. During this visit Byron sees firsthand the type of chaos and racism in the midst of the civil rights movement. In my opinion, one of the main parts in the book was when there was a church bombing at Grandma Sand’s church.
Kenny who is the middle child of the “Weird Watsons” and who is often bullied is the narrator of the book...more

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Mar 28, 2013 Emily Calzi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Christoper Paul Curtis captures the true colors and terrors of racism in America during the Civil Rights movement through his historical fiction novel, The Watsons Go to Birmingham. This novel is informative and entertaining with an easy-to-read style of writing. Told from the perspective of Kenny (middle child), we are immediately introduced to the "Weird Watsons" from Flint, Michigan and see the family huddled up as close as they can to stay warm. Despite struggles like this, Curtis uses humo...more Christoper Paul Curtis captures the true colors and terrors of racism in America during the Civil Rights movement through his historical fiction novel, The Watsons Go to Birmingham. This novel is informative and entertaining with an easy-to-read style of writing. Told from the perspective of Kenny (middle child), we are immediately introduced to the "Weird Watsons" from Flint, Michigan and see the family huddled up as close as they can to stay warm. Despite struggles like this, Curtis uses humor to get the family through these hard times. The characters are described in great detail in the first portion of the novel, to the point that I felt a connection with them. Byron, the oldest son, is a trouble maker and becomes so rebellious that the family decides the best plan of action is to move South to live with Grandma, who is the only one who can set Byron straight. Grandma lived in the heart of Alabama where racism was the most intense. A dramatic shift in the story takes place when the Watsons move, where the reader is exposed to a most horrendous and hateful crime. The Watsons Grandmother's church, predominately African American, was bombed by white activists killing four little girls and injuring a few more. What was most frightening to the Watsons was that they believed their own, Joetta (youngest child), was killed in the bombing. Joetta was attending Sunday school and was luckily able to escape before the terrifying event took place. Although the family is relieved to find out that Joetta is okay and safe, they were still devastated by the tragedy. Kenny experienced extreme difficulties in trying to understand why the bombing took place and what kind of person would commit such a crime. We see a shift of character in Byron as he tries to comfort his younger brother and help him understand what happened. Unable to live happily in Alabama, the family eventually moves back home. Never would they forget what happened, strengthening the connection and relationships between the Watsons.

The photographs on the cover really set the tone for the novel, depicting different scenes and characters. The chapter's titles allowed for a little bit of foreshadowing, hinting to what was about to happen.

This novel would be appropriate for mature elementary students and middle school students. It is written in a style that is interesting and enjoyable, but at the same time educational. The topics presented in this novel are important for children to be exposed to and learn about early on. It would be great to use as an introduction to the civil rights movement. I enjoyed this book and would recommend all children of the appropriate age to read it.

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Mar 05, 2013 Marissa Kohlrenken rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Weird Watsons Drive Straight into Your Heart!
This was an amazing book from the first page to the last. Readers have the opportunity to become a member of the Watson family and view life through the eyes of young Kenny Watson. He is a smart, funny, witty, and kind 10 year old boy. He struggles a lot with bullying, especially from his older brother Byron. Byron is a teenager and often finds himself in tons of trouble. Kenny’s parents decide the best way to handle Byron is to send him to Grandm...more

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Mar 04, 2013 Paigezettneryahoo.com rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Watsons go to Birmingham is a creative book that keeps you wanting to read more. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and I think others will too, however, I think this book is aimed more towards the middle-school aged crowd. I loved the way Kenny, the child who is narrating the book, talks and the way he thinks throughout the book. Kenny's older brother, Byron, is one of my favorite characters. He plays the role of your typical young teenage boy, who is trying to live their own life and have fun, while...more

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Mar 02, 2013 Christina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I did not like this book too much, although it did grab my attention every now and then. I felt there was too much mumbo jumbo, I would lose focus on the book often. I felt the author elaborated too much on certain point, it was absolutely unnecessary. I didn’t really like the bullying because it was talked about a lot in the beginning. I did like how it’s in a child’s point of view so you get to see exactly why and how they are thinking. *SPOILER ALERT* I felt some parts were detailed too much,...more

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About Christopher Paul Curtis

Curtis was born in Flint, Michigan on May 10, 1953 to Dr. Herman Elmer Curtis, a chiropodist, and Leslie Jane Curtis, an educator. The city of Flint plays an important role in many of Curtis's books. One such example is Bucking the Sarge, which is about a fifteen year old boy named Luther T. Ferrel, who is in a running battle with his slum-lord mother. Curtis is an alumnus of the University of Mic...more

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“There's one good thing about getting in trouble: It seems like you do it in steps. It seems like you don't just end up in trouble but that you kind of ease yourself into it. It also seems like the worse the trouble is that you get into, the more steps it takes to get there. Sort of like you're getting a bunch of little warnings on the way; sort of like if you really wanted to you could turn around.” — 7 people liked it

“Wow. Who would want a fish for a pet when they could have a turtle?!” — 6 people liked it

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title link	preview: The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963
avg rating	preview: The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 Goodreads rating: 3.91 (20420 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/526199.The_Watsons_Go_to_Birmingham_1963?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320395674l/526199.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/526199.The_Watsons_Go_to_Birmingham_1963?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis[/url]

The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

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