The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963

Curtis, C. P. (1995). The Watsons go to Birmingham, 1963. New York: Delacorte.

Kenny lives in Flint, Michigan in the 1960’s with his Dad, Mom, older brother Byron, and younger sister Joetta. Kenny’s view of his family and friends are often humorous and many time touching. Bryan’s role in the family is the “juvenile delinquent” and he makes one mistake too many and his parents decide to take him to Birmingham, Alabama to spend the summer with his grandmother to straighten him out. In Michigan, the family is removed from the extreme racial inequalities that rage throughout the South. The Watson’s arrive in Birmingham during the beginning of the Civil Rights movement. While they are there, Kenny witnesses the bombing of a church and the innocent death of children.

This historical novel is told through Kenny’s fourth grade perspective giving the book a thought-provoking insight into his school life and family dynamics. The Watsons Go to Birmingham would be wonderful for students fourth grade and up. The focus of a strong family unit that survives even with all the ups and downs of life is very touching. The book's light hearted tone changes when Kenny struggles for a long time to make sense of the terrible things he has seen and why people hate because the color of someone's skin. 

2009 Coretta Scott King Honor Award

2009 Newberry Honor Book