| The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 634 reviews)
Sales Rank: 13057
Category: Book
Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Studio: Laurel Leaf
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
Label: Laurel Leaf
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.7
ISBN: 044022800X
EAN: 9780440228004
ASIN: 044022800X
Publication Date: December 12, 2000
Release Date: December 12, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
A wonderful middle-grade novel narrated by Kenny, 9, about his middle-class black family, the WeirdWatsons of Flint, Michigan. When Kenny's13-year-old brother, Byron, gets to be too much trouble,they head South to Birmingham to visit Grandma, theone person who can shape him up. And they happen tobe in Birmingham when Grandma's church is blownup.
Amazon.com Review
The year is 1963, and self-important Byron Watson is the bane of his younger brother Kenny's existence. Constantly in trouble for one thing or another, from straightening his hair into a "conk" to lighting fires to freezing his lips to the mirror of the new family car, Byron finally pushes his family too far. Before this "official juvenile delinquent" can cut school or steal change one more time, Momma and Dad finally make good on their threat to send him to the deep south to spend the summer with his tiny, strict grandmother. Soon the whole family is packed up, ready to make the drive from Flint, Michigan, straight into one of the most chilling moments in America's history: the burning of the Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church with four little girls inside. Christopher Paul Curtis's alternately hilarious and deeply moving novel, winner of the Newbery Honor and the Coretta Scott King Honor, blends the fictional account of an African American family with the factual events of the violent summer of 1963. Fourth grader Kenny is an innocent and sincere narrator; his ingenuousness lends authenticity to the story and invites readers of all ages into his world, even as it changes before his eyes. Curtis is also the acclaimed author of Bud, Not Buddy, winner of the Newbery Medal. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter
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| Customer Reviews: Read 629 more reviews...
 Surprise! November 16, 2008
SO much better than I expected! The dialogue flowed very well and the characters were all highly realistic. There were some nitpicky things I disliked, though. I think the title was misleading, since they didn't actually go to Birmingham until very late in the story, and to me, it's not the biggest part of the story. (Maybe it should have just been titled 'The Watsons'? Their familial bonds are what the story is about to me.) Another thing that bothered me was the first page, too many similes and metaphors. This is not continued in the rest of the book, and is also doesn't sound like a ten year old child speaking at all. I did love the chapter titles, though. They were very conversational and informal, exactly what you'd expect from a ten year old like Kenny. The plot was great, until the ending. That was the most abrupt ending I've ever had to read. The story was flowing so well, and then, poof, you never actually find out what happens to Byron and the rest of the Watsons. Kind of a disappointment, which is why I'm only rating the story 4/5.
 The Watsons Go Birmingham November 4, 2008
The Watsons go to Birmingham
The Watsons go to Birmingham is about a family that moves to Michigan from Alabama. Its 7 below zero there and they are mad at the dad for making them move there because its 70 where they used to live.
I would suggest this book for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders for racial comments, cursing, and the reading level. This author really lived through this story and it was pretty much true. This is when people judged people by there color.
You should read this book for more info. It's worth your time to read about your history.
Good book with hilarious scenes November 4, 2008
The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963 was a good book with some hilarious scenes. I think that Byron was the funniest in the whole book. The things that he did would almost make you laugh out loud. The first incident he had was that he was kissing himself in the mirror of their car called the brown bomber. It was cold so his lips got stuck to it. He also bullies his little brother named "Kenny" and some of the ways he does it is funny. He told Kenny that they picked up frozen people in the garbage trucks. He said that because Joetta kept griping because she wears so many clothes and she does not want to. He also tells Kenny there is something called a wool pooh that kills people by drowning them. The Wool Pooh is not real and it is really just a whirl pool. If you're looking for a funny book, this is one I recommend you read.
Trip Back In Time November 4, 2008
The novel "The Watson's Go to Birmingham 1963" is wonderful. The time setting of the book is in the early 1960's, during the Civil Rights Movement. The two places where most of the events take place are in Flint, Michigan and Birmingham, Alabama. There are five main characters and they are: Kenny, Byron, and Joeta Watson, and Kenny's mom and dad. Kenny is a good kind and smart kid. His brother, Byron, on the other hand, is a punk who is always in trouble and has failed several grades. Joeta, Kenny's little sister, is six years old and very gullible. Kenny's mom is strict but kind. Kenny's dad is a typical dad. He means business, but still goofs off from time to time. They are all in the same family.
One chapter that I really liked was titled "Nazi Parachutes Invade the Flint River but get Shot Down by Cpt. Byron Watson and his Flame Thrower of Death". One morning Byron goes into the bathroom with army men and matches. Kenny watches what Byron does through a key hole and sees that Byron is dropping army men with toilet paper parachutes that are lit on fire. Byron had already done similar things. When their mom finds out, she grabs Byron and goes to burn his fingers. Joeta blows out the matches every time until their mother stops.
In my opinion, "The Watson's go to Birmingham 1963" is a very good and funny novel that I strongly advise reading.
This book is the best! November 3, 2008
When I read this book it was hard to put it down! From Kenny who is very talented for his age to Byron(By)who tries to act all cool to their little sister Joetta(Joey)who is very different for a young child things are very crazy sometimes. Their dad,Daniel, acts like a clown when he knows people are watching him. He is from Flint the town they now live in. Their mom,Wilona,is a very calm person when she wants to be and sometimes she is kind of a drama queen.She is originally from Birmingham. When they all go to Birmingham they listen to music on their recently bought record player and take adventures!
If you decide to get this book I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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