The Watsons go to Birmingham

Curtis, C. P. (1995). The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963. NY: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers.  

Summary:

This historical fiction novel is told by Kenny, the middle child of the Watson family as he narrates the family's trip to the south to visit Grandma Sands after older brother,Byron finds  himself in trouble back at home. The Watson's travel from their home in Flint, Michigan where the rules of society and different from what they endure in the South. In the South, Kenny experiences racism, segregation, and has to learn to deal with the aftermath of a church bombing. 

Evaluative Criteria:

Enter ten year old, Kenny Watson, the narrator of The Watson’s Go to Birmingham.  Kenny opens the story by describing the characters of the novel who happen to be his family.  Daniel (father) Wilona (mother) Byron or By (older brother) and Joetta or Joey (younger sister). The Watson’s live a typically average life during the winter in Flint, Michigan in 1963. The beginning plot builds upon the fact that the mom, Wilona complains about the freezing temperatures they are living in and older brother Byron begins to act up and finds himself in some trouble. His parents decide that Byron should spend the summer or an entire year with Wilona’s mother- Grandmother Sands in Birmingham, Alabama. In the novel, the Watson’s travel to Birmingham  when segregation and the Civil Rights Movement are present. The novel appeals to readers because they may not realize that they are receiving a history lesson about the church bombings that took place at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. Curtis does a great job at comparing and showing readers the changes in the attitudes and behaviors of the characters as they are far from racial tensions in Flint that they now must adjust to in Birmingham. The characters use phrases that accurately depict the 60’s and are relatable and powerful in that readers are able to see how the events in Birmingham have left an impact on their lives in the story and enjoy the good natured, family unit they are. Curtis gives readers an epilogue to help explain the bombings described in the novel that occurred in Birmingham, Alabama. He also explains certain important figures and their contribution to the Civil Rights Movement and leaves readers feeling as if they had experienced the events themselves.

Lesson Plan Resource