1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Curtis, Christopher Paul. 1995. THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM-1963. New York, New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group Inc. ISBN 0385321759
2. PLOT SUMMARY
THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM-1963 is told through the entertaining world of a ten-year-old boy named Kenny Watson. Kenny and his family are from Flint, Michigan. Kenny’s family includes his Momma, Dad, Joetta, and Bryon. Bryon is considered the family’s “official Juvenile delinquent.” When Bryon gets into trouble for the very last time, his parents decide to take a road trip with him and the other family members to Grandma’s Sands house in Birmingham, Alabama. This begins a trip for the Watson’s that brings the full thrust of the Civil Rights Movement to the forefront. The Watson’s family journey will be one filled with tragedy, humor, and realism.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The setting for THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM-1963 is during the Civil Rights Movement. The story takes place in two cities. The two cities are the Watson’s hometown Of Flint, Michigan and Grandma Sands’ hometown of Birmingham, Alabama.The novel begins with the Watson family trying to stay warm on a bitterly cold winter’s day. Kenny state, “It was
one of those super-duper-cold Saturdays. One of those days that when you breathed out your breath kind of hung frozen in the air like a hunk of smoke and you could walk along and look exactly like a train blowing out big, fat white puffs of smoke.”
In Christopher Paul Curtis’ epilogue, he states, “At the time of the Watson’s family trip, the U.S. South was caught up in a struggle for basic human rights that became known as the civil rights movement.” Curtis further adds, “The characters and events in this novel are fictional. However, there were many unsolved bombings in Birmingham at the time of the story, including the one that took place at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church on September 15, 1963. Four young-teenage girls-Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley-were killed when a bomb went off during Sunday school.”
The characters in THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM-1963 are Kenny, Bryon, Joetta, Momma, and Dad. Kenny Watson is the protagonist of Curtis’ historical novel. Kenny and the other members of the Watson family seem real and believable. The Watson’s set off on a family trip that could have actually happened.This historical novel is believable and accurate. The plot is not overwhelmed by details and is realistic to the time period. Further, the theme of devoted family love reflects the attitudes, values, and morals of the times of then and now. In this novel, Curtis' writing style showers the readers with the essence of the Civil Rights Movement. The Watson’s speech patterns enhance the characters. For example, Kenny says, “ He gave me his famous Death Stare, then leaned over Joey and whispered, ‘No cars, no cows, but I counted yo’ momma six times already.’ I couldn’t believe it! What kind of person would talk about their own momma? I said, ‘That’s your mother too, stupid!’ I knew he didn’t care, though. But I had to get him back, so I said, ‘You might have counted my momma six times, but have you counted your mouth lately, Lipless Wonder?’ I got him! He showed his teeth and said, ‘You little. . .’ and tried to grab me. Dad’s eye was in the rearview mirror. “All right, you two, I said no nonsense and I don’t mean maybe.’ Bryon used silent language to say, ‘I’m gonna jack you up in Alabama, you punk!’ I felt pretty good. Even though every time I looked at By his eyes were crossed I didn’t care because this one time I bugged him more than he bugged me!”
This wonderful historical book is created with the crucial literary elements which makes a magnificent novel. In conclusion, THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM-1963 includes accurate historical facts and clear sequential information for this time period. The facts are presented by the characters in a clear, lively, and interesting dialogue. Further, the reference aids included in this well-thought-out book are subheadings and an epilogue. Finally, the black and white photographs in the front and back cover of this novel are attractive and inviting. This novel is superb reading for all ages.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEELY: "An exceptional first novel."
Starred review in THE HORN BOOK MAGAZINE: “Superb . . . a warmly memorable evocation of an African American family."
THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW: "Marvelous . . . both comic and deeply moving."
Starred review SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Ribald humor . . . and a totally believable child's view of the world will make this book an instant hit.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Allow students to make a photographic time line of the Civil Rights Movement. Students are to utilize the internet to find pictures of the times to illustrate the events. Students are to explain to the class the events on their timeline and discuss why they choose their photographs.
*Students are to make a collage that shows how the life of an African American in the early 1960s would have differed from that of a white person in the south.
*Students are to use the internet and trade book to research the "Jim Crow" laws.
*Allow students to utilize a KWL organizer.
*Other books for children on the Civil Rights Movement:
Turck, Mary C. THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT FOR KIDS: A HISTORY WITH 21 ACTIVITIES. ISBN 155652370
Ringgold, Faith. IF A BUS COULD TALK: THE STORY OF ROSA PARKS. ISBN 0689856768
Mcwhorter, Diane. A DREAM OF FREEDOM: THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. ISBN 0439576784
Bridges, Ruby. THROUGH MY EYES. ISBN 0590189239
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