Bibliographic Information
Curtis, Christopher Paul. 1995. The Watsons Go To Birmingham – 1963. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 0385321759
Plot Summary
In Flint, Michigan, the Watsons may be considered “weird,” but in 1963 a young black family is safer in Michigan than Birmingham, Alabama. The story of a ten year old named Kenny and his family is fun, uplifting, and humorous until a visit to the grandmother’s house in Birmingham turns tragic. This is a story of the United States past that is told in a way that can get through to the children and young adults of today in a way that no history book ever could.
Critical Analysis
The Watsons Go To Birmingham – 1963, tells the story of a young family and what happens when their northern life is traded for one in the south during the 1960’s and desegregation. Most children of today do not understand what it really feels like to live with fear because of racism and hate. Reading about the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s in a history book could never give a clear picture of the feelings of children like themselves. That is why books like The Watsons Go To Birmingham – 1963 are so important as more than just entertainment, but education.
Curtis tells the story of the “Weird Watsons” in a way that transports the reader to Michigan over forty years ago. I could see a mother from the south being overly concerned, possibly not so severely, about the freezing temperatures even today. But once the trip to Alabama is planned the times come into play in a dramatic fashion.
The dad buys a TT AB-700 Ultra-Glide for the car, and since some children today may not even know what a record player is, they may not understand the significance. Of course, I found it hilarious that anyone would attempt to put a record player in a car at all, but it was the 60’s.
Curtis uses Kenny Watson as a young narrator to the story, which gives it power for other children to see what these events could have been like to them. When the church is bombed in Birmingham and Kenny walks around in a daze searching for his sister, it is written so well I felt like I was there in a daze with him. And the aftermath of the situation, although upsetting, shows how families can be bonded after tragic events, even if the event does not directly affect them.
The Epilogue to The Watsons Go To Birmingham – 1963, gives information on the civil rights movement as well as details of an actual church bombing in Birmingham. Curtis makes a point to connect the children that were killed in this bombing (This book also has a page dedicated to the memory of these four children in the beginning.) to the characters as well as people readers know. He does a good job of bridging the past to why we need to remember it through the book.
Review Excerpts
Booklist “In a voice that's both smart and naive, strong and scared, fourth-grader Kenny Watson tells about his African American family in Flint, Michigan, in 1963. We get to know his strict, loving parents and his tough older brother, who gets into so much trouble his parents decide to take him back "home" to Birmingham, Alabama, where maybe his strong grandmother will teach him some sense. Several of the family stories are a bit self-conscious (we keep being told we're going to laugh as Dad puts on a show and acts the fool), but the relationships aren't idealized. Racism and the civil rights movement are like a soft rumble in the background, especially as the Watsons drive south. Then Kenny's cute little sister is in a Birmingham church when a bomb goes off. She escapes (Curtis doesn't exploit the horror), but we're with Kenny as he dreads that she's part of the rubble. In this compelling first novel, form and content are one: in the last few chapters, the affectionate situation comedy is suddenly transformed, and we see how racist terror can invade the shelter of home.”
Connections
Several lesson plans are available online to give teachers a starting place for teaching The Watsons Go To Birmingham – 1963 in the classroom. This book could be used in English as well as history classes; one lesson plan can be found at Christopher Paul Curtis’ website as well. http://www.randomhouse.com/features/christopherpaulcurtis/index.htm
1996 Coretta Scott King Honor Book
1996 Newbery Honor Book
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