The Watson's Go to Birmingham-1963 Review

The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963

by Christopher Paul Curtis

Summary- “The Watsons go to Birmingham” by Christopher Paul Curtis is a story narrated by a young boy named Kenny. The parents are Daniel and Wilona Watson, and they have three children Byron who is thirteen and ten year old Kenny, and their little sister Joetta who is five. As any normal brothers Byron and Kenny give each other a hard time but when it comes to defending each other in the end they are there for each other. Byron constantly causing problems for the family as a young delinquent forcing his parents to plan a trip to mommas’ old home in Birmingham, Alabama to whip in into shape. While in Birmingham they witness a church bombing that almost took the life of the youngest child Joetta. Bringing the family into a new reality and bringing them closer together.

Evaluation- This story is narrated by a nine year old, he tells all about his adventures with his family whom is referred to as “The Weird Watsons.” This is a very good read and laid out in a very simple way. This story is split up into these different events that sort of shape each character and what makes the family who they are. I love that the author combined these historically important events with a bit of family problems that are hilarious. There are so many hilarious parts to this book, one I loved and feel kids would love was the part where they were de-icing the car. Kenny was doing the right thing, while Byron decided to admire himself in the mirror, when he kissed his reflection…his lips got stuck! Oh man, I was laughing like a hyena! The author really focuses on family ties as one of the main themes of the book. Along with the historical problems the country is facing the reader also see's the problems of the Watson family. Curtis has the reader feeling what the characters in the story are feeling, whether good or bad.

                I feel that the reader is really engaged with these characters and the book itself, so once the book takes a turn in events, it’s almost a tragedy/dramatic story now. I feel this book engages adults, especially young kids because it looks at historical tragedies a little differently, it shows this bombing in a personal experience that most books do not. As I read this book, and got further into the tragedy during this Civil Rights Movement, I was tearing up.  Those four little girls that died, that part really got to me. I had grown into these characters, that it was hard to see all this happening to them.

                I believe that this book is perfect for the middle school age, all the way up to adulthood. I think it would be great to have in the middle school library. I feel like almost everyone could relate to this book, especially children. I feel it shows that growing up is always hard, it doesn’t matter what time period you’re in. I really enjoyed this story and it was one that grew on me!