The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963: With Connections (HRW Library) [Hardcover]

Christopher Paul Curtis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2009 | ISBN-10: 003054789X | ISBN-13: 978-0030547898

The ordinary interactions and everyday routines of the Watsons, an African American family living in Flint, Michigan, are drastically changed after they go to visit Grandma in Alabama in the summer of 1963.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 239 pages
• Publisher: Steck-Vaughn Company (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 003054789X
• ISBN-13: 978-0030547898
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,478 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Photo © 2003 James Keyser
author spotlight
"To me the highest accolade comes when a young reader tells me, 'I really liked your book.' The young seem to be able to say 'really' with a clarity, a faith, and an honesty that we as adults have long forgotten. That is why I write."--Christopher Paul Curtis

Christopher Paul Curtis made an outstanding debut in children's literature with The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963. His second novel, Bud, Not Buddy, is the first book ever to receive both the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Author Award.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Born in Flint, Michigan, Christopher Paul Curtis spent his first 13 years after high school on the assembly line of Flint's historic Fisher Body Plant # 1. His job entailed hanging car doors, and it left him with an aversion to getting into and out of large automobiles--particularly big Buicks.

With grandfathers like Earl "Lefty" Lewis, a Negro Baseball League pitcher, and 1930s bandleader Herman E. Curtis, Sr., of Herman Curtis and the Dusky Devastators of the Depression, it is easy to see why Christopher Paul Curtis was destined to become an entertainer.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 tells the story of 10-year-old Kenny and his family, the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan, and their unforgettable journey that leads them into one of the darkest moments in American history. It is by turns a hilarious, touching, and tragic story about civil rights and the impact of violence on one family.

Curtis's novel Bud, Not Buddy focuses on 10-year-old Bud Caldwell, who hits the road in search of his father and his home. Times may be hard in 1936 Flint, Michigan, but orphaned Bud's got a few things going for him; he believes his mother left a clue of who his father was--and nothing can stop Bud from trying to find him.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovable, funny, and good-natured: great reading for youth, March 9, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963: With Connections (HRW Library) (Hardcover)

Christopher Paul Curtis's book, "The Watsons Go to Birmingham", is a wonderful story containing loveable characters who will lift your spirits with a strong sense of innocence. A wonderful story of the tragedy of the bombing of the Birmingham church for young readers. Hilarious scenarios complete the story's morality and gives you something to enjoy. Great for book reports and the like.

3.0 out of 5 stars Language Arts Review, March 3, 2010

By 

Victoria Fischer "student" (Fort Wayne, In) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963: With Connections (HRW Library) (Hardcover)

We have not read this book all the way through, but so far it is good. I thought it was funny when Byron was kissing the mirror. Byron's lips get stuck to the mirror because it was cold outside. Kenny calls him the lipless wounder, you will hear Kenny say that through out the book. Byron gets his hair straightened after his parents told him not to, so Mr. Watson cuts all of Byron's hair off. Right before the Watsons go to Birmingham, Mr. Watson has Mr. Johnson look at the brown bomber, that is what they named the car. Mr. Watson and Mr. Johnson talk about how the trip is 16 hours and they talked about how Mr. Watson can go without stopping, but Mrs. Watson has the whole trip planed out. When the family gets to their first rest stop, the kids find out that everywhere else it is not like Flint.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, April 14, 2009

By 

Martha A. Turner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963: With Connections (HRW Library) (Hardcover)

This book is about a family and their trip to gradma's house in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963. It is based on historical fact of the times. I love this book because it has sutch a rich story and great use the language of the time.