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The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963
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The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 Hardcover - 1995

by Christopher Paul Curtis

A hilarious, touching, and tragic novel about civil rights and the impact of violence on one African American family. Narrated by Kenny, 9, the story tells about his middle-class black family, the Watsons of Flint, Michigan, and their trip to Birmingham, Alabama, to visit Grandma. They happen to be in Birmingham when Grandma's church is bombed.


From the publisher

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Newbery and Coretta Scott King Honoree about an unforgettable family on a road-trip during one of the most important times in the civil rights movement. When the Watson family--ten-year-old Kenny, Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and brother Byron--sets out on a trip south to visit Grandma in Birmingham, Alabama, they don't realize that they're heading toward one of the darkest moments in America's history. The Watsons' journey reminds us that even in the hardest times, laughter and family can help us get through anything. "A modern classic." --NPR "Marvelous . . . both comic and deeply moving." --The New York Times "One of the best novels EVER." --Jacqueline Woodson, Newbery Honor and National Book Award-winning author of Brown Girl Dreaming

From the jacket flap

A wonderful middle-grade novel narrated by Kenny, 9, about his middle-class black family, the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan. When Kenny's 13-year-old brother, Byron, gets to be too much trouble, they head South to Birmingham to visit Grandma, the one person who can shape him up. And they happen to be in Birmingham when Grandma's church is blown up.

Details

  • Title The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963
  • Author Christopher Paul Curtis
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 224
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Delacorte Press, New York
  • Date 1995-09-01
  • ISBN 9780385321754 / 0385321759
  • Weight 0.79 lbs (0.36 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.54 x 5.72 x 0.81 in (21.69 x 14.53 x 2.06 cm)
  • Ages 10 to 13 years
  • Grade levels 5 - 8
  • Reading level 920
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 1960's
    • Chronological Period: 20th Century
    • Cultural Region: South
    • Ethnic Orientation: African American
    • Geographic Orientation: Alabama
    • Locality: Birmingham, Alabama
    • Topical: Family
  • Library of Congress subjects Brothers and sisters, African Americans
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 95007091
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Media reviews

Citations

  • ALA Best Books Young Adults, 01/01/1996, Page 1278
  • ALA Notable Children's Books, 01/01/1996, Page 1288
  • Booklist, 06/01/2000, Page 1875
  • Hornbook Guide to Children, 07/01/1995, Page 60
  • Kirkus Review - Children, 10/01/1995, Page 1426
  • New York Times, 11/12/1995, Page 23
  • NY Times Notable Bks of Year, 01/01/1995, Page 72
  • Publishers Weekly, 10/16/1995, Page 62
  • School Library Journal, 02/01/2000, Page 0

About the author

Christopher Paul Curtis won the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award for his bestselling second novel, Bud, Not Buddy. His first novel, The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963, was also singled out for many awards, and has been a bestseller in hardcover and paperback. His most recent novels for Random House include The Mighty Miss Malone, Mr. Chickee's Messy Mission, Mr. Chickee's Funny Money, and Bucking the Sarge. Christopher Paul Curtis grew up in Flint, Michigan. After high school he began working on the assembly line at the Fisher Body Plant No. 1 while attending the Flint branch of the University of Michigan. He is now a full-time writer, and lives with his family in Windsor, Ontario.
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The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 (Newbery Honor Book)
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The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 (Newbery Honor Book)

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The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963
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The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 (Newbery Honor Book)
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The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 (Newbery Honor Book)

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The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

by Christopher Paul Curtis

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The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

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The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

by Curtis, Christopher Paul

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ISBN 13
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The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

by Curtis, Christopher Paul

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ISBN 13
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The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

by Christopher Paul Curtis

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  • Hardcover
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ISBN 13
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The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963
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The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

by Curtis, Christopher Paul

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ISBN 10
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