The Watsons go to Birmingham

Curtis, C. P. (1995). The Watsons go to Birmingham, 1963. New York: Delacorte.

The Watsons are an African American family that lives in Flint, Michigan. The family consists of  Momma, Dad, Byron, Kenny, and Joletta. Byron got held back a grade, and because of this, is one of the bigger kids in school. Kenny is smart, and has a high reading level. He does not have many friends, but people don't bother him as much  because they fear his brother Byron. Joletta is their little sister, she is protective and cries for everything. Byron is always getting in trouble, but one day he does something that breaks the camels back. Mom and Dad are fed up with his behavior, and decide to take Byron to live with Grandma Sands in Birmingham. Momma plans out every bit of the trip, and the entire family is excited about the upcoming journey. Dad has a plan to drive straight through, but doesn't dare let Momma know. When they get to Grandma Sands house, Momma notices a lot of things have changed in the town. Regardless of the changes, she is happy to be back in her home town, with her mom. Through the scorching heat, the kids slowly adjust to the small town, and even start to enjoy it. One day Joletta goes to Sunday school, and something terrible happens. Some how Kenny has a vision of his sister, and goes to the church to see what is happening. Joletta on the other hand, thinks she sees Kenny and decided to follow him out of the church. Joletta is able to make it our of the church before it blows up. When Kenny makes it to the church, he is able to go inside to look for Joletta. He sees all the devistation the bomb caused, and thinks his sister has perished. Later he realizes it is not Joletta's shoe, but is still in shock with what he saw. The family goes back to Flint, Michigan, including Byron, but they were never the same again. The Watsons' story takes place during a time in histroy that was jam packed with racial turmoil. On their journey to Birmingham, the Watsons had to be careful of where they stopped to rest, because some people didn't take to kindly to African Americans. This book does an amazing job at capturing the family spirit, and the measures they took to protect each other. It gives the reader an inside look at what life was like in 1963, and doesn't sugar coat the reality of the time. This book would best be suited for student in 5th grade and up. It can be used to compare and contrast 1963 with the present. Students can talk about major events that are affecting the present, and how people might feel looking back in the furture. In the book Kenny almost drawns in a Whool Pool, this chapeter would make a great science lesson. Students can investigate whirlpools, their characteristics, and what causes them.