Historical Fiction/Biography--The Watsons go to Birmingham

REVIEW: HISTORICAL FICTION/BIOGRAPHY

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Curtis, Christopher Paul. 2001. The Watsons go to Birmingham—1963: a novel. New York, NY: Random House, Inc. ISBN 044022800X

2. PLOT SUMMARY

This is a story about an African American family who lived in Flint, Michigan, in 1963. The main character, young Kenny, presents his eccentric family to the reader. Kenny’s dad is an amateur comedian, his sedate mother keeps the family on schedule, his older brother Byron is a cool and “wannabe” delinquent, and his younger sister, Joetta, is the peacekeeper in the family. Kenny is depicted as a good student and seeker of his parents approval. Kenny’s parents worry about Byron’s mildly iniquitous behavior and the influence of his friend “Buphead.” As a result, they decide to take a trip South to drop Byron to his strict maternal grandmother in Birmingham, Alabama.

Their puny and wiry old grandmother welcomes them with hugs and kisses. Unfortunately, the racial situation is tense in the South. There is a racially motivated assault on a Church that is attended by African Americans. Joetta is there for Sunday school when a bomb explosion occurs. As Kenny searches for his sister he is horrified to see maimed and dead bodies of young children. Kenny believes his sister is dead when finds a shoe that looks like Joetta’s. Kenny and his family struggle to deal with the reality of being targets of a terrorist attack. They have to cope with the unexpected events that affected the nation as a whole.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Michigan born Curtis indicates that he was around Kenny’s age in 1963. He has definitely captured the setting and the family dynamics of an African American family as he leads the readers to the humorous antics of the “Weird” Watsons through the eyes of young Kenny. There is an instance when Byron’s lips get stuck to the frozen side mirror of the family car. The father makes the following observation. “Why are you asking how it happened? Can't you tell, Wilona? This little knucklehead was kissing his reflection in the mirror and got his lips stuck!"

Curtis provides the reader the essence family dynamics, realities of times of destructive prejudice, bombings, segregation, the deaths of young and old - in a reminder of the treatment of blacks, and the enactment of civil rights acts.

The author skillfully transforms the character of Byron from “cool” to “sensitive” when necessary. Byron helps Kenny to survive the shock and feelings of guilt after the bombing of their grandmother’s church.

In the last few pages, after Byron has talked Kenny into coming out from his hiding place behind the couch, he says: “It’s ’bout time you cut this mess out, Momma and Dad beginning to think your little behind is seriously on the blink. Today is the day you check out of the World-Famous Watson Pet Hospital. Don’t let me catch you back there no more. You ain’t got no cause to be ashamed or scared of nothing. You smart enough to figure this one out yourself. Besides, you getting the word from the top wolf hisself; you gonna be all right baby bruh. I swear for God.

Kenny’s simple narrative makes the thought-provoking story inviting and believable. Readers of all ages see a picture of Kenny’s world as it changes before his eyes.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal, 02/01/2000

Gr 5-8-In the only Newbery Honor book to make my list, the weighty issues and historical perspectives don't get in the way of a very funny family. Byron plays some awful tricks on his younger brother Kenny, but readers can't help but laugh at some of his less harmful teasing. He tells a convincing story to little sister Joey about how garbage trucks scoop up frozen Southern folks who don't dress warmly enough, and half-fools Kenny with his tall tale. While the boys supply many of the laughs, it's clear that they get their sense of humor from their dad. His gentle teasing and tongue-in-cheek exaggerations can be hilarious. Laughter and Tears Award: More than any other book on my list, the humor in The Watsons shifts to near tragedy and many thought-provoking developments. The serious stuff succeeds in part because readers grow so close to this family through the humor that comes earlier in the book. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly, 10/27/1997

A 1996 Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor book, this comic tale, narrated by a 10-year-old boy, describes an eccentric family's unwitting trip South to visit Grandma?during one of the stormiest times of the Civil Rights movement. PW's boxed, starred review called it "an exceptional first novel." Ages 10-up. (Oct.)

5. CONNECTIONS

Use historical fiction books in the classroom to supplement regular textbooks. Get students to compare books from two different cultures.

Other similar books by Christopher Paul Curtis:

Bud, Not Buddy 0553494104

Bucking the Sarge

Other historical fiction books:

Crispin: the cross of lead by Avi 0786808284

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak 0375831002

Number the stars by Lois Lowry 0440403278

Nimet