Curtis, C.P. (1995).
The Watsons go to Birmingham –
1963. New York: Delacourte Press.
Kenny is young boy who tells the story about his
family, mainly his brother, and their time in Flint, Michigan and Birmingham,
Alabama. While the family lives in
Flint, Kenny can’t help but talk about how much trouble his older brother,
Byron, gets into, which eventually forces the family to visit Grandma Sands in
Birmingham in hopes to straighten him out.
While there, Kenny starts to notice how different his brother is
becoming, even when Byron saves his life when he almost drowns and then
comforting him in the very end after they return home. Secondary grade kids who have an
understanding of segregation will enjoy this coming of age story that is at
times comical just as it is serious as it focuses on race and social standing,
along with family, friendship and morality.
Many kids will also be able to relate to the inner thoughts of Kenny, as
he struggles to find his place and make sense of the world around. What some kids will also be able to
appreciate is that the love this family has for one another, no matter how many
wrongs Byron did or the mistake Kenny made with going swimming, they are always
there to support one another. This is a
1996 Newbery Honor Book.
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