The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963

by Christopher Paul Curtis

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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.

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Showing 1-5 of 317 (next | show all)

Great story that deals with the racial problems of Birmingham and growing up in Flint Michigan (

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Rostie | May 19, 2024 |

This book was easy to read, but not terribly exciting. The main character is a 4th grade boy. It teaches friendship and kindness, making mistakes, and dealing with grief and feelings of inadequacy. (

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GrowWithMe | Apr 20, 2024 |

A well- written book for students grades 4-6. The book deals with difficult topics with characters students can relate to. This book is an excellent selection to read aloud and discuss as a class. (

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Chrissylou62 | Apr 11, 2024 |

6
Novel 1

TaylorOnyx | Aug 31, 2023 |

I really love how the author draws you into the Watson family slowly but surely. I also love any book that has me going to the wiki to find out more info about an intriguing subject (for this book I couldn't resist looking up conks). (

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blueskygreentrees | Jul 30, 2023 |

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▾Series and work relationships

Belongs to Publisher Series

Yearling Newbery

Is contained in

Christopher Paul Curtis Set of 5 Award Winning Paperbacks Includes the Madman of Piney Woods, the Watsons Go to Birmingham, Bud, Not Buddy, Elijah of Buxton & the Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis

Yearling Newbery Boxed Set (Island of the Blue Dolphins, Johnny Tremain, Belle Prater's Boy, Wrinkle in Time, Black Cauldron, Black Pearl, Watson's Go to Birmingham 1963, Lily's Crossing) by Scott O'Dell

Has the adaptation

The Watsons Go to Birmingham [2013 TV movie] by Kenny Leon

Has as a reference guide/companion

Lift : The Watsons go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

Has as a student's study guide

The Watsons Go To Birmingham 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis - Study Guide by BookRags

The Watsons Go to Birmingham: Novel-Ties Study Guides by Kathleen M. Fischer

Has as a teacher's guide

A Guide for Using The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 in the Classroom by Debra Housel

The Watsons Go To Birmingham--1963: LitPlan Teacher Pack on CD by Barbara M. Linde

Teacher's Discussion Guide to The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Nancy Romero

▾Awards and Honors

Awards

BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (1995)

Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee – Grades 6-9 – 1998)

California Young Reader Medal (Nominee – Middle School/Junior High, Grades 6-8 – 1998)

Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (Nominee – 1998)

Colorado Children's Book Award (Nominee – 1998)

Coretta Scott King Award (Honor – Author – 1996)

Flicker Tale Award (Nominee – Juvenile Books – 1997)

Golden Kite Award (Winner – Fiction – 1996)

Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee – Teen – 1998)

A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (1996)

Jane Addams Children's Book Award (Honor Book – Books for Older Children – 1996)

Land Of Enchantment Book Award (Winner – Young Adult – 2000)

Mark Twain Readers Award (Nominee)

Massachusetts Children's Book Award (Nominee – 2000)

Maud Hart Lovelace Award (Nominee – Division II - Grades 6-8 – 1999)

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Canonical title

The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963

Original title

Alternative titles

Original publication date

People/Characters

Important places

Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Important events

Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, 1963

Epigraph

In memory of
Addie Mae Collins
Born 4/18/49, died 9/15/63
Denise McNair
Born 11/17/51, died 9/15/63
Carole Robertson
Born 4/24/49, died 9/15/63
Cynthia Wesley
Born 4/30/49, died 9/15/63
the toll for one day in one city

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my parents, Dr. Herman and Leslie Lewis Curtis, who have given their children both roots and wings and encouraged us to soar; my sister, Cydney Eleanor Curtis, who has been unfailingly supportive, kind and herself; and above all to my wife, Kaysandra Anne Sookram Curtis, who has provided a warmth and love that have allowed me to laugh, to grow and, most importantly, to dream.

First words

It was one of those super-duper-cold Saturdays.

Quotations

"Some of the time I wondered if something really was wrong with me. Byron had just told me that someone had dropped a bomb on Joey's church, hadn't he? If that was true why was I only thinking about how much trouble By was going to be in when they heard how loud he'd slammed the screen door, and asking myself why hadn't he put on his shoes? His socks wouldn't last two minutes on the Alabama mud."

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

Disambiguation notice

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Original language

Canonical DDC/MDS

Canonical LCC

▾References

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Wikipedia in English

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▾Book descriptions

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.

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▾LibraryThing members' description

Book description

A family story, both comic and moving, touches on the frightening times of the early civil rights movement.

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