The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963 :: Education by Design Store

Customer Reviews

Very Pleased

2008-04-04
Thank you so much for such timely shipping and worry free ordering.
Robin Hoeppner

Hey you look over here

2008-02-01

The Watsons go to Birmingham-1963 is a book you can stick to like peanut butter and jelly!
This incredible novel is all set in Alabama. But the Watsons take a trip to the city of Birmingham, where their grandmother (Wilonas mother) lives.
These characters that are starred in this comedy story. There's Kenny, Byron, Joetta, Daniel (dad), and Wilona (mom). Well let me tell you a little more about the "Weird Watsons."
First there's Kenny. He's the middle child. He's the one who gets messed with by his big bad brother Byron. He is also a very sharp kid. But I guess not so smart if he always falls for his retched schemes.
Then there's Byron he's the really obnoxious one. And the thing I loved how the author makes him so real, I mean Byron thinks he's such a cool kid to even sit by his family. It's just like a typical thirteen year old.
Next there's Joetta the small sweet one, not much to sat though.
After its mom and dad. Wilona and Daniel Watson. They are the lucky parents with these kids.
You know the thing I love about this book the most is how C.P.C puts "in memory of" and these little girls' names that died in the church bombing. With also reminds me that's the main event in this awesome story!
But if you want to know more about this than go out and READ THIS BOOK!!!!!

The Watsons Go To Birmingham--1963

2008-01-18
The novel The watsons go to Birmingham-1963 by:Christopher Paul Curtis was a fantastic book!!! At first when I saw the book I thought it was going to be boring, and make me fall asleep. Then when I started to read it I didn't want to put it down! You could realy tell why it won the Newberry Honor Award. I could relate some of the characters. Like Byron and Joetta. The best part of the story was when Byron got his toung stuch to the rearview mirror. I wanted to burst out laughing. From my point of view I know you would love this book. This book was so good I am praying that there will be a sequal. Sam D. 3rd Period

perfect book

2007-12-08
This book is great from ages 8 and up. Both me and my parental unit love this book. I mostly relate to Byron because he is my same age. I suggest everone read this book.(And if you dont like this book you are a wendylicker).

Wonderful story, may be controversial for younger readers

2007-09-27
This book tells a wonderful tale of an African-American family in the early 60s. Most of the book just reveals each family members unique personality and shows that this family really loves each other. Not wanting to spoil the ending, but hoping to warn parents, the book, near the very end, brings up important ideas about racial prejudices through the use of very violent, almost graphic descriptions of tragic events in our history. The author does a marvelous job of really making the reader fall in love with the Watsons family, so that by the time the main event hits at the end, the reader really understands the cruelty of racial prejudice. I really thought the book was great and that it the topic is something people need to learn about and understand. However, I would caution that this book might be too frightening and violent for younger children. I wouldn't recommend it until maybe the middle school level.

WONDERFUL BOOK

2008-07-20
This book is a must read for people of all ages. The relationships and insight of an African-American family during the 1960's is exceptional. I highly recommend it for grades 3rd-8th.

Great for Kids and even adults!

2008-06-06
Birmingham, Alabama in 1963 was still troubled by the violence and was in the heart of the civil rights movement. The author has dedicated this book to four African American girls who died in the Church bombing in Birmingham of that year. The author in his first novel which is an impressive achievement writes about life in Flint, Michigan and growing up there in the wintertime in 1963. His mother would rather raise the family in the warm south, particularly her home state of Alabama. The book is really written for young adults but any adult can read this book and appreciate the realistic dialogue and situations of the Watsons, an African American family, in the midst of the Civil Rights movement.

THE VERY BEST BOOK!!!

2008-05-18
This is my favorite book! The Watsons Go To Birmingham had me laughing out loud. The book is very clever and has great use of figurative language. I have read many books by Christopher Paul Curtis, but this one is his best! Buy it!!!

A Great Read

2008-05-12
The Watson Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright 1995
Fry Reading Level: 7th grade
Pages: 210
Genre: Juvenile Fiction

The author builds up anticipation of the much-expected trip of the Watson family to Birmingham, Alabama. The first half of the book allows the reader to become familiar with the family. Curtis uses humor to engage the reader and provide a highly positive tone about the African American family that lives in Flint, Michigan. The dynamics of the family appear to be usual. There are the parents, one from Flint and the other from Birmingham. The two brothers Kenny (the narrator) and Byron have an interesting love-hate relationship. Kenny is cross-eyed but very bright and respected by teachers at their school. Byron is the "King" of the school, yet he is in danger of repeating grades. Although Byron is the coolest guy in the school this reputation does not affect the relationship of Kenny and the other children. Kenny remains the smart boy with the eye problem that teases his older brother when he has an opportunity to win that upward battle. Joetta is the smallest Watson. Her personality is determined and strong even as she challenges her mother about burning Byron's fingers because he has a pyromaniac period in the household. The relationships between each family member is revealed as the parents, determined to save their wayward son- Byron, plan a trip to Birmingham to show their children how the world really works for African Americans.
The book is an easy-read for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. The book is not recommended to teach structure or correct grammar. There are some words that are intentionally mis-spelled to help with the tone of the author and the mood of the book. When the family uses southern slang and encounters that when they arrive in Birmingham the grammar is really bad. Students should be aware of the figurative language that is used in the book, as well as the humorous purposes of certain phrases. Foul language and cursing is used in the book particularly with Byron and his mischievous friend Buphead. It is not encouraged to have younger readers use this book due to the certain level of maturity necessary to accept the language and its purpose- to entertain.
This book is highly recommended. The author uses vocabulary and imagery to humor and entertain the reader. A shift does take place when the family arrives in Birmingham and the children notice the differences between Michigan and Alabama. The church in the black community is blown up; an active hate crime against the African American community. The author captures the dynamic of the African American family well and portrays positive and caring relationships between the parents and the children throughout the novel.

The Watson's Go to Birmingham

2008-04-14
Outstanding book that discusses a black family making visit to Birmingham. The book is REALLY humorous and engaging. The book touched on the tragedy of the four little girls who died needlessly in Birmingham. I was thinking that the book would have discussed more racism in Flint. Racism in this country was everywhere and not just in the South. It amazes me that the Watson family never experienced any racial bigotry in Flint. Sundown towns were towns were if you were black, you had to be inside before the sun went down. If not, a person could be lynched for being outside. The book celebrates family and the tight structure of family.

Good one!A+****