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Description edit
Enter the hilarious world of 10-year-old Kenny and his family, the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan. There's Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and brother Byron, who's 13 and an "official juvenile delinquent." When Momma and Dad decide it's time for a visit to Grandma, Dad comes home with the... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Summary edit
The Watsons Go to Birmingham is about 'The Weird Watson Family' and their conflicts, their joys, and their fear they face in 1963. The Watson family consists of the Dad- Daniel Watson, the Mom- Wilona Watson, the oldest son- Byron, the middle son- Kenny, and lastly their daughter- Joetta. In... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)
Characters/People edit
- Kenneth (Kenny) Watson: the protagonist of the story. He is ten years old, and he has a lazy eye that refuses to respond to treatment. He is highly intelligent and suffers a lot of harassment from classmates because of it. He feels uncomfortable at home too, because he is the middle child.
- Byron (By): The brother of Kenny and Joetta and an "official juvenile delinquent". He tries to act cool during his teen years, but we see his soft side a few times in the story.
- Wilona: is Byron, Kenny, and Joey's mother and Daniel's wife.
- Daniel: The father of Joetta, Byron, and Kenny and the husband of Wilona.
- Joetta (Joey): She is the sister of Byron and Kenny. She is a well-mannered young girl. Joetta is known to cry whenever her brother, Byron, gets in to trouble, which unfortunately is most of the time.Joey, is very attached to her brother Byron although the book does not make it clear why. She is extremely gullible when Byron tricks her, and because Byron is a prankster this is quite often. Although her bond is strong with Byron she is very loyal to all her family. She makes sure to pray everyday. She enjoys to get her hair done by her mother.
- Grandma Sands: The grandmother of Kenny, Byron, and Joey. Byron described her as a troll. She is very strict, but loving. Her Southern accent is much worse than Wilona's.
- Mr. Roberts: Grandma Sands' dearest friend who is strongly disliked by Wilona.
- Larry Dunn: The elementary school bully. He is always bullying people.
- Buphead: Byron's best friend in school. Helps bully kids and get into various forms of trouble.
- Rufus Fry: Kenny's best friend at school. One of the few kids who get's teased more than Kenny.
- Cody Fry: Rufus's little brother, and looks like a shrunken version of Rufus.
- Momma: Kenny's mom
- Mrs. Davidson: The Watson's next door neighbor.She gives Joey a angel as a gift.
- Byron: Super cool Bad boy
- Mommy: (wilona sands watson)A native of birmingham she slips into a deep southern accent when ever mad or exited complains about flints harsh weather she is tough but fair to her children she wants byron to become mature and set a good example for kenny an joey.
- Mr. Mitchell: 1996 Coretta Scott King Award Author Honor
- Byron Watson: Can bully people but still has a heart.
- Poindexter: Kenny.
- Byron Watson: Kenny's older brother. He thinks very highly of himself and often finds himself in trouble.
- Miss Henry: LOYAL
- Joe Collier: PRICLESS
- Mrs. Cordell: 123
- Brown Bomber: The watsons car that they drive to Birmingham.
First Sentence edit
It was one of those super-duper-cold Saturdays.
Table of Contents edit
Chapters:
1- And you wonder why we get called the weird Watsons
2-Give my regards to Clark, Poindexter
3-The World's Greatest Dinosaur War Ever
4- Froze-up Southern Folks
5- Nazi Parachutes Attack America and Get Shot Down over the Flint River by Captain Byron Watson and His Flamethrower of Death
6- Swedish Cremes and Welfare Cheese
7- Every Chihuahua in America Lines Up to take a Bite out of Byron
8- The Ultra-Glide!
9- The Watsons Go To Birmingham--1963
10- Tangled Up in God's Beard
11- Bobo Brazil Meets the Sheik
12- That Dog Won't Hunt No More
13- I Meet Winnie's Evil Twin Brother, the Wool Pooh
14- Every Bird and Bug in Birmingham Stops and Wonders
15- The World-Famous Watson Pet Hospital
Themes & Symbolism edit
Series & Lists edit
This book is in 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up. (authoritative list)
Authors & Contributors edit
- Christopher Paul Curtis (Author)
Awards edit
- Newbery Honor Book (1996)
- Coretta Scott King Book Award (1996: Author, Honor)
- Jane Addams Children's Book Award (Finalist, 1996)
- Golden Kite Award (1996: Fiction, Winner)
Notes for Parents edit
Reading Level: Ages 9-12This is an excellent piece of historical fiction set during the civil rights movement. The characters are very easy to relate to and like and will drawn the reader in before getting to the more serious parts of the story. Read this one along with your child. You won't be disappointed.
Subjects edit
- Books › Children's Books › People & Places › Social Issues › Prejudice & Racism › Fiction
- Books › Children's Books › People & Places › Family Life › Multigenerational › Fiction
- Books › Children's Books › Authors & Illustrators, A-Z › ( C ) › Curtis, Christopher Paul
- Books › Children's Books › People & Places › Multicultural Stories › African-American
- Books › Children's Books › Literature
- Books › Teens › Social Issues
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Links to Supplemental Material edit
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