The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963

The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 is a historical-fiction novel by Christopher Paul Curtis. It was written in 1995 and republished in 1997. It tells the story of a loving African American family, living in the town of Flint, Michigan in 1963. When the oldest son (Byron) begins to get into a bit of trouble, the parents decide he should spend the summer and possibly the next school year with Grandma Sands in Birmingham, Alabama. The entire family travels there together by car, and during their visit, tragic events take place that affect the whole family but mainly Kenny.

Although the Watson family is fictional, the characters are based on members of the author's family and the events are inspired by events from his childhood, especially in the first part of the book. Events later in the story center on the historically factual 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, a critical catalyst of the American Civil Rights Movement which occurred soon after its successful Birmingham campaign.

In 2013, a television film based on the book premiered on the Hallmark Channel, starring Anika Noni Rose and Skai Jackson.

Author Information

The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 was Christopher Paul Curtis' first novel, earning him a Newbery Honor, a Coretta Scott King (wife of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) Honor, and the Golden Kite Award. Curtis also wrote the Newbery Award-winning novel Bud, Not Buddy; Elijah of Buxton, and The Mighty Miss Malone.^[1][2]

Summary

The story is based in Flint, Michigan, with the narrator, Kenny, introducing his family in a cold house on the couch huddled up together. They are called the "Weird Watsons". His family includes his dad, his mom, his older brother Byron, and his little sister Joetta. It is this last episode that prompts the main conflict in the story, as Byron's behavior gets even worse. Ultimately he gets caught by momma playing with matches in the house despite having been warned repeatedly not to do it. (Byron's mother burns Byron with a match, but Joetta extinguishes the flame multiple times with her spit.) Then, Byron gets a conk causing the family to decide that Byron should live with Grandma Sands in Birmingham, Alabama for the summer and possibly the next school year. It is, however, when their grandmother's church is bombed that the family decides to return home, with Byron, in an attempt to avoid explaining the full implications of what has happened to the children.

Kenny, having never encountered racism of this magnitude before, is unable to process what has happened. He ran to the church moments after the bombing took place as he believed his sister to be in the building, and saw the aftermath. He did not understand what was going on, as he was having hallucinations. As a result of the bomb, four little girls had died, one was blinded, and one had to have one of her eyes removed. There were also several other people that were injured less severely. Byron does his best to help Kenny understand what has happened, as their parents are reluctant to explain. Kenny sees that though the world is not perfect, he has to keep on moving forward.

Setting

The book takes place from approximately January to September 1963, a turbulent time during the Civil Rights Movement. The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, which took place on September 15, 1963, proved one of the pivotal events of that year. Segregation, and whether or when it should be legally ended, was a hotly debated topic at the time. The Watsons family lived in Flint, Michigan. Wilona is from the Southern parts of the USA in Alabama.

Characters

Kenneth Bernard "Kenny" Watson - The main character and narrator of the story, as well as the younger of the two sons of the Watsons. Kenny is ten years old. He has a lazy eye and is an excellent student, both of which make him the target of bullying at Clark Elementary School. Kenny's favorite song is Yakity Yak.

Wilona Sands Watson - Usually called Momma. She's the mother of the three children and the wife of Daniel. A native of Birmingham, she slips into a thick Southern accent when mad or excited and complains about Flint's harsh winters. She is strict and overprotective but loves her kids. Whenever Wilona wants to laugh she puts her hand up to her mouth because of a gap between her front two teeth. Wilona wants Byron to become mature and set a good example for Kenny and Joey. Wilona's favorite song is Under the Boardwalk.

Daniel Watson - Father of the three children. He's known for having a good sense of humor and the husband of Wilona. He is referred to as "Dad". When he and Wilona got married, they promised to always be there for each other.

Byron Watson - Older brother of Kenny and Joey. He is considered the "God" of Clark Elementary School. He bullies kids along with his best friend Buphead. He is known for being a terrible student and is also known for breaking the rules and being a rebel. Byron is thirteen.

Joetta "Joey" Watson - Younger sister of Byron and Kenny. She follows the rules and is very religious. Joey has a special relationship with Byron. Joey is five, and best friends with Arista T.

Buphead - Byron's best friend who is also an "official delinquent" helps Byron bully many kids, including his brother. Byron and Buphead standup for Kenny and Rufus when they're being bullied by Larry.

Grandma Sands - Grandmother of Kenny, Byron, and Joey, mother of Wilona, and mother-in-law of Daniel. She is supposed to be very strict. Seen by Wilona, Kenny, Byron, Joey, and Daniel when they arrived in Birmingham. Laughs like an evil witch. Grandma Sands walks with a cane due to having a stroke. Her husband died before the book began.

Rufus Fry - Kenny's new best friend and Cody's big brother. His family moves to Flint from the South. He and his little brother Cody befriend Kenny. He isn't very well with boanding in school.

Cody Fry - Rufus's little brother. Rufus and Cody came from a poor Southern African American family. Rufus and Cody aren't seen or mentioned in the movie.

Lawrence "Larry" Dunn - the school bully in Kenny and Rufus's class. Larry is older than Kenny and Rufus because he was held back.

Mr. Robert - is a dear friend of Grandma Sands. Mr. Robert started helping Grandma Sands out around the house after her husband died. It's hinted that Grandma Sands has a crush on Mr. Robert.

Mrs. Davidson - is the religious next door neighbor of the Watsons. Joey goes to church with Mrs. Davidson three times a week. Sometimes Wilona makes Kenny go to Sunday School with Joey.

LJ Jones - is a "friend" of Kenny that stole his dinosaurs by hiding them under 3 big rocks.

References

External links

• Random House's page on the book
• Alabama church marks bombing anniversary
• The Watsons Go to Birmingham at the Internet Movie Database
• The Watsons Go to Birmingham at Hallmark Channel