The Watsons Go to Birmingham By Christopher Paul Curtis
Chapter Book
The Watsons Go to Birmingham is set in 1963 and begins by introducing the Watson family. They live in Flint, Michigan and the story is set in during the winter season. The story starts with the whole family bundled up tightly together on the couch with blankets wrapped around them for warmth. The story is told from the perspective of Kenny, one of the Watson children. He has a younger sister Joetta and a thirteen year old brother named Byron. Kenny talks about how Byron, or “By,” and how he is quite a delinquent. Because of Byron's delinquent behavior his family decides to take him to their grandmother's house in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a tiny, but strict lady who is sure to turn By around. It is a fabulous account of a chilling time in history and the Watson family is there when the bombing of the Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church is bombed with four little girls in it. Luckily, Joetta Watson is not inside. It is a touching story and it is a great representation of life during that time period. I think this book can be used in the classroom for teaching students about the 1963 time period and segregation. Teachers can touch on the hardships and how families were effected during this time. Using selected websites by the teacher students could take part in a WebQuest regarding the time period described in the book to help enhance their understanding.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham is set in 1963 and begins by introducing the Watson family. They live in Flint, Michigan and the story is set in during the winter season. The story starts with the whole family bundled up tightly together on the couch with blankets wrapped around them for warmth. The story is told from the perspective of Kenny, one of the Watson children. He has a younger sister Joetta and a thirteen year old brother named Byron. Kenny talks about how Byron, or “By,” and how he is quite a delinquent. Because of Byron's delinquent behavior his family decides to take him to their grandmother's house in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a tiny, but strict lady who is sure to turn By around. It is a fabulous account of a chilling time in history and the Watson family is there when the bombing of the Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church is bombed with four little girls in it. Luckily, Joetta Watson is not inside. It is a touching story and it is a great representation of life during that time period. I think this book can be used in the classroom for teaching students about the 1963 time period and segregation. Teachers can touch on the hardships and how families were effected during this time. Using selected websites by the teacher students could take part in a WebQuest regarding the time period described in the book to help enhance their understanding.
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