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    The Watsons Go to Birmingham,1963 | Book Review

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze3 Mins Read Ages 9-12 Award Winners Best Kids Stories Novels for Kids and Teens
    The Watsons Go to Birmingham,1963 | Book Review
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    Book Review of The Watsons Go to Birmingham,1963
    The Children’s Book Review

    The Watsons Go to Birmingham,1963

    The Watsons Go to Birmingham,1963

    Written by Christopher Paul Curtis

    Ages 10+ | 210 Pages

    Publisher: Yearling | ISBN-13: 9780440414124

    What to Expect: Historical Fiction, Racism, Civil Rights, Family, and Adversity

    The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963, by Christopher Curtis, is truly a masterpiece in literary fiction. The book has earned multiple awards for its incredible writing and storytelling, receiving the highly coveted Newbery Honor and the esteemed Coretta Scott King Honor.

    The story follows a young boy named Kenny, his middle-class African American family (known as the Weird Watsons), and events during the summer of 1963. His thirteen-year-old brother Byron is constantly in trouble, so the Watsons take a road trip from Flint, Michigan, to Birmingham, Alabama, to see if Grandma can pull Byron into line. While they are there, a catastrophe occurs at Grandma’s church. While exploring topics such as racism and civil rights, the author manages to keep the pages of this book filled with laughter and heart, making it a must-read for all ages.

    The narrative showcases the importance of family, strength, and triumph in the face of adversity. Through Kenny’s eyes, we are reminded of the significance of love and support and of the power of family in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The story is mesmerizing and impactful, motivating readers to be kinder, braver, and more resilient in navigating life’s challenges.

    Overall, The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963, is a true gem in literature, with its themes and messages inspiring future generations.

    Buy the Book

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    About the Author

    Born in Flint, Michigan, Christopher Paul Curtis spent his first 13 years after high school on the assembly line of Flint’s historic Fisher Body Plant # 1. His job entailed hanging car doors, and it left him with an aversion to getting into and out of large automobiles—particularly big Buicks. With grandfathers like Earl “Lefty” Lewis, a Negro Baseball League pitcher, and 1930s bandleader Herman E. Curtis, Sr., of Herman Curtis and the Dusky Devastators of the Depression, it is easy to see why Christopher Paul Curtis was destined to become an entertainer.

    Christopher Paul Curtis

    What to Read Next if You Love The Watsons Go to Birmingham,1963

    •  Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis
    • One Crazy Summer, by Rita Williams-Garcia
    • Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry,  by Mildred D. Taylor
    • Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry

    Bianca Schulze reviewed The Watsons Go to Birmingham,1963 . Discover more books like The Watsons Go to Birmingham,1963 by reading our reviews and articles tagged with Historical Fiction.

    What to Read Next:

    1. Seven Middle Grade Books for African American History Month
    2. One Crazy Summer, by Rita Williams-Garcia | Book Review
    3. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry | Book Review
    4. Esperanza Rising, by Pam Muñoz Ryan | Book Review

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Adversity Christopher Paul Curtis Civil Rights Family Relationships Historical Fiction Middle Grade Books Racism Yearling
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    Bianca Schulze
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    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

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