In the extremely funny childrens book the watsons go to birmingham1963, the author christopher paul curtis uses the familys life and adventure as a way of showing many characteristics of a particular parenting style used on the children. Discusses the writing, characters, plot, and themes of this 1996 newbery honor book. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 by christopher paul. In an impressive literary debut, christopher paul curtis recounts events in the life. Books similar to the watsons go to birmingham 1963. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Published in 1995, the watsons go to birmingham 1963 was christopher paul curtiss first book. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 by kitty love read. The watsons go to birmingham1963 by christopher paul curtisamy griffin. Celebrate the 25th anniversary of this newbery and coretta scott king honoree about a hilarious family on a roadtrip at. What are the characteristics of byron watson in the. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 whole book test by.
What character traits does joetta have from the watsons go. Aug 06, 20 every so often a book becomes a modern classic almost as soon as it arrives on bookshelves. Alabama is a southern state, and therefor is in the midst of the civil rights movement. Three main place where the book is set are flint, in the brown bomber, and birmingham. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 is the story of the watson family of flint, michigan. It tells the story of a loving africanamerican family living in the town of flint, michigan, in 1963. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 is an interesting historical fiction novel about a family that lives in michigan during the time of the civil rights movement. This book has the ability to entertain and inform young readers as. This packet was released by the production company that created the hallmark channel movie which. The newbery and coretta scott king honoree about the weird watsons of flint, michiganfrom christopher paul curtis, author of bud, not buddy, a newbery medal and coretta scott award winner. The eldest son, byron, the selfproclaimed king of clark, is a sixthgrader at clark elementary school. The characters had some depth, especially the byron character, and i think if this book had been an adult novel the characters could really have been explored. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 by kitty love read free. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 book unit contains graphic organizers for an interactive notebook and game activities covering vocabulary, comprehension questions, constructive response writing, and skill practice.
A lot of the story parts and situations came from direct experience with his job. Describe three scenes in the novel that were not in the movie. The whole reason for them to go down to birmingham was to drop of byron because he was so out of hand. Enter the hilarious world of 10yearold kenny and his family, the weird watsons of flint, michigan. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 whole book test is a set of 50 multiplechoice questions covers the whole book and checks for basic comprehension. The watsons go to birmingham1963 kindle edition by curtis. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 is a historicalfiction novel by christopher paul curtis. Free teaching resources to use with the watsons go to. It was a bit slow in the beginning, just because it took so long to get into the main plot of the story. The weird watsons live in flint, michigan where the kids all go to clark elementary. The brown bomber is the watsons car, which they drive to birmingham, the third setting. That happened in the mid90s when christopher paul curtis released his first book, the watsons go to birmingham1963. An interview with christopher paul curtis duration. Create a storyboard comparing and contrasting the book and film version of the watsons go to birmingham.
I just recently read the book in my seventh grade reading class. Definitely a wonderful choice for readers of all ages. Download the watsons go to birmingham 1963 pdf ebook free. Kenny is the main character and narrator in the watsons go to birmingham 1963, but the book is not written in diary format. Dec 26, 2016 the watsons go to birmingham 1963 book unit contains graphic organizers for an interactive notebook and game activities covering vocabulary, comprehension questions, constructive response writing, and skill practice. In an impressive literary debut, christopher paul curtis recounts events in the life a 10yearold kenny watson, the middle child in a middleclass africanamerican family living in flint, michigan, in 1963. All these things make this book a very amazing and a very interesting book to read. The watsons go to birmingham1963 was curtis first novel for young readers. In the watsons go to birmingham1963 by christopher paul curtis, byron watson is the big brother to narrator kenny. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 bookfiles guide pdf. Most of these, however, occurred in birmingham with two horrific events that confused me a bit. A hilarious, touching, and tragic novel about civil rights and the impact of violence.
The main character, kenny, lives with his parents, older brother, and younger sister in a neighborhood and state for that matter that hasnt felt the repercussions of being a black family in the 60s. The hilarious world of a tenyearold kenny and his family, the weird watsons of flint michigan. The test does not require story interpretation, but it does require a detailed factual knowledge of the plot, events, characters, etc. Personally i thought the novel was a eyeopening, heartwarming, pageturning book. The book was basically about this ten year old boy named kenny and his family momma, dad, little sister joetta, and big brother byron taking a trip down to birmingham to see grandma sands.
The main focus is on byron and what effect the parenting approach has on the childs behavior. Byron watson in the watsons go to birmingham1963 byron watson kenny tells us right off the bat that byron is a juvenile delinquent, and that seems like a pretty accurate assessment for most of the novel. About six pages into the book the car is described as a 1948 plymouth that was dull brown and real big chapter 1. Christopher paul curtis the watsons go to birmingham is a literary work based on the sixteenth street baptist bombing in the year 1963 and shows a typical interaction within and outside the home. Book trailer for the watsons go to birmingham 1963 by christopher paul curtis. My favorite part of the watsons go to birmingham so far was when mama catches byron using matches and setting toys on fire and flushing them down the toilet. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 532 words bartleby. Jacqueline woodson, newbery honor and national book awardwinning author of brown girl. The book club novel guide outlines a complete themebased unit with book club lesson plans focusing on the watsons go to birmingham1963 book club for middle school discusses the watsons go to birmingham1963 within a themed multibook unit along with three other stories i know why the caged bird sings by maya. Written by christopher paul curtis in 1995, the story takes place in 1963 during the civil rights movement.
Enter the hilarious world of tenyearold kenny and his family, the weird watsons of flint, michigan. Theres momma, dad, little sister joetta, and brother byron, whos thirteen and an official juvenile. The question and answer section for the watsons go to birmingham 1963 is a great resource to. The watsons go to birmingham1963 by christopher paul. The narrator was very entertaining and the weird watsons were fun to get to know. When momma and dad decide its time for a visit to grandma, dad comes home with the amazing ultraglide, and the watsons set out on a trip like no other. Kenny is by turns fearful of and enthralled by his older brother byron, or by, who sometimes bullies kenny and sometimes treats him kindly, but always has adventures that draw kennys admiration. The watsons go to birmingham1963 newbery honor book. Apr 16, 2014 book trailer for the watsons go to birmingham 1963 by christopher paul curtis.
Theres momma, dad, little sister joetta, and brother byron, whos and an official juvenile delinquent. The watsons go to birmingham is a perfect book for nprs backseat book club in january. The watsons go to birmingham book and movie comparison. The main characters of this historical, historical fiction story are. Celebrate the 25th anniversary of this newbery and coretta scott king honoree about a hilarious family on a roadtrip at one of the most important.
The watsons go to birmingham 1963 summary gradesaver. Special classroom library books that deal with any of the themes mentioned above would be appropriate for a special classroom library while students are reading the watsons go to birmingham1963. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. In the watsons go to birmingham1963, what states do the watsons travel through. By byrons nickname is a tough guy, and he gets in trouble quite a bit. While working, he began drafting the watsons go to birmingham 1963. Jacqueline woodson, newbery honor and national book awardwinning author of brown girl dreaming. The characters had some depth, especially the byron character. We dont know for sure, but one thing we do know is that hate and cruelty become important themes in the book as the watsons story becomes wrapped up in the events of the civil rights movement. Kenny, our narrator, is in fourth grade, and their little sister joetta joey is in kindergarten. Describe three scenes in the movie that were not in the novel. The watsons go to birmingham1963 is an interesting historical fiction novel about a family that lives in michigan during the time. This book has the ability to entertain and inform young readers as the country remembers the civil rights.
Enter the world of tenyearold kenny and his family, the weird watsons of flint, michigan. Kenny watson, an african american boy, embarks on a few adventures, but the real major adventure is when the whole watson must go south to birmingham, alabama. The newbery honorwinning american classic, the watsons go to birmingham 1963, celebrates 20 years with this anniversary edition featuring a special letter from christopher paul curtis and an. Every so often a book becomes a modern classic almost as soon as it arrives on bookshelves. Illustrate each scene with appropriate characters, scenes, and items. The way the whole book was laid out was brilliant, all of the characters played such an important part in the novel. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 was overall my favorite book of 2016. Ken tries to make brother byron out to be a real juvenile delinquent, but he comes across as more of a comic figure. The first edition of the novel was published in january 1st 1995, and was written by christopher paul curtis. The watsons go to birmingham1963 introduction shmoop. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 by christopher paul curtis. Jan 01, 1995 the watsons go to birmingham 1963 is a great historical fiction book to read the author of this book is christopher paul curtis. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 by christopher paul curtis is the story about a family from flint, michigan told through son kennys eyes. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 book trailer youtube.
Whose larry in the watsons go to birmingham answers. Dec 20, 2011 the watsons go to birmingham is a perfect book for nprs backseat book club in january. See, at this point in time, theres a lot of hate flying around out there, and nobody has very. The watsons go to birmingham1963 is a great historical fiction book to read the author of this book is christopher paul curtis. What character traits does joetta have from the watsons. The question and answer section for the watsons go to birmingham 1963 is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. It won the newbery honor, which is pretty much the best prize you can get for childrens literature in the united states. The watsons go to birmingham1963 christopher paul curtis.
The book won both a newbery honor award and a coretta scott king honor award. The book shows you what it was like to be in an african american family in 1963 of the southern and northern parts of america. Planet book club novels the watsons go to birmingham1963. When momma and dad decided its time for a visit to grandma, dad comes home with the amazing ultraglide, and the watsons set out on a trip like. That happened in the mid90s when christopher paul curtis released his first book, the watsons go to birmingham 1963. The watsons go to birmingham1963 chapter 8 summary. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 questions and answers. 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. The following books and sites can be used to support and enrich the book club unit for the watsons go to birmingham1963 by christopher paul curtis.
Joetta watson, lovingly known as joey, is the youngest of the watson children, the family featured in the watsons go to birmingham, a childrens historicalfiction story. Pdf the watsons go to birmingham 1963 book by christopher. The newbery honorwinning american classic, the watsons go to birmingham 1963, celebrates 20 years with this anniversary edition featuring a special letter from christopher paul curtis and an more. Jun 25, 2018 the writer has written the watsons go to birmingham 1963. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 summary supersummary. Curtis debuts with a tenyearolds lively account of his teenaged brothers ups and downs. Theres momma, dad, little joetta, kenny, byron, whos thirteen and an official juvenile delinquent. Free download or read online the watsons go to birmingham 1963 pdf epub book. Birmingham, alabama is the final setting of the book. The watsons go to birmingham1963 by christopher paul curtisamy grif. Byron watson in the watsons go to birmingham1963 shmoop. When momma and dad decide its time for a visit to grandma, dad comes home with the amazing ultraglide, and the watsons head south to birmingham, alabama.
A 1996 newbery honor and coretta scott king honor book, this comic tale, narrated by a 10yearold boy, describes an eccentric familys unwitting trip south to visit grandmaduring one of the stormie. She threatens to burn his fingers, she asks joey to get a book of matches out of the kitchen, but she refuses,and so does kenny. Timing is everything, and in case you missed the title, the story takes place in 1963. This is not my book, but i have changed it a bit the hilarious world of a tenyearold kenny and his family, the weird watsons of flint michigan. What are the characteristics of byron watson in the watsons. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 watsons birmingham 11101 9. Byron is in sixth grade and hes the king of clark read, the bully everyone is afraid of. The watsons go to birmingham1963 by christopher paul curtis.
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