Bibliographic Information:
Curtis, C. P. (1995). The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963. New York: Delacorte Press.
Readability Level: 5.5
Audience Level: Grades 6-8
Suggested Delivery: independent or group read
Summary: "Enter the hilarious world of ten-year-old Kenny and his family, the Werid Watsons of Flint, Michigan. There's Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and brother Byron, who's thirteen and an "official juvenile delinquent." When Momma and Dad decide it's time for a visit to Grandma, Dad comes home with the amzing Ultra-Glide, and the Watsons set out on trip like no other. They're heading South. They're going to Birmingham, Alabama, toward one of the darkest moments in America's history." -Back of Book
Curtis, C. P. (1995). The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963. New York: Delacorte Press.
Readability Level: 5.5
Audience Level: Grades 6-8
Suggested Delivery: independent or group read
Summary: "Enter the hilarious world of ten-year-old Kenny and his family, the Werid Watsons of Flint, Michigan. There's Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and brother Byron, who's thirteen and an "official juvenile delinquent." When Momma and Dad decide it's time for a visit to Grandma, Dad comes home with the amzing Ultra-Glide, and the Watsons set out on trip like no other. They're heading South. They're going to Birmingham, Alabama, toward one of the darkest moments in America's history." -Back of Book
Curriculum Connections:
Taken from Scholastic Book Files
Taken from Scholastic Book Files
- In his epilogue, Christopher Paul Curtis writes aboutheroes, “the boys and girls, the women and men who have seenthat things are wrong and have not been afraid to ask ‘Why can’twe change this?’” Do you know any heroes? Ask your friends andclassmates who their heroes are.
- The Watsons play music on theirnew record player—the True-Tone AB-700, Ultra-Glide—all theway to Birmingham. Momma likes “Under the Boardwalk,” butKenny prefers “Yakety Yak.” Are there any special songs thatyou listen to when you’re feeling down or when you’re in a greatmood? Make a music mix tape or CD of these songs and copy itfor your friends. Ask them to do the same and find out whatsongs are important to them.
- Curtis uses many colloquial(informal and conversational) expressions and words in hiswriting. As you read, write down some of the differentexpressions. Try to figure out what the character means fromthe context in which the expression was used and from othercharacters’ reactions. If you can find a dictionary of regionalsayings, that might be helpful to you.