By Colby S. (6 Grader)
Book Title: The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963
Number of Pages: 224 pages
Book Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
Title
The author chose this particular title for the book because it was the title of the book Kenny’s mom used to plan their trip to Birmingham, Alabama. This is significant because the main part of the story is when they go to Birmingham.
Summary
Kenny Watson and his family live in Flint, Michigan, where Kenny goes to school. One day a new kid named Rufus comes and Kenny quickly makes friends with him. His older brother, Byron, kisses a mirror and gets his lip stuck, dyes his hair and becomes bald, and gets in trouble for using matches. As Kenny’s dad gets a new CD player for the car, his parents reveal that, for his punishment, the Watsons go to Birmingham, Alabama. The mom plans for Byron to stay with Grandma Sands, a strict relative. When they come back Rufus stops playing with him because he accidentally laughed at him. He tells his mom and gets everything back under control.
Scene
My favorite scene takes place in Flint, Michigan. It is the scene where Byron becomes “Lipless Wonder.” I like it because I have never seen someone get stuck from kissing a mirror. After all, it doesn’t snow here in California. Also, I think it is funny because Byron deserved it.
Character
Byron is the most interesting character because he always gets in trouble and pays in the weirdest ways possible. For example, when Byron dyes his hair, he is shaved clean with no chance of finding his hairline again. Also, he is considered “god” in his school and causes a lot of trouble being a bully.
Conflict and Resolution
The protagonist, Kenny Watson, has to overcome going to Alabama’s dangerous rushing rivers, African American hate, and getting back to his friend.
First, when Mr. Robert, a dear friend of Grandma Sands, leads them to Collier Landing, no one wants to go into the river with Kenny. Byron warns him of the Wool Pooh, which he mistakes for a “whirlpool”, but he still goes. As he goes in the water, the “Wool Pooh” starts dragging him into the water. Underwater he starts hallucinating about angels and dark creatures until he overcomes this obstacle because Byron pulls him out.
Second, when his little sister Joey goes to Sunday school, the school is bombed. Hearing this news, Byron tells Kenny this and they both hurry to the church. Over there, Kenny furiously looks for Joey and sees children in red, both have been laid down by their crying parents. Kenny imagines Joey in that situation. Going back to Grandma Sands place, he sees Joey, who clams she saw him leading her out.
Third, when Kenny arrives home from Alabama, Kenny accidentally laughs at Rufus and in return, Rufus ghosts him. When Kenny told his mom, his mom had a talk with Rufus and they got together again.
