While the Watson family is fictional, characters and events in the novel are based on Curtis’ childhood in Flint. Like the narrator of the story, Curtis was also ten years old in 1963, and he remembers his parents’ involvement in civil rights demonstrations during that time.
Is The Watsons Go to Birmingham fiction or nonfiction?
Parents need to know that Christopher Paul Curtis’ The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963 is a striking work of fiction, set during the U.S. civil rights movement. The novel is narrated by 10-year-old Kenny Watson, the middle child in a Black family that relocated from Birmingham, Alabama, to Flint, Michigan.
What inspired the Watsons Go to Birmingham?
The Watsons Go to Birmingham was inspired by a road trip to Florida that Curtis’s family took when his sister-in-law moved to Florida.
What historical event happened in The Watsons Go to Birmingham?
A beautiful yet tragic coming-of-age story, The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963, shows how a young boy, Kenny, is traumatized after witnessing the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
Who Is The Watsons Go to Birmingham dedicated to?
Because Watsons borrows from the historical bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, the author dedicates the book to the four girls who actually died in that attack.
How did The Watsons Go to Birmingham died?
That’s a tough set of lessons for anyone, right? Especially for a ten-year-old. But unfortunately, that’s just what Kenny and the rest of the Watsons are in for. First the mourning dove dies, then Kenny nearly drowns, then the bomb at the church kills four little girls.
How old is Kenny in The Watsons Go to Birmingham?
10-year-old
Kenneth (Kenny) Watson
A 10-year-old boy who is the narrator and protagonist of the novel, and the middle child of the Watson family. Kenny is a smart and empathetic fourth grader who sometimes gets picked on because of his love of reading, and his lazy eye.
Why did Jane Austen stop writing the Watsons?
While Austen eventually wrote other novels, she never completed The Watsons, though the manuscript features extensive revisions. The subject matter likely became too personal for her, as the Watson patriarch was supposed to die, casting his daughters in an uncertain position (more on that later).
What do the Watsons call their car?
When we read the words Brown Bomber, the first thing we think of sure isn’t a car. After all, Shmoop’s car is just named Wendy.
Who is the oldest in the Watsons Go to Birmingham?
Byron
Byron is the oldest of the Watson children, and Kenny introduces him: “Byron has just turned thirteen so he was officially a teenage juvenile delinquent” (Curtis, 1995, p. 2).
Who drowned in the Watsons Go to Birmingham?
The Wool Pooh
In chapter 13 of The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963, middle-brother Kenny is the one who disobeys his Grandma Sands and ends up almost losing his life.
Who caused the damage at the church Watsons Go to Birmingham?
The damage to the church was intentionally caused by men who disagreed with the civil rights movement. Q. The Watsons call the area under the stairs the Watson Pet Hospital.
Who changed the most in the Watsons Go to Birmingham?
Byron
Byron 2.0: New and Improved
Byron definitely changes more than anyone in Watsons. By the end of the story, he barely resembles his former delinquent self, and Shmoop is pretty glad about that. Byron’s final transformation comes about when he thinks Joey died in the church.
What is the Watsons surname?
Watson is a patronymic surname of English and Scottish origin. It means “son of Walter”: the popular Old English given names “Wat” or “Watt” were diminutive forms of the name “Walter”. In 2015, Watson was the 46th most common surname in England and the 19th most common in Scotland.
What happens at the end of The Watsons Go to Birmingham?
The Watsons’ physical journey has ended, but the emotional journey is far from over—especially for Kenny. Kenny withdraws from the family; he hides behind the couch and won’t talk to anyone about what he saw in the church or how he’s feeling. That is, until his heart-to-heart with Byron in the bathroom.
Who gave Joey an angel in The Watsons Go to Birmingham?
Mrs. Davidson
Preparations for the trip continue, and one day, their neighbor, Mrs. Davidson, comes over to give Joey a going-away present. It’s an angel—Mrs. Davidson says it reminds her of Joey.
Why does Kenny Think Joey died?
He says he thought Joey was dead. He confesses that he’s ashamed of himself; that’s what he’s learned from all the time he spent in the Pet Hospital. He’s ashamed because Byron saved him, but when Kenny thought the Wool Pooh had Joey, he just ran away instead of fighting for her.
What was Kenny waiting for?
Melinda asks why Kenny is there, and he tells her that he is waiting for him mommy. He says that if he ever got lost then he should stay where he is and she’ll find him.
Why did joetta leave the church who saved her?
Joetta explains that she left the church because she was so hot. Then she saw Kenny wave to her so she chased him down the street! The boy Joetta saw was not actually Kenny though.
What is Joetta’s nickname?
Joetta is nicknamed Joey. She is the sister of Byron and Kenny. She is a well-mannered young lady. Joetta is considered a big cry baby because whenever Byron gets in trouble she cries and begs her parents not to hurt him.
How old is Byron Watson?
13-year-old
A 13-year-old boy who has been held back in school, Byron constantly gets in trouble for breaking rules. He and his friend Buphead often play mean tricks on Kenny, but Byron also looks out for Kenny.