The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Newbery and Coretta Scott King Honoree about an unforgettable family on a road-trip during one of the most important times in the civil rights movement.

When the Watson family--ten-year-old Kenny, Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and brother Byron--sets out on a trip south to visit Grandma in Birmingham, Alabama, they don't realize that they're heading toward one of the darkest moments in America's history. The Watsons' journey reminds us that even in the hardest times, laughter and family can help us get through anything.

"A modern classic." --NPR

"Marvelous . . . both comic and deeply moving." --The New York Times

"One of the best novels EVER." --Jacqueline Woodson, Newbery Honor and National Book Award-winning author of Brown Girl Dreaming

Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Published: 09/01/1995
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.79lbs
Size: 8.54h x 5.72w x 0.81d
ISBN: 9780385321754
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5
Point Value: 8
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 11552 / Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

Award: Black-Eyed Susan Award - Nominee
Award: Land of Enchantment Book Award - Winner

Review Citation(s):
Booklist 08/01/1995 pg. 1946
Publishers Weekly 10/16/1995 pg. 62
Kirkus Review - Children 10/01/1995 pg. 1426
New York Times 11/12/1995 pg. 23
School Library Journal 10/01/1995 pg. 152
NY Times Notable Bks of Year 01/01/1995 pg. 72
Booklist 02/15/1996 pg. 1006
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/1995 pg. 60 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style
Booklist 02/15/1998 pg. 999
ALA Best Books Young Adults 01/01/1996 pg. 1278
ALA Notable Children's Books 01/01/1996 pg. 1288
Booklist 06/01/2000 pg. 1875
School Library Journal 02/01/2000

About the Author
Christopher Paul Curtis won the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award for his bestselling second novel, Bud, Not Buddy. His first novel, The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963, was also singled out for many awards, and has been a bestseller in hardcover and paperback. His most recent novels for Random House include The Mighty Miss Malone, Mr. Chickee's Messy Mission, Mr. Chickee's Funny Money, and Bucking the Sarge.

Christopher Paul Curtis grew up in Flint, Michigan. After high school he began working on the assembly line at the Fisher Body Plant No. 1 while attending the Flint branch of the University of Michigan. He is now a full-time writer, and lives with his family in Windsor, Ontario.