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alphawolfe13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Hate crime, Child death, Death, Violence, and Racism
jessuly's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Violence
emileesbooks's review against another edition
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
cyrinw98's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Published: 1995
Page Length: 224
Audiobook Length: 5 hours
Audiobook Narrator: Levar Butler
The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 is the debut children’s historical fiction novel written by Flint, Michigan-born author Christopher Paul Curtis and It was published in 1995. This novel focuses on The Weird Watsons of Flint, specifically the three children: 13-year-old Byron, 10-year-old Kenneth aka Kenny, and 5-year-old Joetta aka Joey.
The story is narrated by Kenny and a majority of it focuses on his and Byron’s adventures with Byron’s behavioral problems being the main subject. From bullying to stealing, Byron has done it all. It is then decided by Daniel and Wilona(the parents) that it is time for the family to take a trip to Alabama to visit Grandma Sans where if things don't go well Byron may spend the entire school year.
The book was short, sweet, emotional, and entertaining. The author did a phenomenal job of creating the children’s voices and showcasing their personalities and relationships with each other throughout the novel. I liked the way the author talked about the racism that Black people experienced during this time and I think he wove in the historical event( the 1963 bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church) well. He showcased Kenny’s grief and emotional turmoil perfectly too. The characters are all pretty well-written, they are very human and even if you don't like some of them you do understand them. Overall, a good book for the specified age group.
Page Length: 224
Audiobook Length: 5 hours
Audiobook Narrator: Levar Butler
The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 is the debut children’s historical fiction novel written by Flint, Michigan-born author Christopher Paul Curtis and It was published in 1995. This novel focuses on The Weird Watsons of Flint, specifically the three children: 13-year-old Byron, 10-year-old Kenneth aka Kenny, and 5-year-old Joetta aka Joey.
The story is narrated by Kenny and a majority of it focuses on his and Byron’s adventures with Byron’s behavioral problems being the main subject. From bullying to stealing, Byron has done it all. It is then decided by Daniel and Wilona(the parents) that it is time for the family to take a trip to Alabama to visit Grandma Sans where if things don't go well Byron may spend the entire school year.
The book was short, sweet, emotional, and entertaining. The author did a phenomenal job of creating the children’s voices and showcasing their personalities and relationships with each other throughout the novel. I liked the way the author talked about the racism that Black people experienced during this time and I think he wove in the historical event( the 1963 bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church) well. He showcased Kenny’s grief and emotional turmoil perfectly too. The characters are all pretty well-written, they are very human and even if you don't like some of them you do understand them. Overall, a good book for the specified age group.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing and Violence
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