by Christopher Paul Curtis
Kenny Watson, his brother Byron (By), his sister Joetta (Joey), and his parents live in freezing Flint, Michigan. Kenny is quite intelligent and makes good choices. By, on the other hand, has been held back in school, gets into lots of trouble, and often takes advantage of Kenny. As a result, By is going to live with his Grandma Sands in Birmingham for the summer so that she can try to straighten him out. When Kenny runs into trouble at Collier's Landing and then goes into shock after a devastating racially prejudice event, By's actions are surprising and touching.
This historical fiction novel accurately portrays what life was like for a family with black skin in both the midwest and southeast in 1963. For the first eight chapters the Watsons are in Michigan. Author Christopher Paul Curtis develops the characters, as well as their relationships, by sharing numerous humorous episodes from their lives. Once the Watsons arrive in Alabama, the mood begins to shift as the family encounters various serious challenges. Curtis does an outstanding job portraying the maturation of By in a natural and believable way. Kenny's mental anguish after two terrifying episodes is realistic, making this book an excellent resource for developing empathy and as a vicarious experience for readers (target audience of age ten and up).
🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮🕮
Author, Christopher Paul Curtis' website: http://www.nobodybutcurtis.com/
Interview with Curtis:
Book trailer:
Fast facts about the actual 1963 Birmingham church bombing:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/13/us/1963-birmingham-church-bombing-fast-facts/index.html
Movie trailer:
