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readgeek29's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.25
ckeithjohnson's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic book. It tells a really good story, with engaging characters and very good character development. There are so many elements that make for teachable moments while reading. Subjects range from history (obviously) to author's craft.
kaitlinmaef's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kelcaro1's review against another edition
5.0
I have vivid memories of reading this book in my fifth grade reading class, that was taught by my mother. I remembered very little about it other than the fact that I loved it and this still holds true reading it know as an adult. It is a brilliant book that does not shy away from introducing difficult discussions to young readers and should be commended for doing so. It is an excellent book for any reader old or young.
jessicac424's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
cadunham's review against another edition
funny
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I just don’t like the book
ruwedanur's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
megpancoast's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
mariahistryingtoread's review
2.0
I've always had fond memories of The Watsons Go To Birmingham 1963, but I had an aversion to it because of something regarding the ending. I had a vague sense it was bad for reasons I couldn't completely recall. I had a similar feeling about Princess Academy which turned out to be a major disappointment upon my revisit. After re-reading this, I have come to the conclusion that my aversion stems from my child brain first beginning to realize books could be bad and not being able to articulate this fact at the time now manifesting as an irrational discomfort with the book overall.
The Watsons Go To Birmingham isn't a bad book merely an okay one. There isn't an overarching plot necessarily though there are some overarching elements that are built on. Most of the book is a series of snapshots on a Black family making it work in the 60s told from the perspective of ten year old whiz kid Kenny Watson.
I was amused most of the time though not particularly invested. It’s nice to see a strong Black family persevering and the anecdotes are charming. Kenny has a distinct voice that makes even the fairly normal everyday occurrences he relays feel special.
Christopher Paul Curtis captured the perplexity of childhood really well. Kenny is at that stage where he’s starting to realize how much about the world he does not know. It’s interesting seeing how certain events begin to evolve his mindset - you’re given a front row seat to his first steps into maturity. I don’t remember a lot of specifics in regards to how I thought about different topics when I was his age, however, there were definitely aspects of his thought process that felt very familiar. The details were murky, but the path was well trodden.
As I alluded to before, the book is not without its faults.
First off, while the book takes place in 1963, there are not many explicit references to racism in general or bigotry against the family in particular. There is enough that you definitely get the sense that things can be rough for them as a Black family in this time period, but it’s not especially steeped in Civil Rights or Black politics or Black culture of the time. Having read many other middle grade historical fiction books featuring Black protagonists I know for a fact Curtis could have included more actual history in a way that would still be age appropriate as well as enjoyable to read.
Secondly, the titular trip to Birmingham doesn’t even occur until 60% into the book. The synopsis leads you to believe it’s the bulk of the novel when it’s only a little under 30%. On top of that, the time spent in Birmingham is marred by a jarring tragedy that drastically shifts the story tonally. I would have been perfectly fine with this event since it was, unfortunately, an all too common occurrence for the era. However, given its severity it needed much more time to give it the grace and compassion it deserved to explore the fallout. It moved so quickly it felt like a plot device rather than the insight into the impact of a devastating act of violence from a child's point of view, it was meant to be.
Thirdly, there’s this weird sequence in relation to the above misfortune when the story veers into magical realism out of nowhere. Up until this point everything had been played 100% straight as a grounded, realistic family book. It was a bizarre change that ultimately undercuts the significance of the catastrophe that has just befallen the city. I understand that spirituality and inexplicable happenings are historically a significant part of Black cultural beliefs. I’m not disparaging the belief system - to each their own. The problem is that if it were supposed to be relevant to the climax then why wasn’t it peppered throughout? This goes back to the lack of quality time spent in Birmingham - if the book actually took place in Birmingham like the marketing suggests then the use of magical realism would be a great way to highlight the contrast between the two locations of Flint, Michigan and Birmingham.
An argument can be made that this was merely Curtis’ way of conveying Kenny’s trauma ie. through his suddenly fantastical interpretations. Except that only extends so far seeing as Joetta also confirms there is magic afoot and the family takes pains to shield her from reality.
I absolutely understand now why I was unconsciously repelled by the book despite some good memories. I went into this basically knowing the ending, but I always assumed that I was missing context or didn’t have the world experience to understand it. Imagine my shock revisiting as an adult when I found out there was no secret explanation. It really was just that awfully done. I can see now I was right to be put off.
I think this book certainly has its place. It’s still a middle grade staple when recommending books that center Black people or pivotal authors even now some 20 odd years later. It’s a decent read full of heart. It’s got some great themes about family, forgiveness, and maturing. I will forever be grateful to it for the representation it provided for me when whiteness in books went even more unchallenged than it does today. Also, I am fully aware that to a point it's a privilege to have the space to be critical of this book now.
That being said, I can’t ignore the misleading plot description, off pacing, and messy ending. I won’t say not to read The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963. There's a reason it's an enduring classic. I will say that Bud, Not Buddy holds up a lot better.
The Watsons Go To Birmingham isn't a bad book merely an okay one. There isn't an overarching plot necessarily though there are some overarching elements that are built on. Most of the book is a series of snapshots on a Black family making it work in the 60s told from the perspective of ten year old whiz kid Kenny Watson.
I was amused most of the time though not particularly invested. It’s nice to see a strong Black family persevering and the anecdotes are charming. Kenny has a distinct voice that makes even the fairly normal everyday occurrences he relays feel special.
Christopher Paul Curtis captured the perplexity of childhood really well. Kenny is at that stage where he’s starting to realize how much about the world he does not know. It’s interesting seeing how certain events begin to evolve his mindset - you’re given a front row seat to his first steps into maturity. I don’t remember a lot of specifics in regards to how I thought about different topics when I was his age, however, there were definitely aspects of his thought process that felt very familiar. The details were murky, but the path was well trodden.
As I alluded to before, the book is not without its faults.
First off, while the book takes place in 1963, there are not many explicit references to racism in general or bigotry against the family in particular. There is enough that you definitely get the sense that things can be rough for them as a Black family in this time period, but it’s not especially steeped in Civil Rights or Black politics or Black culture of the time. Having read many other middle grade historical fiction books featuring Black protagonists I know for a fact Curtis could have included more actual history in a way that would still be age appropriate as well as enjoyable to read.
Secondly, the titular trip to Birmingham doesn’t even occur until 60% into the book. The synopsis leads you to believe it’s the bulk of the novel when it’s only a little under 30%. On top of that, the time spent in Birmingham is marred by a jarring tragedy that drastically shifts the story tonally. I would have been perfectly fine with this event since it was, unfortunately, an all too common occurrence for the era. However, given its severity it needed much more time to give it the grace and compassion it deserved to explore the fallout. It moved so quickly it felt like a plot device rather than the insight into the impact of a devastating act of violence from a child's point of view, it was meant to be.
Thirdly, there’s this weird sequence in relation to the above misfortune when the story veers into magical realism out of nowhere. Up until this point everything had been played 100% straight as a grounded, realistic family book. It was a bizarre change that ultimately undercuts the significance of the catastrophe that has just befallen the city. I understand that spirituality and inexplicable happenings are historically a significant part of Black cultural beliefs. I’m not disparaging the belief system - to each their own. The problem is that if it were supposed to be relevant to the climax then why wasn’t it peppered throughout? This goes back to the lack of quality time spent in Birmingham - if the book actually took place in Birmingham like the marketing suggests then the use of magical realism would be a great way to highlight the contrast between the two locations of Flint, Michigan and Birmingham.
An argument can be made that this was merely Curtis’ way of conveying Kenny’s trauma ie. through his suddenly fantastical interpretations. Except that only extends so far seeing as Joetta also confirms there is magic afoot and the family takes pains to shield her from reality.
I absolutely understand now why I was unconsciously repelled by the book despite some good memories. I went into this basically knowing the ending, but I always assumed that I was missing context or didn’t have the world experience to understand it. Imagine my shock revisiting as an adult when I found out there was no secret explanation. It really was just that awfully done. I can see now I was right to be put off.
I think this book certainly has its place. It’s still a middle grade staple when recommending books that center Black people or pivotal authors even now some 20 odd years later. It’s a decent read full of heart. It’s got some great themes about family, forgiveness, and maturing. I will forever be grateful to it for the representation it provided for me when whiteness in books went even more unchallenged than it does today. Also, I am fully aware that to a point it's a privilege to have the space to be critical of this book now.
That being said, I can’t ignore the misleading plot description, off pacing, and messy ending. I won’t say not to read The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963. There's a reason it's an enduring classic. I will say that Bud, Not Buddy holds up a lot better.