the watsons go to birmingham 1963

reader response: The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

I read this over Christmas break and absolutely loved it. My friend and fellow thirsty poet has a poem which includes these "4 little girls." I'm glad I actually know what he's talking about now. Curtis definitely shows an interesting voice in this novel. It truly reminds me of the bluest eye and i know why the caged bird sings. I must admit that the voice in Af. Am. lit is one of the most profound. I think it hits very close to home for some americans.... anyone who's ever been subject to or subjected someone to racism.

I love kenny. I use the words of lisa simpson in saying the book is told from the perspective of "the poor, overlooked, middle-child" who tells a hilarious story. I would have been a middle child. Unfortunately, my mother had a still birth. I always wondered what it would have been like to have an older sister.... but i am that older sister. i wasn't quite as cruel as byron.... but i think i would've liked to take a greater advantage of my sister. ahhhh.. the sibling rivalry was wonderful at my house. now that my brother and i have grown up, we actually appreciate each other.

The images, the language, and description (not to mention the chapter titles) are so hilarious that I didn't even see the end of the story coming. the ending of this story hit me like a mack truck. I had no clue that this would be about a church bombing. I like that though. that juxtaposition. it amplifies the horror of the bombing even more. our society is so jaded that we don't really think about these things. I think that this juxtaposition of humor and horror really helped me to feel what those people felt then. I was terrified.... like i had suddenly been ripped out of one of the best places on earth and dropped into hell. It's even more terrifying because it's still happening today.

I think this would be an excellent foundation for a black history month unit plan. I would incorporate other works if I could perhaps written from a female perspective like bluest eye or caged bird- but those are a little mature. this book is more for 6-8th graders... although i think that seniors would have a field day with this because of the political and historical aspects. I really think the language is so universal that anyone over 12 would be able to read it and think it funny (especially anyone with an older brother).