The Watsons Go to Birmingham: 1963

By: Christopher Paul Curtis

Narrated by: LeVar Burton

Length: 4 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

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

©1995 Christopher Paul Curtis (P)1996 Random House, Inc., Listening Library, An Imprint of Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic reviews

AN ALA TOP TEN BEST BOOK

AN ALA NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK

AN IRA YOUNG ADULT'S CHOICE

A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW BEST BOOK

NAMED TO MULTIPLE STATE AWARD LISTS

"This is a book that changes lives. It certainly changed mine."—Kate DiCamillo, two-time Newbery Medalist

"I identify with so much in Christopher Paul Curtis's engrossing classic, The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963."—David Barclay Moore, winner of the Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award for New Talent

"An exceptional first novel."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

Amazing Book!

I was a little girl when all this happened so I don’t remember it. But this book really brought alive what was going on in America at that time.

Great book

Where does The Watsons Go to Birmingham: 1963 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

10

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kenny.

Which scene was your favorite?

Byron getting his lips stuck.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Weird Watsons Go to Birmingham

Any additional comments?

This was a good book. Read it with my fifth graders and they love it.

Beautiful and Heartbreaking!

I cannot begin to word just how much I love this book. Read it the first time when I was in middle school and looking back I did not realize the impact it should of had on me once I listened to it again. I almost cried in so many moments and LeVar Burton did a phenomenal job! Not only was he able to project the children’s characters but you could hear the pain and sadness in his voice as he read about the bombing and the aftermath.

I love this book

The reson I love this book , this book has book has so many special meanings

💗This book rocks.💗

This book is better than any other book I have read,
I would recommend this book for ages 9-13! Teachers should read this book to there kids. 💖READ💖

Great Reading

What did you love best about The Watsons Go to Birmingham: 1963?

I loved the animated voice of the reader and the music that accompanied the reading

Who was your favorite character and why?

Byron was my favorite character because of his good heart and ability to constantly get into trouble.

What about LeVar Burton’s performance did you like?

He read the book wonderfully; it was almost acted out.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Birmingham Church Bombing from a child's point of view

Any additional comments?

I would have appreciated chapter stops.

Loved it

I Loved the book so much that I REEEEEAAAAALLY WANT another new
book of The Watsons Go To Birmingham. Like The Watsons Go To Birmingham 2 or something else like that. So this is my favorite book of all time.

Heartfelt

This story was well written and incredibly heartfelt— allows you to have a first hand experience in the Civil Rights Movement.

Classic that needs to be read!

This should be in the hands of every 6th grade student in America. The themes of family, friends, growing up, racism, and trauma are so prevalent in young teens that using a book like Watson’s can give credence to this thing called life and how it can be harsh and gentle at the same time. It will open up the discussion of what is and isn’t acceptable in regards to human interactions with those who are different than you. We must not be afraid to talk about the differences and how they can make us a more unique group of humans if we would learn to accept each other for who we are as humans. Lavar Burton does a FANTASTIC job and students respond to his narration likes ducks to water. They couldn’t get enough of it.

Watsons go to Birmingham

This is such a good book! I loved it so much and rather character Kenny was so relatable! Great job reading the. Book too!