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

Captivating Funny Tear Jerker

I enjoyed listening to this book on a 6 Hour road trip with my son. There were many teachable moments, funny antics and heartwarming events to remind us of the fragility of life and the importance of kindness..
Tears were an abundance from either laughing at Byron’s antics or tears of sadness from poignant moments. We loved it!

Great book But it was fiction which is sad

it was a great book and was very detailed. but it was a fictional book which is a sadness because I really like non- fiction. there is also parts that are non-fiction though. which makes me happy.

Can only say great things!

Can only say great things! I thoroughly enjoyed it. The performance was great! Well worth it

Segregation through the eyes of a child

Great perceptive of segregation. However, some parts confusing to a young reader who cannot recognize author's craft.

Required reading but not too bad

I was required to "read" this book for a college level children's literature class. Usually when I'm assigned required reading I expect to be bored to tears because the books professors tend to pick are not often the types of books I prefer. However, this book wasn't bad. Along with "Alas Babylon" (required for another class) this was one of the better books I've been assigned. I was glad to see LaVar Burton as the narrator. I love his voice. It brought back so many memories of watching Reading Rainbow as a kid. His voice always sounds so relaxing and gentle. I feel like I'm curled up in front of a cozy fire no matter where I am when I hear him read. LaVar also has excellent diction and he utilizes pauses very well. He might not do voices like other narrators, but for this book it was just fine with me.

The story was also good. I wasn't able to relate to it completely or clearly judge it's realness because I'm not old enough to have experienced these events & others like it, I live in the North, and I'm white. That being said, I feel like it did give me a decent glimpse into what this family felt and experienced in both Flint, Michigan & Birmingham, Alabama at that time in history. It was interesting to see how children might have dealt with experiencing major civil rights events, how they worked out those emotions & logic in their own mind, and how they related it to what was happening in their own lives at the time.

All in all I think it's a good story & worth the listen, for kids & even an adult like me. :)

The Music Took Away from the Ending

This is a beautiful book. It’s funny, heart-felt, touching, and delves into man’s inhumanity to man, both in the bullying on the playground and the terrible bombing of a Birmingham church during the volatile 1960’s. Lavar Burton does a wonderful job narrating, and the music didn’t detract from the story…until the end. Having read this book before, I was so looking forward to the emotional impact of this ending. But the music somehow blunted that most beautiful part of this book. Otherwise, fantastic!

Historical fiction at its best

This novel will capture the interest of all ages but should be especially interesting to young adult. Great for a middle school book club or a unit on the civil rights era. The author keeps your attention with fun details and brings the reality of being a young black man in the early 60s alive

EXCELLENT!

Loved it! My Fifth grade class couldn't put this book down! A must read for all ages.

Not to be missed

This book richly deserves the Newbery honor it earned and the story and its characters will stay with one long after finishing. Accomplished actor and host of "Reading Rainbow" LeVar Burton brings the novel to warm and full life. All we could ask for is a sequel, and then another....

Excellent Narration and Story

This is the eighth year I have read The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 with my sixth-grade students. I always start out with using audible for chapter 1. My students enjoy listening to the music at the beginning, which gets them interested right off the bat. This story is an excellent read for Black History Month. I have to admit that I have always been a fan of LaVar Burton. It is a plus that he is narrating this story. His use of expression and inflection is great.