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The Watsons Go to Birmingham: 1963 cover art

The Watsons Go to Birmingham: 1963

Written by: Christopher Paul Curtis
Narrated by: LeVar Burton
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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

What the critics say

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

What listeners say about The Watsons Go to Birmingham: 1963

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  • 2021-02-26

Full of emotion & humour

This story is many things - charming, funny, engaging, but also a call to action to fight for racial justice. Sad & infuriating that we still have to do this work.

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