The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963

Rating:
Summary: Shoot me, now!
Review: The Watsons may have gone to Birmingham, but the author seems to be afraid to tell of the horrors of racism that are supposed to be the main point of the book. I hardly kept awake through the eight full chapters it took before the Watsons actually went to Birmingham. The characters just aren't real. The ten year old narrator is like a 12 or 13 year old kid in the beginning, but in the end comes off as being someone who can't understand the concept of death. The brother character-Byron goes through a metamorphosis that actually has some realism. Byron's transformation, and a few laughs the book gives, are the only things that make this book even O.K. The bombing of the church and the family's reaction to it, is poor. The bombing incident, based on the 1963 bombing of a Baptist Church in Birmingham that killed four people, just doesn't cut it. I recommend it only to fourth or fifth graders, or those who have spent much time imprisoned or in a cave. An hour of reading this book is equivalent to five hours of dental surgery. Lauren Ingram-8th grader at Mason County Middle School.

Rating:
Summary: Great and Exciting Book
Review: This book is told through the eyes of ten year old Kenny Watson. He explains about his family, dad, mom, "Big Bad" older brother Byron, little sister Joey, and life in Flint, Michigan. When dad brings home the magnificient Ultra Glide for the Brown Bomber, the parents tell Byron, Kenny and Joey that they are going home to Birmingham, Alabama where Grandma Sands lives, and that Byron will be spending the summer there. A few days after arriving in Alabama, they witness a church bombing. You will have to read the book to find out what happens. Colyn Courtney, Mason County Middle School, 8th grade

Rating:
Summary: From a pleased reader in Kentucky
Review: I liked this book because the author, an adult, did an excellent job of narrating the story through a child's eyes. Because of this, it is easier for all ages to relate to the events. Although the setting of the book was the 1960's, we can still see a lot of similarities in our world today. This book deals with a lot of different issues that we all have to face sooner or later and gives us a positive way of dealing with them, from having a borderline juvenille delinquent such as Byron in the family, to having a dad such as Daniel who always tries to be funny, to a mother such as Wilona who talks real "Southern," and to having barely escaped death such as ten year old Kenny and his younger sister Joetta. A tear-jerking, yet hilarious novel, this book is one I recommend especially for eight to twelve year olds to read. Kathy Peterson-Mason County Middle School-8th grade

Rating:
Summary: An Outstanding Novel
Review: This book is outstanding as well as an interesting novel. The book tells about an average Black family living in the North. There are five people in the Watson family. The oldest, Byron, is the cool big brother of Kenny the narrator of the story, and Joetta is the innocent baby girl. Mr. and Mrs. Watson decide to send Byron to his grandmother's in Birmingham, Alabama. While there, they encounter tragedy. To find out what tragedy, read THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM- 1963. Jamey Harding-Mason County Middle School-8th grade

Rating:
Summary: Good book for everyone!
Review: This was an incredible book with a wonderful introduction that made you want to keep reading. This book is a book for everyone. It has funny, touching, and sad parts. The best thing about this book is how Daddy Cool (Byron) who is boderline delinquent, changes and is not such an egotistical brat. Byron forms a special bond of friendship and understanding with Kenny, the ten year old narrator. Again, I would recommend this book for anyone and everyone. Katie Anderson-8th grader at Mason County Middle School

Rating:
Summary: A very good book
Review: Overall the book was very good. Ten year old Kenny Watson narrates the story from his point of view. When their father Daniel comes home one day with the amazing Ultra-Glide and announces the Watsons are going to Birmingham to visit Grandma Sands, the children Kenny, Joey, and Byron are excited; until they find out "juvenille delinquent Byron" has to stay. Not knowing what was going to happen, they witness the bombing of the church where Joey went to Sunday school that morning. Is she alright? You won't know unless you read this book. Rachel Furby-Mason County Middle School-8th grade

Rating:
Summary: Good book
Review: This book is about a family living in Flint, Michigan who are having difficulty with their son Byron. Byron is fascinated with starting fires and seems to always be getting in trouble. The book is pretty good and a little funny. I recommend it to middle school students. Wade Cloyd-Mason County Middle School-8th grade

Rating:
Summary: Worth Your Time
Review: In this book, the family experiences both sad and happy moments. The family is an African- American family in the 1960's living in Flint, Michigan. Each of the three Watson children experience significant events that happen in their lives. Because of their "juvenille delinquent" brother, Byron, they decide to make a trip to "safe" Birmingham, Alabama. While they are there, the family experiences the famous church bombing that killed four young girls. I recommend this book because of the various events that happened in an African-American family. Meredith Rains, 8th grader at Mason County Middle School

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: I thought this book was really good. Byron was my favorite character overall. He had an attitude that kept you going and wanting to read the next chapter. I was confused in the last chapters especially about the "Wool Pooh", but my teacher explained it and I then understood it better. The epilogue helps you realize all of the many heroic people that died in the struggle for civil rights. Christina Gauthier, Mason County Middle School, Grade 8

Rating:
Summary: An interesting, good, and informing book
Review: This is a very good book to read. It is about this family that has a teenage boy named Byron who is considered a delinquent. He was getting in to too much trouble so the the family decides to take a trip to Birmingham, Alabama to leave Byron with Grandma. When they get there it wasn't like what they expected it to be. They were there when the terrible bombing of the 16th Avenue Baptist Church occurred. Terrence Commodore, 8th grade, Mason County Middle School