About this title: Nine-year-old Kenny narrates this story about his middle-class, African-American family and their 1963 trip from Flint, Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama. The trip's purpose is two-fold--to visit their grandmother, and to get Kenny's older brother away from the rough crowd he has been running with. Sadly, racism rears its ugly head as the family travels through the South, eventually culminating in the bombing of Kenny's grandmother's church while his younger sister and many others are inside.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Scholastic
Date Published: 1998
ISBN-13:9780590690140ISBN:0590690140
Description: Good. Spine is creased. Covers show wear at the edges and corners. Good reading copy. Binding is Trade Paperback. Pages tanning. Used books may have price stickers. Most orders ship on the next business day. read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Yearling Books
Date Published: 1997
ISBN-13:9780440414124ISBN:0440414121
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Cover shows light wear, small ink mark on front cover, 2 words inside front cover, pages unmarked. Audience: Children/juvenile. read more
Description: Very Good. 044022800X 100% guaranteed. Very good shape with a tight spine, clean cover, sharp corners, clean pages, and little wear. We work hard to make you happy. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Scholastic
Date Published: 1998
ISBN-13:9780590690140ISBN:0590690140
Description: Good. -7th Print--210 pages. Interior-flawless. The covers have light signs of aging. -Publish Place: New York-Size: 12mo-over 6¾"-7¾" tall. read more
"This is the first audio book I've ever listened to. I really enjoyed it. The first half of the story takes place in Flint, MI and describes very relatable events that children go through. The siblings get into many arguments and pull some very typical practical jokes. Many students will be able to relate to situations in the home, school, and neighborhood and, of course, to the cold weather that is so accurately and humorously described. Students will need some background knowledge on the time period and historical events that take place. It would be helpful to have a timeline so that students can place the events they usually refer to like the death of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks in the context of the events in this story. I would have loved to have even more historical information throughout the book made more explicitly."
"Ten year old Kenny and his family, are the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan. In the family there's Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, Kenny, and Byron, Kenny's older brother, who, at thirteen, is an "official juvenile delinquent." Mr. and Mrs. Watson decide that tough guy, older brother Byron must be removed from the bad influences of the city and his gang. They feel that his maternal grandmother and a different way of life in Birmingham might make him appreciate what he has. They load up the car and head off to Birmingham for the summer. When the Watsons arrive in Alabama, they find themselves caught up in something far more serious than dealing with a mildly delinquent adolescent. Racists bomb Grandma's church, and Kenny's little sister is feared dead. Kenny, who witnessed what happened, sinks into depression and believes that only magic, can heal him. But when his parents don't know how to help him, he finds comfort in the words of the person he least expected.
This story focuses on the strength of family love and endurance.
This book is recommended for students in fifth grade and up."
"Kenny Watson's has a brother, Byron, who is getting into trouble all the time. From stealing food to playing with matches to getting his lips stuck to a frozen car, Byron is a typical teenager. Soon, his parents have had enough of Byron's "nonsense" and drive the whole family to Birmingham, Alabama, to have Byron live with his grandmother for the summer. But what the Watson family encounters in Birmingham will change their lives forever.
I liked the levels of this book, from the funny moments to the sober moments, and also gives a lot of good opportunities for discussion. Also, Levar Burton reads the audio version and does a fantastic job! A great listen for all ages!"
"This book was very different than what I expected. The reviews say it is about the bombing incident at the 16th St. Baptist church in Alabama in 1963, and it is in part; but the bombing doesn't happen until page 183 and there are only 206 pages in the book. The story is REALLY about a family and their admitted quirkiness. There are really funny scenes that are so inherent to African American culture. The characters are very live and funny.
I had a few problems with the book. Byron was supposed to be left in Alabama because of his behavior problems. Unless I missed it, Byron returns to Michigan with no explanation.
In the last 20 pages, the book departs from what it seemed to be. There is a first person near drowning where the protagonist sees his sister as his angel. Then when his sister is saved from the bomb, it is attributed to a paranormal/angel interference--which justly leaves the protagonist so shaken, that he basically lives behind the couch in the living room until his brother helps him resolve his issues.
Overall the characterization was fun--that the bottom dropped out for me at the end, did not interfere with it as an enjoyable reading experience."
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