Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
Illustrator: Jacket photograph by: FPG International
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Subgenre: Realistic/Historical Fiction
Themes: family relationships, 1960's and racism, misbehaviors, friendships and learning lessons
Primary and Secondary Characters: Kenny Watson, Byron Watson, Joey (Joetta) Watson, Wilona Watson, Daniel Watson, the Brown Bomber, Buphead, Rufus, Cody, Grandma Sands and Mr. Robert
Awards: Coretta Scott King Honoree 1996, Newbery Honoree 1996
Date of Publication: 1995
Publishing Company: Delacorte Press
Summary:
The Watsons are from Flint, Michigan and it is normal to wear seven layers of clothing. This story is from the view point of Kenny, who is the middle child of the Watson family. His older brother, Byron, is a huge trouble maker and regularly picks on his little brother. Byron and his best friend, Buphead, are the two biggest bullies in the school and even Kenny gets a handful of the teasing. Byron is constantly getting trouble by his parents for playing with matches, picking on Kenny, coloring his hair and last but not least for not behaving at school. Joetta or "Joey" is the youngest of the three and she is the only hope sometimes of getting Byron out of trouble. She doesn't like to see her parents upset so she always begs them not to get angry with him. However, Wilona (the mom) can only take so much. After Byron colors his hair, his father shaves it off and they come up with the ultimate resolution to put Byron in his place. They decide to take the family to Birmingham, Alabama where daily activities are completely different. There's country life where fishing and hunting are a big deal, it's warm and that's where Grandma Sands and Mr. Robert live! Kenny, Byron and Joey were a little terrified of their grandma because she is strict and stubborn. Byron is to stay with her for the rest of the summer or until she felt like he was straightened out. After being in Birmingham, a catastrophe occurred with Joey so the visit was cut short. After being back home, Byron had changed while they had gone to Birmingham. Byron forms a better relationship with his family and everyone stops taking each other for granted.
How it will be used in the classroom:
This would be a great book to have with a classroom of fifth or sixth graders. I think this could be a very relatable book for those who have been bullied and it shows the importance of not bullying, as there are consequences that are shown in the book. I really think students could be able to take the underlined message out of this book to relate to their own personal lives inside or outside the classroom.
This would be a great book to have with a classroom of fifth or sixth graders. I think this could be a very relatable book for those who have been bullied and it shows the importance of not bullying, as there are consequences that are shown in the book. I really think students could be able to take the underlined message out of this book to relate to their own personal lives inside or outside the classroom.
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