Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963

The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963
frogslady avatar reviewed on + 92 more book reviews


This is a YA story about a family who lives in Flint, MI, and travels to Birmingham to visit relatives. They are there during a disturbing racist act, and the story does make one think. Of course I read the title and the cover, and so I was suprised that they don't actually go to Birmingham until the book is almost over. There is a lot of development to have a background of why they go to Birmingham and on reflection this is a strength of the writing, but I just kept waiting for them to take the trip! This is a good example of a historical fiction novel; I have often felt I learn more history through a good historical fiction novel, and the set up of the normal family interactions helps the reader to understand the way horror can intrude into familiar people's lives.