Set #4: The Watson's go to Birmingham

The "weired Watsons" are an African-American family living in Flint, MI in 1963. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have 3 children: Kenny, Byron, and Joetta. Kenny is in fourth grade and having typical fourth grade problems: bullying, and finding friends. Byron is a bully and whose behavior is getting him in increasing trouble. When he is caught with chemically straightened hair his father shaves his head and decides it is time for the family to spend some time with his no nonsense mother:Grandma Sands. As the Watson family heads south they in counter the effects of Jim Crow. After a near death swimming experience where Kenny is rescued by Byron, things begin to turn around. Tragically, a bomb goes off at their church killing several girls. The family panics thinking Joetta is one of the girls. Joetta is spared as she had come home early. Kenny had ran home when he heard the explosion and is wracked with guilt over his apparent cowardice. Kenny finally comes to terms with his behavior and emerges older and wiser. This story has its roots in the actual bombing event that happened during the summer of 1963 and was one of the galvanizing events of the civil rights movement. Mr. Curtis paints a realistic setting of a different time that was not that long ago. His heartfelt depiction of this family reveal the similarities of all families without the use of stereotypes. While this story is set 50 years ago the events rival events happening currently around the world.