What is the main idea of The Watsons Go to Birmingham?
What is the main idea of The Watsons Go to Birmingham?
Themes. The Watsons Go to Birmingham is a coming-of-age story about Kenny and Byron Watson. It’s considered a coming-of-age story because they both learn lessons that help them grow as people and care for their family. Family and friendshipis another theme of this novel.
What happened at the church in The Watsons Go to Birmingham?
This event is historical; in 1963, a Baptist church in Birmingham, Alabama really was bombed by four members of the Ku Klux Klan, and four little girls really were killed. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. himself described this act of violence as “one of the most vicious and tragic crimes ever perpetrated against humanity.”
Does anyone die in The Watsons Go to Birmingham?
Answer and Explanation: No major character dies in Curtis’ The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963. However, both Kenny and Joetta come close to death at different points in the novel.
What is the climax of the story The Watsons Go to Birmingham?
The Bomb. The bombing itself is pretty climactic, but in terms of the story, the climax comes when Kenny goes into the church after the bombing. He finds a shoe that looks just like hers and thinks that the Wool Pooh has her, so he runs back home scared.
What is the resolution in the Watsons Go to Birmingham?
The resolution of this great novel comes after the climax, which comes in Chapter 15 when Kenny, with Byron’s help, is finally able to express his emotions about what he has seen and observed whilst he was in Alabama, both with his fight with the Wool Pooh and with the bombing of the church.
What is the setting in The Watsons Go to Birmingham?
The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 takes place in Flint, Michigan; Birmingham, Alabama; and along Interstate I-75, which is the route the Watsons take on their trip to Alabama. In 1963, Birmingham was a focal point for the civil rights movement.
What does Kenny think Birmingham looks like?
Kenny is surprised by how much Birmingham looks like Flint; there are the same houses and trees everywhere. Grandma Sands comes out to greet the Watsons once they pull up; from all the stories he had heard about her, Kenny had expected her to be a troll, but she is actually a tiny old woman with a thick Southern drawl..
Who is momma surprised in Birmingham?
Bobo Brazil Meets the Sheik Momma’s so excited, she starts honking the horn like a crazy woman. Kenny is surprised that Birmingham looks so much like Flint, with regular houses and great big trees. It’s been ten years since the Watsons last visited Birmingham, so Kenny and Joey have never actually met Grandma Sands.
Does Kenny have a lazy eye?
Kenny Watson Kenny is the narrator of the story. He is ten years old, and in the fourth grade, when the story takes place. He is an exceptional reader, but has a lazy eye that frequently makes him the target of bullying.
What is wrong with Kenny’s eye?
Kenny’s Lazy Eye In Chapter #, Kenny tells is he has a “lazy eye”. The correct medical term for this is Amblyopia. According to the American Optical Association, Amblyopia is the loss or lack of development of central vision in one eye that is unrelated to any eye health problem and is not correctable with lenses.
Why does Kenny laugh at Rufus?
Kenny enjoyed playing with Rufus because he didn’t have to worry about his dinosaurs being stolen like they were when he played with LJ Jones. Kids on the bus started making fun of Rufus and Cody for not having many clothes to wear, and when Kenny joined in laughing, Rufus stopped talking to him.
How did Kenny think of Rufus?
Kenny believes that Rufus will be his”saver” by taking the mean spirited attention away from Kenny, and having it directed at himself. Initially, Kenny even participates in the jeers and taunts, but then discovers he does not care to be one of those kids and stops.
What Kenny gives Rufus?
Rufus gives Cody half of the sandwich Kenny gave him.
How does LJ trick Kenny?
How did LJ win the World’s Greatest Dinosaur War Ever? LJ tricked Kenny to bury the dinosaur and after they left LJ went back and stole them. You just studied 8 terms!
Who stole Kenny’s gloves?
Larry Dunn
What were the two qualities that set Kenny up for teasing?
Kenny’s two qualities that set him up for teasing are: 1. Kenny is smart. He loves reading, and everyone teases him for it.
Who is Poindexter in The Watsons Go to Birmingham?
Poindexter is a name which is associated with a stereotypical “nerdy” person, someone who is highly intelligent, and considered very “uncool” because of this. Kenny is an avid reader whose precociousness has been recognized by a number of the teachers at the school.
What Did Byron kill the bird with?
Byron throws stolen cookies at a mourning dove perched on a telephone wire. Typical delinquent Byron. Then he actually hits the bird and kills it (with a cookie), and suddenly he’s so upset that he’s throwing up and crying uncontrollably.
Who is Poindexter?
Poindexter is a surname mostly found in North America, but it can be traced back to the Isle of Jersey in the form “Poingdestre.” Urbandictionary.com says the current slang meaning of poindexter is: “One who looks and acts like a nerd but does not possess the super-natural intelligence of a nerd.”
Why does Mr alums believe it is vital for his students to be able to read well?
Alums believe it is vital for his students to be able to read well? To be familiar and comfortable with ligature. What do we learn about Kenny’s physical appearance? He has a lazy eye, it means that his eye doesn’t focus automatically.
How does Byron meet when he meets Grandma?
How does Byron behave when he meets Grandma sands? Byron behaves well because he knows Grandma Sands expects him to respect her. How does Mrs. Watson act differently when she is with her mother in Alabama compared with how she acts at home in Flint?
Which of these best summarizes Kenny’s problems at school?
Which of these best summarizes Kenny’s problems at school? He is bullied in school by the other students including his brother.
What happened in Chapter 5 of The Watsons Go to Birmingham?
Nazi Parachutes Attack America and Get Shot Down over the Flint River by Captain Byron Watson and his Flamethrower of Death. Byron gets caught lighting matches for fun (this kid really is a delinquent), and Momma swears that the next time she catches him starting a fire, she will burn him. Yikes!
What happened in Chapter 4 of The Watsons Go to Birmingham?
Kenny decides to give his first pair of gloves to Rufus. He tells Momma he lost them and she gives him his second pair. Now the two friends are both armed and ready for snowball fights. Things are great for a few days until Kenny’s new pair of brown leather gloves disappears from the closet at school.
What is Kenny’s job at school after he takes off his hat and coat?
It is Kenny’s job to help Joey out of her outerwear once she gets to school, so Kenny dutifully goes down to the kindergarten every day after he has taken off all his own “junk” to tend to his little sister.
Why is Kenny afraid that the family is on welfare?
Because his Mom tells him to sign for he food at Mitchell’s. Why is Kenny afraid that the family is on welfare? It would affect Kenny, it would be embarrassing for Kenny to sign a welfare list for groceries, like a blanked peon.
What does Byron’s reaction reveal about his character?
What does Byron’s reaction reveal about his character? Byron is not that tough as he pretends to be. He really cares that he killed a helpless creature.
Why does Grandma sands need to know if Byron is good at following directions?
Why does Grandma Sands need to know if Byron is good at following directions? She wants to make sure he’s ready to shape up. She wants to know what kind of kid he is. She’s nervous to have such a bad kid in her house.
Is Byron a bully?
Kenny’s older brother and the eldest child in the Watson family. Byron is a bit of a bully, and everything he does is done in order to make him appear “cool.” He also has a tendency to disobey his parents and misbehave; as a result, his parents decide to send him to live with his strict grandmother for the summer..
What lesson is Momma try to teach?
What lesson is Momma trying to teach? Momma is trying to teach Byron that lighting matches could cause a fire, burn down the house and harm the family.