The Watsons Go to Birmingham by
Christopher Paul Curtis
The
genre of historical fiction lends itself to being a timeless look into the
Civil Rights Movement during 1963 through the eyes of an African American boy’s
childhood. It was written in 1995 after segregation was an issue but the
setting and events are described in a way that make you feel as if you are
standing in Birmingham during those days. The integration of a real event with a
relatable family brings a different perspective on this important historical
time period and what it may have been like as a teenager during The Civil
Rights Movement. The main character, Kenny, comes from a family who is coined
as being a little different. He has a visual impairment which can relate to any
child with a hindrance in their health or appearance. Despite a more serious
theme, this book has plenty of comical relief as found in most family
interactions. All of the characters in this story relate to any reader in some
way. With many events happening and the plot thickening, this story doesn’t
feel like an average historical story but feels more like a dramatic show on
television. The theme of the Civil Rights Movement is a concept that many
students already have prior knowledge about. It makes the reader realize that
history is made during regular events and also that it happens to regular
people.
The Watsons Go to
Birmingham was the author’s first novel which sparked his writing career
for later books. He was recognized with the following honors:
- · Coretta Scott King Author Honor
- · Golden Kite Award
- · Newbery Honor Book
- · California Young Reader Medal
- · New Mexico Land of Enchantment Award
- · Texas Lone Star Reading List
In 2013, this book was made
into a television film for the Hallmark Channel based on the same events and
storyline.
Below are several adaptations for this text and other editions
available to view or read.
As a special edition movie tie-in version trough Barnes
and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/watsons-go-to-birmingham-1963-christopher-paul-curtis/1100291117?ean=9780385382946
As an e-book from Bright Star Schools and Kindle:
http://www.brightstarschools.org/view/1216.pdf
http://www.amazon.com/Watsons-Birmingham-1963-Christopher-Paul-Curtis-ebook/dp/B000FC1KWU
As a downloadable audiobook from Archive.org:
https://archive.org/details/WatsonsGoToBirminghamCPCurtis
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! by Laura Amy
Schlitz
The genre of historical fiction makes the past seem
realistic whether the time period was ten years ago or a hundred. This genre
uses realistic characters or situations set in the past which creates a world
that reader can easily relate to while reading. Set during the medieval times
in an English village, Good Masters!
Sweet Ladies! uses the lives of over twenty characters to bring humor and
entertainment to its readers. With middle school students as the target
audience, the Laura Amy Schlitz created a play that would both inform and
entertain students about the middle ages. The interactions between characters
in the play are quite entertaining while the background pages tell about the
culture during the time period. In a way, this book is differentiated for
readers based on how much they read into the storyline. Some readers may notice
the web of connections between all of the characters while others may not. This
is definitely a piece of writing that should be read more than once in order to
fully appreciate the craft used by this talented author.
Good Masters! Sweet
Ladies! was submitted by the author for publishing but took seven years
before it was ever picked up. After winning multiple awards, it is now found in
nearly every library and bookstore.
This play was recognized by the following
for its phenomenal literary contents:
- · 2008 Newbery Medal
- · ALA Notable Book for Older Readers
- · Booklist Editor’s Choice 2007
- · The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
- · Best Children’s Books 2007
- · NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2008
Due to this book being
rather new, the play is available in only a few editions or publications.
Several adaptations have been made since its 2008 Newbery Medal.
As a print version through
Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/good-masters-sweet-ladies-laura-amy-schlitz/1101362546?ean=9780763615789
As an electronic version of
the 2008 book through Franklin County Public Schools:
http://www.franklin.kyschools.us/Downloads/Good%20Masters%20Sweet%20Ladies2.pdf
As a downloadable audiobook
available from Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/good-masters-sweet-ladies-laura-amy-schlitz/1101362546?ean=9781436135252
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