Colorful Characters
What two things did Kenny think were wrong with himself that caused him trouble at school?
1 - being a good reader
2 - his lazy eye
Where do the Watsons live?
Flint, Michigan
From what point of view The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963 told?
Kenny narrates the story using 1st person point of view
Bryon gets his lips stuck to the car mirror. What nickname does Kenny tease him with after that?
the Lipless Wonder
What is the Ultra Glide? Why do Momma and Dad fight about it?
1-The Ultra Glide is a record player for your car.
2-Momma and Dad fight over it because Momma thinks it costs too much and Dad didn't discuss buying it first with Momma.
What two made-up stories does Byron tell his siblings?
1-Garbage trucks pick up froze-up Southern folks
2-Winnie the Pooh's evil twin brother the Wool Pooh lives at Colliers Landing
Where is the family going on their trip? Why?
Birmingham, Alabama to visit Grandma Sands and leave Byron there for the summer
Kenny couldn't believe it when Rufus and Cody told him that down in Arkansas people eat what?
Squirrels
How does Kenny describe getting in trouble?
Kenny says that "It seems like you do it in steps" and you get "bunch of little warnings on the way."
What does it mean when Byron says, "Give my regards to Clark, Poindexter" ?
Byron is telling Kenny (aka Poindexter) that he's skipping school (Clark).
What are Momma and Dad's first names?
Wilona and Daniel
Where did Kenny almost drown?
Collier's Landing
What did Byron do that really confused Kenny because seemed to go against his usual bully behavior?
When he killed the bird with the Swedish Creme cookie, he threw up, cried, and then made a grave for it.
How did Kenny really hurt Rufus's feelings to the point where Rufus no longer wanted to be Kenny's friend?
He laughed with everyone else on the bus when Larry Dunn was making fun of Rufus and Cody for sharing the same pair of pants.
What symbolizes death and danger for Kenny in the story?
The Wool Pooh
What did Dad do for a punishment when Byron came home with his hair styled in a conk?
Dad shaved all Byron's hair off.
What is the name of the school the Watson kids attend?
Clark Elementary
Why does Kenny start to feel sorry for Larry Dunn?
What happens right before the following quote: "I started throwing up a ton of water and food. If there was a forest fire somewhere all they would have to do is hold me over it and I would have put it out!"
Kenny almost drowns at Collier's Landing, but gets saved by Byron.
What symbolizes hope and healing for Kenny in the story?
The family's couch
Who is the church lady who gives Joey an angel figurine AND loves Joey so much that Kenny says that she might kidnap Joey?
Mrs. Davidson
What is the real event from history that happens in the book?
The bombing at the church
One of the book's chapters is called “Bobo Brazil Meets the Sheik” Who are Bobo Brazil and the Sheik and who does Kenny compare them to? Why?
Bobo Brazil and the Sheik are professional wrestlers. Kenny compares Byron and Grandma Sands to Bobo Brazil and the Sheik because he imagines they're going to battle each other like professional wrestlers.
What does Byron do that causes Momma to turn into an "evil snake woman"?
Byron plays with matches (again). He is in the bathroom lighting toilet paper "parachutes" on fire and flushing them down the toilet.
How does Kenny finally realize that Joey didn't die inthe church bombing?
Kenny sees that Joey is holding both of her shiny black shoe, so he realizes the shoe he got from the bombed church can't be hers.