Plot
Where are the Watsons at the beginning of the story?
They are in Flint at the beginning of the story.
Where are the Watsons from?
They are from Flint, Michigan.
What was the mood when the Watsons thought Joey had been in the church during the bombing?
The mood when the Watsons thought Joey had been in the church during the bombing was scared, intense, and hopeful she had gotten out.
Who is the main character in the book?
Kenny is the main character in the book.
What does the word tolerate mean?
The word tolerate means to put up with.
What causes Kenny to almost drown in chapter 13?
In chapter 13 he almost drowns because he goes in the lake where he's not supposed to be, the "wool pooh" (whirlpool) drags him under the water.
Where is momma from?
Momma is from Birmingham, Alabama.
What was the mood when Byron found out, him and his family were going to Birmingham and he might have to stay by himself?
Byron's mood when he found out he was going to Birmingham and may have to stay there was, he was upset, mad, and nervous because he didn't want to stay in Birmingham.
What are 3 words to describe Byron and why?
Three words to describe Byron are mean, juvenile delinquent, and self absorbed. He is mean because he picks on other kids, he is a juvenile delinquent because he gets into lots of trouble, and he is self absorbed because he kisses himself in the car mirror.
What does the word conscience mean?
The word conscience means to have the sense of right and wrong.
When Byron was caught playing with matches / fire again what was his punishment?
After his mom found out he was playing with matches again, she tried to burn his finger, but Joey stopped her each time. So he got in trouble with his dad.
What is the name of the church that got bombed in Birmingham and where was Joey during the bombing?
The name of the church was the African American 16th Street Baptist Church and Joey had just walked outside to get some fresh air, when she thought she had seen Kenny, so she crossed the street.
What was the mood when dad got the TT AB-700 for there car?
The mood when the family found out dad had gotten the TT AB-700 was mama was mad because it was expensive and the kids were excited because they had a new radio for their car.
What are 3 words to describe Joetta and why?
Three words to describe Joetta are gullible, whiny, and young because she believes Byron's jokes, she cries over everything, and she is the baby of the family.
What does the word eavesdrop mean?
The word eavesdrop means to listen secretly.
Why did Mr. and Mrs. Watson start talking about going to Birmingham?
In chapter 8 they start talking about going to Birmingham because Byron has been acting up and Grandma Sands can make him "shape up"?
What happens at Mitchell's Store?
Byron gets "Free Food" (Swedish Cremes), kills a bird, etc.
What is the main theme of the book and why?
The main theme of the book is segregation and racism because when the Watsons are in Birmingham they witness lots of racism and terrorism towards blacks, an example of this would when an african american church was bombed.
What does dad not wanting to go to Birmingham say about his character?
Him not wanting to go to Birmingham shows that he sees the whole picture, unlike mama because she only sees the good parts of Birmingham. But dad sees the bad and the good things about Birmingham, and realizes its safer for his family if they don't go to Birmingham.
What does the word grasp mean?
The word grasp means to understand or realize.
What is the climax of the story?
The climax of the story is when the bombing of African American 16th Street Baptist Church happens. In the story when this happens the Watsons think Joey was in the church, but she left the church right before the bombing because she thought she had seen Kenny waving to her.
Name two positive things about living in Alabama that Mrs. Watson mentions?
She says there are friendlier people, better weather, people are more respectful, and people are more honest about their feelings.
What are two themes of the book, "The Watsons Go to Birmingham"?
Two themes of the book are racism and family because the Watsons go to Birmingham where there is lots of segregation, Byron saves Kenny in many ways, and they stuck together as a family even through the hard times in Birmingham.
What are 3 words or phrases to describe Grandma Sands?
In the sentence, "Momma told Byron she heard through the grapevine that he was thinking about escaping." What does the word grapevine mean in this sentence?
Grapevine means information spread from person to person.