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.
In which chapter does Kenny almost drown and what causes him to almost drown?
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.
In which chapter, do the Watsons start to drive to Birmingham?
In chapter 9, the Watsons start to drive to Birmingham.
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 caring because she believes Byron's jokes, she cries over everything, and she is always concerned about her brothers.
What does the word eavesdrop mean?
The word eavesdrop means to listen secretly.
In what chapter to Mr. and Mrs. Watson start talking about going to Birmingham? Why are they going?
In chapter 8 they start talking about going to Birmingham. They are going because Byron has been acting up and Momma's mom can make him shape up.
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 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 climate 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.
What is the name of the place where Kenny almost drowned and how did he almost drown?
The name of the place where he almost drowned is Collier's Landing, he almost drowned because he went out to far and got pulled under by the "Wool Pooh" or a whirlpool.
What are two themes of the book, "The Watsons Go to Birmingham"?
Topics:
family
discipline
safety
etc
How did Kenny's character develop from the beginning to the end of the story?
Kenny went from being shy, timid, and gullible to being a risk-taker, impulsive, and brave
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.