The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963

My 11-year old quasi-stepson's literature class read this book and I decided to read along with him.

While I thought the book would be good, I was blown away by the author's ability to combine the pathos of growing up a middle child and one with a few physical differences that made him the target of bullies.

There are some great family scenes with beautifully drawn characters that leap off the page at you. I also laughed out loud at so many points and found myself crying at others.

This is a great book for middle grade readers up to adults and I look forward to other reads from Christopher Paul Curtis.