The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis

In this book, the main character, ten-year-old Kenny and his family, the Watson's of Flint, Michigan, are heading for Birmingham, Alabama. Kenny's older brother, Byron, has gotten into trouble too many times and now the family is taking him down south (to Grandma) to straighten him out. But while they are there the 1963 bombing of a Birmingham church occurred, where four black children are killed. The horror of it all is way too much for Kenny. The family, including Byron, come back to Michigan; it is Byron who comes to Kenny's rescue, figuring out in his own way how to "get through to" Kenny and allowing him to accept this tragedy. I really enjoyed this novel, I never expected Bryon to help Kenny out like that. I thought the author did a great job describing the characters and their emotions. One of the best parts in this book was the part about cutting Bryon's hair, the author had be cracking up!