The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963

Kenny introduces the Watson family and establishes the brutal Flint winter that opens the novel, grounding the reader in the family's voice before anything happens.

Kenny's experience at school is introduced, including his friendship with a kid named LJ Jones and the cruelty of older students. Kenny's lazy eye makes him a target.

Rufus and his brother Cody arrive at school as new kids from Arkansas. Byron mocks them publicly. Kenny stands up for Rufus against Byron, and a real friendship begins.

Kenny discovers that Rufus and his family eat dinner in patterns that reveal their poverty. Byron's cruelty deepens. The Watson winter continues.

Byron burns a moth and performs a ritualistic 'funeral' — then is caught and punished for having matches. The chapter title refers to Byron's elaborate fantasy games, now turning dangerous.

Kenny and Byron sneak cookies. Byron gets his hair 'conked' — chemically straightened — and Dad shaves his head as punishment. Mom cries over Byron's rebellion.

Byron freezes his lips to the Brown Bomber's side mirror while kissing his own reflection. The chapter is the novel's broadest comedy — and it ends with Dad installing the Ultra-Glide record player in the car.

The family prepares for the trip to Birmingham. Dad explains the Southern Strategy — driving straight through to avoid segregated hotels. The Brown Bomber is loaded and the journey begins.

The family arrives in Birmingham. Grandma Sands is introduced. The South is lush and beautiful. Kenny marvels at how different it is from everything he expected.

Kenny explores Birmingham with Byron. Grandma's authority over Byron is complete and mysteriously easy. The family settles into the summer rhythm. Kenny begins to feel genuinely at peace.

Kenny disobeys Grandma and goes to Collier's Landing alone. He nearly drowns in a whirlpool. He believes the Wool Pooh — a monstrous version of Winnie-the-Pooh — is pulling him under. He is rescued, but the experience cracks his sense of safety.

The aftermath of Collier's Landing. Byron confronts Kenny with unexpected tenderness. The family absorbs what happened. The Birmingham summer darkens slightly.

September 15, 1963. Joetta goes to Sunday School at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. A bomb goes off. Kenny arrives at the church in the aftermath and believes Joetta is dead.

The Watson family drives home to Flint in stunned silence. Kenny retreats behind the couch upon arriving home. He will not talk to anyone. He hides for days.

Byron finds Kenny behind the couch. He talks to him — simply, honestly — about how to live with something terrible. It is the most important conversation in the novel. Kenny begins to return.

A brief closing note from the author situating the novel's events in historical reality, acknowledging the four girls killed in the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing.