Kenny Watson, a bright ten-year-old boy living in Flint, Michigan, tells the story of his family’s life in 1963. The Watsons are a lively, loving, and often hilarious family:

• Byron, the oldest, is thirteen and constantly getting into trouble.
• Joetta (Joey), the youngest, is sweet and innocent.
• Momma (Wilona) is originally from Alabama and hates the freezing Flint winters.
• Dad (Daniel) is funny and protective, always trying to keep the family together.

The story begins with an ordinary winter day in Flint, filled with the usual sibling teasing and family arguments. However, the deeper tension comes from Byron’s behavior. He smokes in the bathroom, plays with fire, and even gets his hair straightened into a “conk”—something completely forbidden. Each time Byron gets into trouble, his parents become more concerned that Flint is encouraging his worst instincts.

Byron’s Behavior Forces a Big Decision

After months of worrying, Momma and Dad decide that Byron needs a major change. They make a bold plan: the whole family will drive down to Birmingham, Alabama, where Byron will spend the summer—and possibly the next year—with Grandma Sands, Momma’s strict mother.

The Watsons load up their famous car, the Brown Bomber, and begin a long road trip across several states. The trip is packed with small adventures, jokes, music, and warnings about the dangers of traveling as a Black family in the segregated South. The closer they get to Alabama, the more serious the tone becomes. Signs of racism—like whites-only restrooms and diners—confuse Kenny and Joey, who have never faced this type of hatred directly.

Life in Birmingham

When they arrive, Grandma Sands turns out to be kinder and smaller than they imagined, though she still means business. She introduces the kids to her friend Mr. Robert, and the family settles into a new routine.

During their stay, Kenny and Byron learn about the South’s strict rules and dangers. The kids are especially warned to stay away from a dangerous swimming hole. One day, Kenny sneaks off anyway, thinking it will be harmless. He gets caught in a powerful whirlpool and comes close to drowning. Byron, who had been acting tough and distant for most of the book, dives in and rescues him—shaken, emotional, and furious that he almost lost his brother. This moment hints that Byron is growing up and changing.

The Church Bombing

The story takes a tragic and shocking turn when the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church is bombed—an act of real historical racism and violence committed by white supremacists.

That morning, Joey goes to church wearing a new dress. Kenny stays behind but later heads toward the church, thinking he sees smoke. When he arrives, the church is in ruins. He sees injured people, chaos, and what he believes is Joey’s shoe in the rubble. Terrified, he thinks Joey is dead. He rushes home in shock, traumatized and unable to speak.

But Joey is safe. She explains that she thought she saw Kenny waving her out of the church earlier, so she left—never knowing that Kenny wasn’t actually there. Her life is spared by coincidence, but Kenny is deeply shaken by what he has witnessed.

After Returning to Flint

The Watsons return home to Michigan soon after. Although life looks normal on the outside, Kenny is emotionally broken. He hides behind the couch, feeling guilty and confused, convinced he should have done more to save the girls who died in the bombing.

Surprisingly, it is Byron who helps him heal. Byron sits with Kenny, talks to him gently, and reminds him that he’s safe and loved. Byron, once the family troublemaker, steps into the role of a protective big brother. Through these conversations, Kenny slowly begins to understand that the world is unfair and frightening, but he doesn’t have to face it alone.

By the end of the story, the Watson family—though touched by tragedy—emerges stronger and more united. Byron starts to show maturity, Kenny grows emotionally, and the family becomes even more protective of one another. Their trip to Birmingham was supposed to change Byron, but it ends up changing all of them.