The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 is a humorous yet compelling tale about being a part of a family, growing up, and learning what it means to be African American in 1963. The story begins in Flint, Michigan and takes the family on a journey to Birmingham, Alabama and back to Flint. While in Birmingham, in a strange turn of events, the family finds itself intertwined in one of the most famous events of the Civil Rights Movement.

About the Contributor...

Heather McKissick

Laurel School District

New Castle, Pennsylvania

As a child, Heather always enjoyed reading and history.  When she became an educator, she wanted to find a way to incorporate and convey these two passions into her classroom. Since reading The Watsons go to Birmingham- 1963 in a college literature class, Heather has been enamored by this book and the work of Christopher Paul Curtis. After a colleague mentioned Google Lit Trips, she instantly decided to create her own lit trip to use in the classroom.

Heather is currently serving as a long-term substitute at the Laurel School District in New Castle, Pennsylvania.  She has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Music as well as a Masters in Reading from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA.  Heather has been in the field of education for 9 years.

  In her spare time, Heather loves to sing at local venues and spend time with her husband, 5 year old twins and 11 month old daughter.