Christopher paul curtis was born in flint, michigan, on may 10, 1953, to dr. Christopher paul curtis bio, age, facts and family. Buxton had been set up in the swampy wilderness of southeast canada as a haven for people who had escaped slavery in the southern us. He lives in detriot with his family, his wife habon aden curtis and his two daughters ayaan lesile curtis and ebyaan hothan curtis. All hes got to do is beat his arch rival shayla patrick, the beautiful daughter of. His book bud, not buddy won the newbery medal and coretta scott king award in 2000. Then mommad look hard in my face, grab a holt of my arms real tight and say, and bud, i want you to always remember, no matter how bad things look to you, no matter how dark the night, when one door closes, dont worry because another door opens. Christopher paul curtis was born in flint, michigan, usa on sunday, may. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Christopher paul curtis is the author of the watsons go to birmingham1963, one of the most highly acclaimed first novels for young readers in recent years. Elevenyearold elijah is the first child born into freedom in buxton, canada, a settlement of runaway slaves just over the border from detroit. Christopher paul curtis, best known for being a childrens author, was born in flint, michigan, usa on sunday, may 10, 1953.
A video interview with christopher paul curtis reading rockets. Log in to get better recommendations with a free account. Curtis attended dewey elementary, clark elementary, pierce elementary in the academically gifted program, whittier junior high school, and mckinley junior high school of the flint public school system. Christopher paul curtis was born in flint, michigan, on may 10, 1953. And i like the idea of the books being something that rescued deza. I grew up with both parents, a sister who is two years older, a sister who is eleven months younger, a brother who was four years younger, and another sister who is thirteen years younger. Featured books by christopher paul curtis reading rockets. Elijah of buxton 9780439023443 by christopher paul curtis and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices.
The city of flint plays an important role in many of curtiss books. The first book to receive both the newbery medal for excellence in american childrens literature, and the coretta scott king award, which is given to outstanding africanamerican authors, bud, not buddy was also recognized with the william allen white childrens book award for grades 68. Some of the published credits of christopher paul curtis include bud, not buddy unabridged, watsons go to birmingham. Work at the factory became so unbearable that curtis began having semihallucinations at night of car doors and assembly lines moving through his bedroom. Christopher paul curtis did not become a published author until he was in his 40s. Herman elmer curtis, a chiropodist and factory workersupervisor, and leslie jane curtis, an educator. His first novel, the watsons go to birmingham1963, was also singled out for many awards, and has been a bestseller in hardcover and paperback. In this novel the watsons go to birmingham1963, tells about a family that consist of kenny, byron, momma, dad and joey the girl. How its so easy to make people who are poor be other. The book gives an accurate description of the experience of many black american families in the depression era. Find all the books, read about the author, and more.
A video interview with christopher paul curtis reading. Growing up in an allblack neighborhood, the only white people he ever saw were the teachers at. Christopher paul curtis, born may 10, 1953, flint, michigan, u. After quitting fisher body, he took a series of lowpaying jobs. His second novel, bud, not buddy, is the first book ever to receive both the newbery medal and the coretta scott king author award. Christopher paul curtis was born in flint, michigan in 1953. Browse audiobooks written by christopher paul curtis sorted.
Christopher paul curtis was a featured author in scholastic s online reading club, where students and teachers discussed his books bud, not buddy and the watsons go to birmingham1963. Author christopher paul curtiss complete list of books and series in order, with the latest releases, covers, descriptions and availability. Christopher paul curtis was born and reared in flint, michigan. Newbery medalist and csk award winner christopher paul curtis s debut middlegradeyoungya novel for scholastic features his trademark humor, compelling storytelling, and unique narrative voice. Then christopher paul curtis himself joined in the conversation.
The latter was adapted for a tv movie of the same name, which aired on the hallmark channel in 20. Sep 30, 2014 i am a big fan of several of christopher paul curtis books, but this one was just too boring for me. Herman elmer curtis, a chiropodist, and leslie jane curtis, an educator. The main characters included a yearold boy, kenny and the watsons.
The watsons go to birmingham1963 a historical fiction by christopher paul curtis. The transcript is divided into the following sections. The debut novel by christopher paul curtis, and the second piece of fiction he. Christopher paul curtis christopher paul curtis made an outstanding debut in childrens literature with the watsons go to birmingham1963. Christopher paul curtis books, author biography, and. Christopher paul curtis is a taurus and was born in the year of the serpent life. The newbery medal and coretta scott king awardwinning classic about a boy who decides to hit the road to find his fatherfrom christopher paul curtis, author of the watsons go to birmingham1963, a newbery and coretta scott king honoree. Christopher paul curtis is an americancanadian author known for writing historical fiction for young readers.
After high school graduation, he worked on the assembly line of the fisher body plantflint plant no. During the 1930s grampa was the leader of the exquisitely named, grand rapids, michigan, big band herman e. This is another excellent addition to my childrens library. The journey of little charlie christopher paul curtis.
Books by christopher paul curtis author of bud, not buddy. Join facebook to connect with christopher paul curtis and others you may know. His other awardwinning books include elijah of buxton and the mighty miss malone. Christopher paul curtis audio books, best sellers, author. Christopher paul curtis books list of books by author.
I am a big fan of several of christopher paul curtis books, but this one was just too boring for me. Christopher paul curtis says, write for the love of writing and you cant go wrong. Growing up in an all black neighborhood, the only white people he ever saw were the teachers at. Chickees messy mission, and bud, not buddy, which was the first book ever to receive book the newbery medal and the coretta scott king author award. Christopher paulcurtis if youre looking for a great book that you never want toput down, the watsons go to birmingham is perfect. It was singled out for many awards, among them a newbery honor and a coretta scott king honor, and has been a. Curtis, a chiropodist, and leslie curtis, an educator. May 06, 2020 christopher paul curtis, born may 10, 1953, flint, michigan, u. Day in and day out, he hung doors on automobiles as they came down the line. Browse audiobooks written by christopher paul curtis. Curtis grew up in flint, michigan, and remained there until 2009. First african american recipient of the newbery medal for childrens literature, he is best known for works such as bud, not buddy and the watsons go to birmingham 1963.
See all books authored by christopher paul curtis, including elijah of buxton, and the mighty miss malone, and more on. He worked as a groundskeeper at stonegate manor housing. Christopher paul curtiss most popular book is uncle toms cabin. Even though she was going through tough times, she could hang onto these books. The first was a short story written for the metro times of detroit short story contest, titled gideon p. Before his first novel was published, he spent much of his adult life working in an automobile factory. Christopher paul curtis books, biography, contact information. I could tell those were the squeaks and squawks of one door closing and another one opening. Christopher paul curtis interview transcript scholastic.
Writing in the rust belta look inside the factoryrejectionthe watsons go to birmingham 1963the watsons go to birmingham 1963 part 2along for the ridefour rules for young writersmr. This book is based on the life of a black family in the middle of the civil rights movement. One day his wife, who was a nurse, offered to support the family while christopher took a year off to work on a childrens. Each year, i read a novel to my children in order to address a wide age range.
Browse author series lists, sequels, pseudonyms, synopses, book covers, ratings and awards. The mighty miss malone by christopher paul curtis january. Chickees funny money bucking the sarge bud, not buddy the watsons go to birmingham1963 this is a work of fiction. Christopher paul curtis is a published author of childrens books and young adult books. Mass market paperback bud, not buddy guided reading classroom set newbery. Twgtb is set in flint, michigan in the winter of 1962 and the fall of 1963. He could support his family very well on his job, but the boredom was killing him. Christopher paul curtis, author of the watsons go to birmingham1963, once again exhibits his skill for capturing the language and feel of an era and creates an authentic, touching, often hilarious voice in little bud.
Below is an edited transcript from reading rockets interview with christopher paul curtis. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and. Christopher paul curtis is the author of five books for children, including the watsons go to birmingham 1963, mr. He is known for the newbery medal winning bud, not buddy and the watsons go to birmingham 1963. Christopher paul curtis books, author biography, and reading. He was born on may 10, 1953, in flint, michigan, and the city serves a setting in some of his books. Christopher paul curtis won the newbery medal and the coretta scott king award for his bestselling second novel, bud, not buddy. Some of the published credits of christopher paul curtis include bud, not. He was the second oldest of five children born to dr.
His most recent novels for random house include the mighty miss malone, mr. Listen to thousands of best sellers and new releases on your iphone, ipad, or android. Transcript from an interview with christopher paul curtis. Christopher paul curtis born may 10, 1953 is an american childrens books author. The mighty miss malone by christopher paul curtis 7jan2014 paperback. Christopher paul curtis american author britannica. Jackies quality of writing never surprises me, the way she seems to top herself with each successive book always does. Christopher paul curtis, critically acclaimed author of the 2000 newbery medal winner bud, not buddy 1999 and seven other books, is one of our nations most admired childrens authors. A lot of it was a little too far fetched compared to his stories found in his other books. The watsons go to birmingham 1963 by christopher paul curtis, bud, not buddy by christopher paul curtis. Fortunately, curtis fate changed dramatically when. Christopher paul curtis tells the story convincingly from the perspective of a 10yearold girl.
Christopher paul curtis has 25 books on goodreads with 278831 ratings. Herman elder curtis, a foot doctor, and leslie jane curtis, a teacher. Christopher paul curtis biography an interview with christopher paul curtis christopher paul curtis says, write for the love of writing and you cant go wrong. Bud, not buddy is the second childrens novel written by christopher paul curtis. And much as in the old saying that there is a thin line between comedy and tragedy, the same can be said about affectionate. Curtis was born in flint, michigan on may 10, 1953 to dr.
The watsons go to birmingham 1963 by christopher paul curtis. If youre wondering why i decided to call my website nobody but curtis, its as a tribute to my paternal grandfather. Interview with christopher paul curtis center for the. For thirteen years, christopher paul curtis made a good living at the fisher auto body plant in flint, michigan. I was under the understanding that this was a continuation of mostly true story of the town of buxton in canada. Christopher paul curtis bio, facts, family famous birthdays. By curtis, christopher paul author bud, not buddy by curtis, christopher paul author sep 07 1999 hardcover by christopher paul curtis jan 1, 1606. Christopher paul curtis is an american childrens book author. The debut novel by christopher paul curtis, and the second piece of fiction he wrote. Writing in the rust belta look inside the factoryrejectionthe watsons go to birmingham 1963the watsons go to. The watsons go to birmingham is one of the most popular books of curtis. It was singled out for many awards, among them a newbery honor and a coretta scott king honor, and has been a bestseller in hardcover and paperback. If you are interested in having christopher visit your school, library, speaking engagement or other special event please click the link below to establish domestic or.