The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 Character Analysis

Kenny Watson

Kenny is a 10-year-old boy living in Flint, Michigan. A kind and gracious little boy, he is very intelligent for his age and loves to read. Because he’s so smart, though, his older brother, Byron… read analysis of Kenny Watson

Byron Watson

Byron is Kenny’s older brother. A 13-year-old boy who has been held back in school, Byron constantly gets in trouble for breaking rules. He and his friend Buphead often play mean tricks on Kenny… read analysis of Byron Watson

Daniel Watson (Kenny’s Father)

Daniel Watson is Kenny’s father. A good-natured man, he enjoys making jokes and getting his family to laugh. He sometimes even makes fun of Byron, making it clear that his eldest son isn’t… read analysis of Daniel Watson (Kenny’s Father)

Wilona Watson (Kenny’s Mother)

Wilona is Kenny’s mother. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, she moved to Flint when she married Daniel. Even after living in Michigan for many years, she can’t take the cold and often playfully criticizes… read analysis of Wilona Watson (Kenny’s Mother)

Joetta Watson (Joey)

Joey is Kenny’s little sister. A loyal sister, she often tries to defend Byron from their parents, never wanting her older brother to get in too much trouble (regardless of whether or not he… read analysis of Joetta Watson (Joey)

Grandma Sands

Grandma Sands is Wilona’s mother and Kenny’s grandmother. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama, where Wilona grew up. Because she’s extremely strict and old-fashioned, the children fear her. For years, Daniel and Wilona have… read analysis of Grandma Sands

Rufus

Rufus is a new student at Kenny’s school. Originally from the South, Rufus has a strong Southern accent and a friendly way of treating others. Unfortunately for him, his kindness attracts negative attention at… read analysis of Rufus

Larry Dunn

Larry Dunn is a bully who picks on Kenny and Rufus at school. Because Kenny is related to Byron, though, Larry doesn’t treat him quite as badly as he otherwise might. Still, though, he… read analysis of Larry Dunn

Mr. Robert

Mr. Robert is Grandma Sands’s new boyfriend. She started seeing him at some point after her husband—Wilona’s father—died. Because Wilona never knew about Mr. Robert, she’s alarmed when she arrives in Birmingham… read analysis of Mr. Robert

The Wool Pooh

The Wool Pooh is a make-believe character that Byron invents as a way of discouraging his younger siblings from swimming in a whirlpool in Birmingham. He comes up with the character when Joey can’t remember… read analysis of The Wool Pooh

Minor Characters

Cody

Cody is Rufus’s younger brother. He looks a lot like his older brother and sometimes plays with him and Kenny.

Buphead

Buphead is Byron’s friend. Like Byron, he bullies other students and constantly misbehaves. Both Wilona and Daniel see him as a bad influence on their son.

LJ Jones

LJ Jones is a boy at Kenny’s school. Kenny used to play with him, but because LJ always devises elaborate ways of stealing Kenny’s toys, Kenny stops spending time with him.

Moses (“Hambone”) Henderson

Moses Henderson was a young man from Birmingham, Alabama who tried to convince Wilona not to marry Daniel. Daniel calls him “Hambone” because his head is as big as a hambone.