The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 was generally well received after its publication.[12][13] In The Washington Post[14], Jabari Asim described the novel as “lyrical, engrossing and of sufficient emotive power to sustain the attention of adult readers as well.”[12] In The Guardian, Lindsey Fraser praised the book for tackling “‘big issues’ but [relating] them to a value system, if not an environment, which is readily accessible.”[13]
The book has also been named to the American Library Association’s list of Best Books for Young Adults.[2] It has received over 25 awards and honors, including the Newbery Honor and the Coretta Scott King Honor.[2][15][16]
