Christopher Paul Curtis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christopher Paul Curtis
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Curtis in 2014
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| Born | May 10, 1953 Flint, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation | Writer, speaker |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan–Flint |
| Period | 1995–present |
| Genre | Children's literature, especially historical fiction |
| Notable works | |
| Notable awards | Newbery Medal 2000 Coretta Scott King Award 2000, 2008 |
Christopher Paul Curtis (born May 10, 1953) is a famous American author of books for young readers. He is best known for writing stories that mix humor with serious topics from history.
His first novel, The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963, was a huge success when it came out in 1995. It won several awards and quickly made him a well-known author. In 2000, he made history by becoming the first African-American man to win the Newbery Medal, which he received for his second book, Bud, Not Buddy. That same year, Bud, Not Buddy also won the Coretta Scott King Award.
Before becoming a writer, Curtis worked in a car factory for 13 years. He uses his life experiences and his love of history to create stories that feel real and are fun to read. His books are often used in schools to teach students about important historical events, like the Civil Rights Movement.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Christopher Paul Curtis was born in Flint, Michigan, on May 10, 1953. He was the second of five children. His father, Herman, worked in a car factory, and his mother, Leslie, was a homemaker who later became a teacher.
Curtis's parents taught him to love reading. They were also active in the Civil Rights Movement, a struggle for equal rights for African Americans. As a child, Curtis joined his parents in marches and protests against businesses that treated Black people unfairly.
He was a good student and was elected to his junior high's student council in 1967. He was the first African-American student to be elected in the school's 32-year history. Some of his favorite books growing up were To Kill a Mockingbird and The Bridges at Toko-Ri. He also loved reading magazines and comic books. Curtis has said that even though he read a lot, it was hard to find books about Black people like him.
After high school, Curtis worked at a General Motors car factory in Flint. He continued to go to college part-time and finally earned his degree from the University of Michigan–Flint in 2000.
From the Factory to the Library
For 13 years, Curtis worked on an assembly line at the Fisher Body car plant. His job was to hang heavy car doors on Buicks, which was tiring and repetitive work. To make the day go by faster, he and his work partner made a deal. One person would work for 30 minutes while the other took a 30-minute break.
During his breaks, Curtis would read and write. He used this time to escape the loud noise of the factory. He knew he didn't want to work in the factory forever, so he kept writing.
In 1985, he quit his factory job. He took a year off in 1993 to focus completely on writing. His wife at the time, Kay, encouraged him. During that year, he entered a writing contest and won first place for a story that would later become his first book.
A Successful Writing Career
Curtis's first novel was published in 1995 as The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963. The story is about a family from Flint who travels to Birmingham, Alabama, during the summer of 1963. The book was a huge hit, winning many awards, including a Newbery Honor. It was even turned into a TV movie in 2013.
His second book, Bud, Not Buddy, came out in 1999. It tells the story of a 10-year-old boy searching for his father during the Great Depression. This book was inspired by stories of his own grandfather, who was a musician in a band. Bud, Not Buddy won the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award, two of the highest honors in children's literature.
Curtis writes historical fiction, which means his stories are set in the past. He likes to use humor to talk about serious subjects like racism and poverty. By writing from a kid's point of view, he helps readers connect with history in a personal way.
Personal Life
Curtis met his first wife, Kay Sookram, in Canada. They have two children, Steven and Cydney. After he and Kay separated, Curtis married Habon Aden, and they also have two children together.
When he's not writing, Curtis enjoys playing basketball and listening to jazz and blues music. He also loves to read, but he avoids reading other authors' books while he is writing his own so he doesn't accidentally copy their style.
Published Books
Here are some of the popular books written by Christopher Paul Curtis:
- The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 (1995) – The Watson family travels from Michigan to Alabama, where they experience the historic events of the summer of 1963.
- Bud, Not Buddy (1999) – In 1936, 10-year-old Bud is on the run, looking for the man he believes is his father.
- Bucking the Sarge (2004) – A teenager named Luther tries to escape the control of his mother, who is a local slumlord.
- Mr. Chickee's Funny Money (2005) – A nine-year-old boy named Steven gets a mysterious bill with 15 zeros on it from a friendly blind man.
- Elijah of Buxton (2007) – This story is set in a real Canadian settlement that was founded by former slaves who escaped on the Underground Railroad.
- The Mighty Miss Malone (2012) – A spin-off from Bud, Not Buddy, this book follows a girl named Deza during the Great Depression.
- The Madman of Piney Woods (2014) – Set in Buxton, Ontario, in 1901, this story is told by two 12-year-old boys, one Black and one Irish.
- The Journey of Little Charlie (2018) – The third book in the Buxton Trilogy, this story follows a 12-year-old boy in 1858 who gets involved in a mission to recapture an escaped slave.
Awards and Honors
Christopher Paul Curtis has won many awards for his work.
Awards for Specific Books
- The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963
- Coretta Scott King Honor Book
- Newbery Honor Book
- Bud, Not Buddy
- Newbery Medal winner
- Coretta Scott King Author Award
- Elijah of Buxton
- Newbery Honor Book
- Coretta Scott King Award winner
- Scott O'Dell Award
