Christopher Paul Curtis entered the world of children’s literature after more than twenty years of hard labor on an automobile assembly line. Although he began writing during his “off” times at the plant, it wasn’t until a number of years later, and a succession of other jobs, that he made the commitment, with his wife’s encouragement, to pursue a career in writing. His signature style integrates humor with serious personal and social issues.

His first book, The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963, surprised the publishing world with its richly layered storyline, its memorable characters, and its startling twist at the end. The book, which has been translated into seven languages, was awarded a Newbery Honor, a Coretta Scott King Honor, a Best Book for Young Adults, a Notable Children’s Book by the American Library Association, a Notable Book for a Global Society and the Golden Kite Award. Bud, Not Buddy, his second historical novel, captured the spirit of the Great Depression from a unique African American perspective. This book, had the distinction of winning, among its many other awards, both the 2000 Newbery Award and the Coretta Scott King Award. It was also named an American Library Association Notable Book and Best Book for Young Adults.

          In an interview in The New Advocate, Curtis stated, “I’d say I’m a Black writer, an African-American writer…it’s who I am, and what you’re going to get out of me comes from that experience.”

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