Flint, Michigan

The Watson family lives in Flint, Michigan, where it can get quite cold in the winter, as it is when the novel opens. As Momma is from the south, it seems extremely cold to her.

Birmingham, Alabama

Grandma Sands lives in Birmingham, and that is where the Watsons are going on the long car trip. It is the actual site of a church bombing in which four young girls died. In the fictional account in this novel, it is a different church and different children.

The Brown Bomber

Dad has a name for his car, The Brown Bomber. It is an old car, but it runs. He gets it all fixed up for the long car trip. He is proud of the car. Kenny likes the comfortable seats in the car that make it easy to sleep.

Momma's Notebook

Momma has a notebook titled "The Watsons...