"A completely absorbing novel. . . . Readers for whom pre-civil rights America is ancient history will find this poetic interpretation eye-opening and riveting." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Malcolm Little's parents have always told him that he can achieve anything, but from what he can tell, that's a pack of lies. There's no point in trying, he figures, and lured by the nightlife of Boston and New York, he escapes into a world of fancy suits, jazz, girls, and reefer. But Malcolm's efforts to leave the past behind lead him into increasingly dangerous territory. X follows the boy who would become Malcolm X from his childhood to his imprisonment for theft at age twenty, when he found the faith that would lead him to forge a new path and command a voice that still resonates today.
About the Author
Ilyasah Shabazz, third daughter of Malcolm X, is an activist, producer, motivational speaker, and author of the critically acclaimed Growing Up X and the picture book Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X. She lives in Westchester County, New York.
About the Illustrator
Kekla Magoon is an award-winning author of many young adult novels, including The Rock and the River, for which she received the 2010 Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe Award for New Talent. Kekla Magoon lives in New York City.
Industry Reviews
A completely absorbing novel... Readers for whom pre-civil rights America is ancient history will find this poetic interpretation eye-opening and riveting. Kirkus Reviews (starred review) This fictionalized account of the boy who became Malcolm X maintains a suspenseful, poetic grip as it shifts among moments in his life between the years 1930 and 1948. ... A compelling coming-of-age story. Publishers Weekly (starred review) An eye-opening look at an important historical figure. The author s honesty about his early troubles serves to convey that it is possible to rise through adversity to make a positive difference in this world. A worthwhile addition to any collection. School Library Journal (starred review) Although this is a work of fiction, it's strongly tethered to the facts, to the people and events that contributed to Malcolm's world view and his path to becoming a leader. Malcolm's voice is often funny, always perceptive, and as appreciative of beauty as he is critical of the disparity between the rights of whites and blacks. Shelf Awareness (starred review) Shabazz and Magoon bring energy, immediacy, and emotional power to Malcolm s first-person, present-tense voice. Often painfully candid, the authors effectively depict Malcolm s lifetime of racial slurs and casual injustices, symbolized by the image of a lynched man hanging from a tree. It s a satisfyingly complete, never simplistic story of one young man s journey through trouble to the promise of a life of purpose and meaning. Booklist (starred review) Riveting. ... Vivid. ... Malcolm's voice is often funny, always perceptive, and as appreciative of beauty as he is critical of the disparity between the rights of whites and blacks. Shelf Awareness Malcolm inspired me with his eloquence, his wisdom, and his thirst for truth and righteousness. This powerful, page-turning story tells us how he discovered these qualities within himself. Muhammad Ali Shabazz and Magoon do a remarkable job generating atmosphere, balancing family love in the face of dire circumstances against the pulsating energy of a self-assured young man swaggering through Harlem streets in a fine zoot suit and a conk.... The story of a reckless young man finding himself, X: A Novel is historical fiction at its best --- an artistic exploration of a part of a renowned person's life, one that stays true to his time and place. Huffington Post Powerful and charming makes you see things in a whole new way. One of the best books I've read in quite some time. Chris Rock Exclusive cover reveal We Need Diverse Books"
