This book is a fictional account of the transition of Malcolm Little to Malcolm X. It covers his time of while he is in prison for 7 years after being charged with grand larceny. The book consistently goes between family memories and his time in prison. It covers his conversion to Islam and his awakening.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The writing was perfect for the age demographic and it's a good introduction to Malcolm X, for younger kids who don't know much about him. I enjoyed the way the story was told and liked that we really got to see Malcom X come into his own.

Definitely would recommend.

You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom. —MALCOLM X

I loved seeing Malcolm evolve. He started as a bitter man and turned into a strong, confident and powerful one. It was amazing to read the details that went into that change. I loved that his experiences made him a great person, not full of revenge.

We follow him through parts of his childhood and prison, to after prison and what he became. The change of timelines throughout the book was difficult to decipher at times. The transition was choppy and left me confused multiple times.

I don’t understand why this book is labeled YA. He was 17 for part of the book but the majority of it, he was 20 and older. It entails his life in prison and his life living on his own, away from his family. It did not feel YA at all. I can see the benefits to young people reading the book, I just don’t agree with the YA label. It is written in first person and did not come off smoothly. The writing left me wanting more, needing more descriptions, more details, more emotions. It felt in contrast to the powerful story that was happening. I didn’t feel it reel me in like I expected. This was my most anticipated book for January and I opted to read and finish many other books instead. I can only attribute it to the writing because the story itself was enthralling. The conversion from a story of his past, to a story on paper was inferior to my expectations.

“We win more when we are together. That message is worth more than all the words you can ever muster.” I learned powerful lessons of unity and love. He is definitely someone to admire.

Thank you, NetGalley and MacMillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

BOOK AND AUTHOR: The Awakening of Malcolm X/Ilyasah Shabazz and Tiffany D. Jackson
GENRE: YA-Historical Fiction-Biography Memoir
RATING: 4/5

SUMMARY: This is the story of Malcolm’s time in prison, and the transformation we see of Malcolm Little into an empowered Malcolm X. Major part of the story takes place in prison, where Malcolm spent six years after being convicted of burglary. The authors beautifully tell us Malcolm’s journey inside the prison, from an angry young man to a believer, and eventually joining the Nation of Islam.

THEME: Perception; Religion; Fight for Survival

WHAT I LIKED: The book is well-researched. I loved the collaboration between Ilyasah Shabazz (Malcolm’s and Betty Shabazz’s daughter) and Tiffany D. Jackson. It was interesting to read that phase of Malcolm’s life that lead him on the path that brought him success, the struggles, the questions, the doubt. The flashbacks in the book were equally interesting as they gave the readers a peak into his childhood and his family, especially after his father’s death. Also, I loved the authors’ note. Not only it states that they have taken a few liberties with the story, but also tells when and where. Remarkably, the authors included family letters, and historical information of both the prisons. This book makes me want to research further on Civil Rights, and BLM movements.

WHAT I DISLIKED: None

READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE: Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renee Watson; Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson.

Thank you to Farrar, Straus, and Giroux for an advanced copy of this book to review! I saw a few advertisements for it, and I was super excited to read it. It's an in-depth look at Malcolm X's young adult years, told in a way that makes his life more relatable to teenagers.

While this book is a sequel, it can definitely be read on its own. We piece together Malcolm X's past with flashbacks and dreams that Malcolm has when he was in prison. His story is a familiar one; he finds books and Islam in prison. We get to see how he transforms into the Malcolm X we're most familiar with. Overall, we get to see how rigged the system is against Black people and the way that Malcolm wants to fight against the system.

In addition, it's easy to see research was done on the topic. However, this doesn't take away from the story. There is a good mix of history, personal details from Malcolm X, and just enough fiction woven in. The topic is also timely, relating to the Black Lives Matter movement that's still happening in the United States.

This book would be a great addition to any classroom or library.

What a powerful book. The words brought forth the author’s integral message. Malcom X will always be an influential person in history.

Given how much I admire Jackson and her writing, I was a bit disappointed with this one. I thought that perhaps it was because the majority of the story takes place when Malcolm is in prison - not my favorite setting no matter what the medium - and that's certainly part of it, but I think what I'm left with more than anything is a lack of a sense of how Malcolm really feels about anything. Perhaps it's better to say that I didn't feel along with him. I was detached from him as a character during moments that should have prompted strong feelings - another inmate's execution, Malcolm's time in solitary confinement, finding in place a new religion - felt like they were happening to a secondary character rather than the protagonist.

Despite that, I think that stories that humanize a man who has been and still is villainized by history are absolutely valuable.. And just because I - a white woman with all measure of privilege that Malcolm was never afforded - don't relate doesn't mean that there aren't scores of young men and women who will and who deserve to read this story.

This book is moves at a great pace, the dialogue is appropriate for the era, and the first person point of view gives readers a great perspective of Malcolm's experience. I believe this is going to be a great book for educators and librarians to read and discuss with students. I just reviewed The Awakening of Malcolm X by Ilyasah Shabazz; Tiffany D. Jackson. #NetGalley

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review. The Awakening of Malcolm X is beautifully written, making the reader feel both the heartaches and losses suffered in prison, as well as the warmth of the happier memories Malcolm looks back upon. One thing I really enjoyed about this read is the research it prompted me to do on my own about Malcolm, his family, and the history of Islam. The pace of the story as a whole was a little slow for my liking, but overall I highly recommend The Awakening of Malcolm X!

As a forever learner, I loved this novel. I've done my fair share of research on Civil Rights and those who paved the way but regrettably, I have never done much research on Malcolm X. This novel gave me insight into his live and his background. I was always taught in public school that he was the antithesis of MLK and that he was an extremist but after reading this novel, I realized this wasn't necessarily the case. As an English teacher, I can definitely see myself integrating this into my curriculum. This novel is a must-read for all students and for people who want to learn more about Civil Rights leaders.

The follow up to X, The Awakening of Malcolm X tells the story of Malcolm’s time in prison. Throughout his time in two very different prisons, Malcolm is introduced to the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam movement.

The story of Malcolm’s awakening is told through flashbacks to his childhood and the things he learned from his parents and their friend Marcus Garvey. Its shows how Malcolm was able to combine these teachings with what he saw in prison and what was happening in the US in the late 1940s and early 1950s. All of these things combined is what made Malcolm X who he was.

I really appreciated the heavy focus on Malcolm’s love for reading and how learning about his history empowered him.

The Awakening of Malcolm X is just as powerful as its predecessor and I just feel so fortunate that we’re able to have these books written by Malcolm’s daughter herself.

Thanks to Netgalley for an early copy of this book!

Really loved this book. It’s an illuminating look into Malcolm X’s time in prison and the significant shifts he made in his own life, that eventually went on to impact so many others. Makes me want to go reread The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Recommended for teens and adults.

The Awakening of Malcom X asks questions about the unfairness of the injustice system, a society that looks at black men as criminals without a second glance. How the justice systems turns these men into non-human entities. How all these men need is an accusation, being in the wrong place, to have their existence questioned. And even though slavery was abolished, they've never been free. The release of this book is even more timely considering 2020's Black Lives Matter protests that have re-incited these conversations.

I will admit, my knowledge of Malcolm X is basic. But this was an eye opening book! I cannot wait to get it in the hands of my students. To see the portion of Malcolm’s life that lead him on the path that brought him success, the struggles, the questions, the doubt. To see his time in jail woven with his life before was beautifully done. The story flowed, I was hooked, and I feel more informed after reading it. Well done.

In Betty Before X, Ilyasah Shabazz successfully teamed with Renée Watson to tell about the life of Shazazz’s famous mother. The co-authors effectively recounted Betty’s childhood and teen years as they were impacted by the particular flavor of racism post World War ll. Now Shabazz, working with Tiffany D. Jackson, takes a chunk of her father’s life and factionalizes it for young readers.

The aptly named Awakening introduces readers not quite ready to tackle the length and complexity of Alex Haley’s The Autobiography of Malcolm X to Malcolm’s time in prison during a large chunk of his twenties. Opening with Malcolm’s betrayal at his trial by the white woman who he thought was in love with him, though the despair and brutality of prison, readers see the way that prisons continue and double down on racist policies and practices. Flashbacks to Malcolm’s earlier life pave the way for Malcom’s willingness to hear what his siblings have to say about the importance of following Elijah Muhammad, connecting the teachings of the Nation of Islam with the Garveyite beliefs of their father.

Malcolm’s interactions with other inmates show the anger, despair, resignation, and self-hatred that are all responses to incarceration, and these men are all part of
Malcolm’s struggle to form his own identity. Although Malcolm lamented his lack of a formal education, his self-education, starting with copying the dictionary, continues to inspire and encourage. In a nice touch, the book concludes when Malcom meets Betty.

Don’t miss the notes in the back that explain more about the sources; the book is especially enriched by the inclusion of family letters. I’m still struggling with how to describe books that are mostly biography but have factionalized some aspects - this excellent story is a good opportunity for teachers and librarians to have that conversation with readers. EARC from NetGalley.

Teens will appreciate this novel inspired by Malcolm X’s early adulthood. Much of the action takes place in prison, where Malcolm spent six years after being convicted of larceny. Flashbacks allow the reader to fill in the gaps of his childhood with his brothers and sisters after his father’s death when he was six. The first half of Malcolm’s prison sentence is marked by extreme anger and depression. Slowly, he starts listening to his family’s exhortations to open himself up to faith, and he eventually joins the Nation of Islam, shedding the name Malcolm Little and becoming Malcolm X.

The collaboration between the civil rights activist’s daughter Ilyasah Shabazz and popular young adult author Tiffany D. Jackson results in a successful balance of intimacy and edginess. A note and timeline from Shabazz round the offering out and allow readers to better separate facts from fiction.

Overall, an engaging introduction to an influential figure, and one that will inspire students to learn more.

Thanks to Farrar Straus Giroux and NetGalley for the electronic ARC.

Very engaging read...honestly couldn’t put it down. Having Tiffany Jackson as co-author has much to do with that since she writes for tv and her novels jump from the page with compelling dialogue. I was glad to read in the author’s note that some liberties were taken with the story, but the authors state where and how. It is a larger-than-life tribute, but the ode definitely makes the reader thirst for more information on Malcolm X at the end. The book also highlights the penal system and juxtaposes reformative justice against punitive. Historical information on the two prisons is also included in the end notes and begs further reading.