Reviews

The Awakening of Malcolm X by Tiffany D. Jackson, Ilyasah Shabazz

peachew's review against another edition

emotional informative fast-paced

4.25

wuxian31's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

tinynavajo's review

5.0

Fictionalization of the years that Malcolm X spent in jail, written by his daughter, we see the process through which Malcolm Little became Malcolm X. I don't know much about Malcolm X, other than what was taught in my high school classes and that wasn't much. I also didn't seek out much information about him after I graduated. I knew that he was a powerful figure and ally in the Civil Rights Movement and that he was a powerful speaker. But reading and learning more about him through this book, I can see how much I have missed out knowing about this man who became the voice for the Nation of Islam. And it's fascinating!

I want and NEED to read more about him as well as read his own work as well! I need to know more about this man who was a hustler before jail, but became an eloquent speaker and a powerful speaker while in jail and after he left. What changes did he make and how did this influence his life?!

jwinchell's review

4.0

This is a fascinating look into the awakening of Malcolm X as a leader of the Nation of Islam. It tells the story of his freewheeling days in Boston and Harlem and some about his childhood. Those flashbacks are always connected to the present, his imprisonment. Malcolm was recruited to the NOI by his brothers, which I did not know. He used his time in prison to read and debate and correspond with Elijah Muhammad. Now I want to read X and Betty Before X. Recommended to anyone who wants to learn more about this.endlessly fascinating man.

maralyons's review

5.0

The Awakening of Malcolm X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Tiffany D. Jackson is a compelling and masterfully told story about the formative time he spent in prison during his early adulthood that shaped his path. We first meet Malcolm Little as a young man, hustling and trying to make a good life for himself in Harlem and Roxbury (Boston). He gets caught up in a scheme in Boston and is sentenced to spend 8 years at Charlestown Prison. The book is largely about the time he spent in prison, but flashbacks of his childhood give you glimpses into his childhood and family life. Despite that he was separated from his family, his siblings continued to play a huge role in his life. He ultimately learns to make the most of his time, reading everything, thinking deeply, and engaging with others. His membership in the Nation of Islam helps guide him and cement his thinking. So many topics are covered that echo in our society today: systemic racism and inequity, white supremacy, abuse of power, prison reform, civil rights, etc. I listened to the audiobook, which is deftly narrated by Landon Woodson. As this is the second book in a YA series about Malcolm X, I sincerely hope the next book picks up where this story ends. I can’t wait to read about his life as a young minister and activist. This is a phenomenal book about Malcolm X’s emotional and intellectual journey as a young man. Highly recommended!

Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group / Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

zbrarian's review

4.0

The path Malcolm LIttle had to take to “reawaken” as Malcolm X and embrace the Nation of Islam, was sprinkled with small, meaningful, sometimes nightmare-ish, Easter Eggs, one of which burst open at his lowest moment. This story was a well written, fictionalized version of his awakening by his own daughter Ilyasah Shabazz. The book explored many important issues, such as race, the justice system and prison reform. I liked how the story went back and forth from his tough upbringing, by a single mother with seven children to his rough and tumble teen years, and his time spent in prison. This would be a great book for history classes.

jwelchreads's review

informative inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

zizi822's review

emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

mallen8509's review

5.0

In The Awakening of Malcolm X, we meet him minutes before he's sent to prison. ⁣
⁣
Throughout the book, we go back in time to learn about Malcolm X's past. ⁣
⁣
The flashbacks are great for readers who haven't read his autobiography because they give readers the background information they need to understand who Malcolm X was before we went to prison.⁣
⁣
And the ending was perfect, because it was just the beginning. ⁣
⁣
If this book is your introduction to Malcolm X, it will leave you wanting more. ⁣
⁣
His daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz and Tiffany D. Jackson did a phenomenal job putting this novel together. ⁣Just wow.❤

iantrevor's review

4.0

I had the pleasure of getting this audiobook ARC (AHC?) from Libro.fm.

The narrative is engaging and the writing is solid. For the audiobook, the narration is also excellent. This book, for me, is 4.5/5. There are a few points where the narrative strays from the historical consensus, but the authors discuss that in the post-script.

This is an accessible look at the biography of Malcolm X for readers you and old alike.