Reviews

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

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liblibby's review against another edition

dark informative inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.0

This book ended right when I felt like I was really getting into what was happening in Malcolm’s life. It definitely inspires me to read more.

effy's review

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective 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

4.75

A really intriguing look at Malcolm X's time in prison where he discovered his faith.

boomeraang's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

One of the great things about this novel is its portrayal of Malcolm X. He's not just a historical figure from a textbook - he's a nuanced and passionate young man with a supportive family. I loved hearing about his insecurities, his struggles being a black man in America, his journey to discovering Islam, etc. from a first-person perspective. There aren't many pieces of art that portray him as human and as vulnerable as he is in this novel (at least, in my experience).

My favorite thing about this novel is that it's a young adult book. It covers many issues like mass incarceration, the prison industrial complex, etc. - all concepts that I wish I knew about at a much younger age. I really hope this book becomes more popular, so more young people can read it.

stephskees's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

sidbookreviews's review against another edition

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challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Awakening of Malcolm X is an impactful and reflective historical fiction book that I think did an amazing job of exploring the (fictionalized) thoughts and transformation of Malcolm X during his years in prison. The writing in this book is especially moving and perfectly conveys the full range of emotions, from the atrocities of prison to the spiritual awakening. I also loved the Malcolm X quotes at the start of each chapter, which I think really tied the specific chapters to Malcolm X's later work. This book is certainly sure to leave readers of all ages inspired, curious and eager to further explore Malcolm X's work! I highly recommend this one!

Full review to come on my blog.

Content Warnings

sailormoon19's review against another edition

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challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

strawberry_paper's review against another edition

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informative reflective 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? It's complicated

3.5

Shabazz, Ilyasah & Jackson, Tiffany D. The Awakening of Malcolm X, Jan. 2021. 336p. Macmillan/Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $17.99. (9780374313296). Grades 6-12.

Written by one of his daughters, Ilyasah Shabazz, and the author Tiffany D. Jackson, The Awakening of Malcolm X is a young adult fiction novel about the life of Malcolm X during his time in prison. In the 1940’s, a young Malcolm is sentenced to eight to ten years in prison after stealing a watch. In prison, he experiences firsthand the violence of the prison industrial complex. Readers follow Malcolm in the first-person in his early years as an incarcerated Black man, and on his journey of self-education and self-rediscovery despite these obstacles.

This time in Malcolm’s life is made accessible to the young adult reader, with themes that are relevant to their lives including the question of identity, belonging, worth, and purpose. Shabazz depicts Malcolm’s distrust and anger and his jaded attitude toward all religions and his future at the start of the novel. Readers will relate to the conflicting societal messages Malcolm receives, and reflect on issues of race and inequity that continue to present day. As the story moves forward, Malcolm is transferred to another prison, where he is empowered and motivated to find his truth through books and self-reflection. The violent experiences in prison are not sugar coated: like the way prisoners are kept in solitary confinement for extended periods of time, prison guards using slurs and physical violence, and the description of the inhumane cells the prisoners stay in.

As the story is set in prison, most of the characters around Malcolm are prisoners as well, and are predominantly Black. His family is featured prominently in the story, with his siblings and parents interweaving in the narrative with flashbacks from his life as a child. It is the Black characters that have a positive effect on his life. There is a range of personalities that are well-developed and multi-dimensional, even when the characters that appear only for a short time. White characters are mostly authority figures, with some white prisoners who appear later in the book. Though many white characters are primarily depicted negatively, their representation is not overdone; instead, the descriptions of these characters is an accurate portrayal of how Malcolm may have experienced his interactions with whites throughout his time in prison. As the work seeks to accurately capture racism and Malcolm’s experiences, the n-word is used openly throughout the book.

A significant part of Malcolm’s identity, and large part of his change seen in the novel, comes from his introduction to the religion of Islam and the Nation of Islam (NOI) in particular. Shabazz does not go into much detail about the tenets of the NOI; she just includes basic religious principles and beliefs that provide necessary context for the reader. The inclusion of religion, and Malcolm’s understanding of it, never becomes preachy. It serves only to bring to life Malcolm’s evolution, and the NOI’s role in that time of his life. The foreshadowing of possible conflict of the NOI in Malcolm’s life is also there, but no outright criticism.

Overall, The Awakening of Malcolm X is an essential read for those looking to learn about Malcolm’s story and the important voices of the Civil Rights Movement in an accessible way. Readers are provided with an inspirational yet truthful presentation of how circumstances, support, and self-motivation may push us out of feelings of darkness or being lost.

//Original review from Hijabi Librarians: https://hijabilibrarians.com/archives/2170 //

harper_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

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

4.0

In this fictionalized biography of Malcom X's young adult life, written by his daughter, narrator Landon Woodson brings deep emotion to a man whose youth was fraught with injustice. Woodson transitions smoothly between Malcom's childhood/teens and his early 20s, evoking both the desperation and hope of a young Black man who could no longer stand for the unjust treatment of his people. Through vivid depictions of his brutal incarceration and the historically accurate use of racial slurs, Woodson expresses the emotions of men who were treated unjustly, bringing their shared humanity to the forefront. An interview with Shabazz and Woodson at the end of the audiobook provides added perspective to both story and narration

jerseyfemme's review

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medium-paced

3.0

davdsalas98's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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