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thebeesknees79's review against another edition
5.0
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.
clairewrobel's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
3.0
learntodream's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
5.0
sapphicreads64's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
abookandacup's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-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
5.0
bookhound112's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
kdekoster's review against another edition
5.0
If you're starting and it feels slow, keep going. When Malcolm reaches his awakening... holy smokes, I couldn't put it down. **This is a tiny spoiler: after they won their first debate and his teacher/prison superintendent Winslow tried to claim him as "one of their brightest stars," Malcolm's response sparked an awakening in me: "Sir, with all due respect, I was shaped long before I arrived here."
Malcolm's family, from the way his mother raised him to the way his siblings all moved to be near him in prison + so many more examples was truly remarkable.
The vaccine testing at Norfolk prison!
***Another spoiler: When Malcolm had himself sent back to Charlestown because he knew his brothers there were not free - what greater love is there?
------
"The sight of a broken Chucky sends shock waves through Charlestown. He was kept in the hole the longest of any prisoner we know. A record fifteen months in solitary confinement. [...] Chucky spent less time overseas fighting in the war. I tell him he is a descendent of refined and industrious kings who lived under the sun and beside beautiful oceans, who wore clothes of silk and slippers of gold. I whisper to him, "You are one of God's favorite kings, brother. You are one of God's favorites.""
Malcolm's family, from the way his mother raised him to the way his siblings all moved to be near him in prison + so many more examples was truly remarkable.
The vaccine testing at Norfolk prison!
***Another spoiler: When Malcolm had himself sent back to Charlestown because he knew his brothers there were not free - what greater love is there?
------
"The sight of a broken Chucky sends shock waves through Charlestown. He was kept in the hole the longest of any prisoner we know. A record fifteen months in solitary confinement. [...] Chucky spent less time overseas fighting in the war. I tell him he is a descendent of refined and industrious kings who lived under the sun and beside beautiful oceans, who wore clothes of silk and slippers of gold. I whisper to him, "You are one of God's favorite kings, brother. You are one of God's favorites.""
vwlibrarian's review
4.0
Thank you to libro.fm and the publisher, I was able to listen to the ALC of this book. I found it very interesting to learn about Malcolm X and how his experience in prison awoke him to his calling in life. I knew about his legacy, but I really didn't know anything about his past before listening to this book. His calling to the Islamic religion was inspiring, but, I am upset about where his relationship with his brother Reginald, who led him to the religion in the first place, was left off. I would recommend this book to high school students, especially those who are interested in Black history.
seh221's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
THE AWAKENING OF MALCOLM X is the story of young Malcom Little in his young adulthood before he becomes Malcom X. As a young adult, he is sentenced to 8-10 years in prison. During his time there, he struggles with putting together the pieces of who he is supposed to be, ultimately reading countless books in the prison library, connecting with the Nation of Islam, and becoming the man we know as Malcolm X.
This book was a bit of a departure from what I typically read (first person perspective, historical fiction), and I'm so glad I picked this one up. It's a powerful narrative that not only taught me more about Malcolm X, a figure I didn't learn nearly enough about in school, while also reflecting struggles we still see in the USA today. I really appreciated the weaving of the past and Malcom's father and the present in the prison narrative.
I want to especially highlight the audiobook performance of Landon Woodson, who gives an incredibly dynamic and thrilling performance. I'm not sure if I've heard a better audio performance, and I highly recommend listening to it.
All in all, this is a highly worthwhile read, and one that I'd wholeheartedly recommend to YA and adult readers alike.
This book was a bit of a departure from what I typically read (first person perspective, historical fiction), and I'm so glad I picked this one up. It's a powerful narrative that not only taught me more about Malcolm X, a figure I didn't learn nearly enough about in school, while also reflecting struggles we still see in the USA today. I really appreciated the weaving of the past and Malcom's father and the present in the prison narrative.
I want to especially highlight the audiobook performance of Landon Woodson, who gives an incredibly dynamic and thrilling performance. I'm not sure if I've heard a better audio performance, and I highly recommend listening to it.
All in all, this is a highly worthwhile read, and one that I'd wholeheartedly recommend to YA and adult readers alike.
lindsay_loves_literature's review against another edition
5.0
The Awakening of Malcolm X follows Malcolm during his time in prison - we see the despair of Malcolm Little transform into the strength of Malcolm X. Stories from his past are expertly weaved into the narrative of his time in prison. I enjoyed the emphasis this book placed on his family and the important role they played in his life. We watch has he becomes empowered by the books he reads, the conversations he has with his siblings and fellow inmates, and the solace he finds through joining the Nation of Islam.
While some of my personal enjoyment was due to the background knowledge I had from reading his autobiography, I loved the deeper look at his time in prison that this book provides. However, this would also be a great place to start for those just learning about the life of this great man.
While some of my personal enjoyment was due to the background knowledge I had from reading his autobiography, I loved the deeper look at his time in prison that this book provides. However, this would also be a great place to start for those just learning about the life of this great man.