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

4.0

Malcolm Little believes his white girlfriend, Sophia, will be the witness to keep him from going to jail for robbery. Instead, she’s the witness for the prosecution that put him in jail for 8-10 years. When Malcolm arrives at Charlestown State Prison, he is frustrated, angry, and hurt. During his first few years, he avoids his family and creates problems for himself, trying to figure out how to find his way in prison. When he begins reading, and thus learning, however, his eyes begin to open to the world around him, as well as a possible future.

I plan to share some of the excepts about the importance of reading with my students. So powerful! Though much of this book is based on historical research, the author took some liberties and changed some information, making this a novel. I’d rather read nonfiction.